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Do you know that water temperature is usually regulated in Brisbane, Australia? This is something that most people in the country don't know. Most people use water temperatures they feel comfortable with when taking baths, washing dishes, clothes, and other uses.
Hot water temperature is also a preference made possible by a tweak of cold and hot taps.
Knowing the recommended temperatures in Brisbane, Australia is vital to avoid problems that might occur if you use water at higher temperatures than is recommended. This article looks at Brisbane's recommended hot water temperature and the proper safety measures you could take in your commercial or residential property.
What Is Water Temperature?
Water temperature refers to the physical property indicating how cold or hot water is. Since the terms cold and hot are arbitrary, the water temperature could also be viewed as the measurement of the average thermal energy of a substance. Thermal energy refers to the kinetic energy of molecules and atoms.
This means that temperature measures the molecules and atoms' average kinetic energy. The energy is transferred between substances as heat flows. Heat transfer coming from sunlight and air could also alter the water temperature.
Why Water Temperature is Crucial
Temperature is a critical factor to consider when assessing your water quality. It also affects other parameters, including your water's chemical and physical properties. It also plays a vital role in determining whether the water source is suitable for human use and consumption. Water temperature should be considered when determining the following:
- Salinity and conductivity
- Compound toxicity
- Water density
- pH
Why Water Temperature Is Regulated in Australia
Water temperature is regulated in Brisbane, Australia to protect people, especially the most vulnerable, from accidents such as scalding. For instance, older adults, the disabled, and children are at a high risk of third-degree burns.
This is mainly because they might be unable to regulate the water temperatures when using different appliances at home. Hot water scalds could potentially cause severe injuries within a microsecond. Hot water could also cause life-threatening shock, making the regulations necessary.
With the dangers and risks involved in using unregulated water temperatures, Brisbane's state and local authorities have set regulations on the recommended water temperatures you should use on your property.
Water Temperature Regulations in Brisbane, Australia
One of the most vital things to note is that water temperature regulations usually differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but most have similar regulations. Here is a summary of the recommended water temperatures in the country.
50 degrees Celsius
This is the most recommended water temperature in all jurisdictions in Brisbane, Australia. The recommendation applies to the maximum temperature of your shower head, hot bath tap, hand basins, and bidets. This temperature allows you to enjoy a lovely bath without any risk of burns or other injuries.
45 degrees Celsius
This is an exception to the 50 degrees Celsius water temperature regulation. For vulnerable Australians in aged care facilities, patient care areas, early childhood centres, or schools, the maximum set temperature should be 45 degrees Celsius.
60 degrees Celsius
The actual temperature in your hot water systems should be maintained at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius. This temperature ensures that no harmful bacteria grow in your hot water system, as it could lead to diseases.
Hot Water Safety Checklist
The water temperature regulations are set to ensure you don't get injuries from scalding. However, it is also vital to ensure that you put the necessary safety measures in place to protect both yourself and your family from the risks of hot water.
You could apply many tips to guarantee the safety of the hot water you use to wash your dishes, bath, and others in your home or business. Here are some of these hot water safety tips.
Regular hot water system inspection
One of the most effective ways to guarantee that you don't get scalding from hot water is to ensure that a professional inspects your hot water system regularly. A licensed plumber could check your system and ensure it meets all the critical safety standards.
Regular inspection and maintenance also ensure that problems are detected before escalating into something more severe that could cause a safety threat to your home.
Protect your children from hot water
Another essential precaution is ensuring your children are protected against hot water injuries. This mainly involves keeping your kids away from your hot water system. You could supervise young children when using different appliances to ensure they don't get scalded by hot water from the system.
Important devices to install
Installing anti-scald devices could also protect you from scalding by hot water. These devices are designed to help reduce scalding risks and should be installed where possible in your home. Another helpful device in preventing hot water injuries is the thermostatic mixing valve.
These valves help regulate the output of your hot water heater and reduce the risk of scalding in your home. You could contact your plumber to install either of the devices for you professionally.
Recommended hot water tank temperature
The recommended minimum temperature of your hot water tank should be 60 degrees. However, the water temperature delivered to your taps should not exceed 50 degrees. As mentioned before, the temperature should be set at 60 degrees to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria inside the tank.
Thus, you should ensure that your water heater heats the water in the storage tank correctly. Whether your tank is fueled by electricity, solar or gas, the water heater should be regularly serviced by a plumber to maintain this temperature and a high level of performance.
Other installations
There are other installations to consider that could help enhance hot water safety in your home. For instance, you could install a tankless water heater that offers improved output temperature control.
You could also install a sealed combustion water heater that allows outside venting of gases. Both effectively minimise the risks of hot water injuries in your home.
Hot water temperature control valve
Installing a hot water temperature control valve also helps avoid injuries from hot water. This device facilitates mixing hot water from your hot water tank with cold water to ensure the correct water temperature is delivered to all your fixtures, such as baths, showers, and vanities.
The valve regulates water temperature by ensuring that it does not go beyond 50 degrees, which prevents scalding. Additionally, the valve keeps the water in the tank above 60 degrees Celsius to ensure legionella bacteria and germs don't grow in your hot water tank. These are the recommended temperatures stipulated by Brisbane regulations, so knowing how to adjust the valve is vital.
The hot water temperature valve is installed outside your hot water tank between the cold and hot water lines. The cold water flows from your water supply via the inlet valve and moves to the hot water tempering valve. The tempered water is then released to the different fixtures in your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry taps.
There are various types of valves that you could install on your property. Although they all play a similar role, they work differently. The correct tempering valve depends on your size and type of hot water system. Consequently, working with your plumber is critical to help you choose the right kind of tempering valve to install.
Need Help With Your Hot Water Temperatures?
If you need help maintaining the recommended water temperature, working with an expert plumber in your locality is the best option. These plumbers are equipped with the knowledge to set the recommended temperature for all your appliances. They could also inspect your hot water system to ensure it works effectively in generating the correct water temperatures.
Additionally, they could help install hot water temperature control devices. These professionals could also help you with any other issue affecting your water system or any other plumbing problem on your property.
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