The code identifications and the particular model code adopted for each state in the US
are shown in Plate 5. The number of states that have adopted each
particular model code are 17 IPC, 14 UPC, 10 SBCCI ( or IPC), 5 NSPC, 3 special state
codes, and I state, Ohio, with a modified IPC.
We have surveyed a large number of special state codes in the US, such as requirements
for educational facilities, nursing homes, health departments, hospitals, mental rehab
centers, adult day care, etc. The results give an average mandated maximum hot water
supply temperature of 120 degrees F for the 32 special regulations surveyed.
We made another survey of various standards, specifications, and guidelines from
various standards associations. The results gave an average recommended maximum hot water
supply temperature of 116 degrees F for the 69 associations surveyed.
The short summary of Federal Regs is given in Plate 6.
allowable hot water temperature given here is 112 deg F.
The ACA (American Correction Association) standard of minimum 100 F and maximum 120 F
is used by most states for regulation of maximum hot water temperature in jails and
prisons. Some exceptions include Texas and Michigan at I 10 F, and the lowest is
California at 105 F. Note that the pain threshold while showering is normally a mixed
water temperature of about 106 F.
Reasons for these prison regulations are that a couple of inmates could hold another
prisoner under excessively hot water and torture or kill their target. This is because the
normal comfortable temperature for bathing or showering is about 100 F. And a person
should never jump into a spa or hot tub with water temperature over about 102 F, because
with greater temperatures, any latent heart problems can be exacerbated by heart
fibrillation from the shock and trauma.
Burns
