Excessively hot tap water supply is extremely dangerous and at temperatures above 115 -
120 F can in an unimaginable short period of time result in serious or fatal scald burn
injuries. These burns causes horrendous injuries often requiring extensive hospital time
for multiple excisement of necrotic tissue, debridements, skin grafts, multiple plastic
surgeries, therapy, and counseling for extended periods of time. The required medical care
is prolonged and expensive, and the usual ensuing litigation is time consuming and
expensive to the clients of defense attorneys, and all of this need not be.
ASPE may have the capability to alleviate all this pain, suffering, and unnecessary
expense. We know that we have not been eloquent enough here. But surely there are others
within ASPE and in the industry that could take appropriate steps to improve hot water
heater design and to furnish informational and training materials to plumbing engineers,
plumbing contractors, plumbers, owners, leasing agents, and maintenance personnel. That so
the horrendous problems described here can be put to rest, not in a grave, but in a gain
of societal benefits.
Burns
