Posted By Penfold Can anyone point me in the right direction to answer the question "how hot should hand washing water be without scalding?" I have come across a couple of situations where 'boiling' hot water has come out of a tap. Thanks if you can help

Posted By Chas For legionella purposes HSE recommend 50 degrees C. Where there is a risk of scalding eg in care homes, HSE recommend 44 degrees C although this can vary. Look at the link below. http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/79-5.htm

Posted By Colin Reeves Chris There are two conflicting requirements here. 40 degrees is in the prime range for legionella to multiply. Therefore a tap supplying water at this temperature is liable to contamination, although nice healthy skin!! The only way to avoid either one or the other problem is, as you say, to uses a mixer tap. However, these need to be used regularly to ensure that the water is regularly flushed through the mixer part. Colin

Posted By Ian Blenkharn And should be capable of delivering suitably warm (or hot - take your pick) water within seconds of activation. Few people will wait more than a few seconds for hot water comes through the tap! As everyone knows, few taps can do this and the temptation is to wash hands immediately and in water that is too cold. Two problems with this. Water in the hot supply pipe rarely heats adequately in the length from the calorifier because flow is inadequate. Secondly, there are problems using many hand wash preparations in water that is too cold. Cleansing can be inadequate in cold water, especialy if handwashing is more a cursory rinse than a more effective wash, and there is published evidence that residues are left on skin in water that is too cold (though it may be that temperature hans an effect on users approach to washing and riunsing).

Posted By Bob Thompson CMIOSH the hella recommends 45 degrees as a maximum especially for total immersion eg showers baths. in reality we settled at thermostatically controlled water at 43 Degrees you will always get people complaining that this is too cold but you cant please everyone. Bob

Posted By Chas Chris, I think you will find that HSE document L8 recommends 50 degrees C at the outlet within 1 minute of turning on the tap. Whilst this may not be great for the skin it is better for legionella control purposes. Agreed, TMV's are probably the best way for satisfying the potential dilema between scalding and legionella control.

Posted By Chris L It's worth remembering that should you ever be up before the beak over such a matter you will need to prove that you either followed the guidance in the ACOP (L8), or be able to prove that your methods were equal to or better than that. I know what I'd prefer. Incidentally it's my opinion (and only that) that where grown adults are also supplied with a cold feed and a plug, they should be more than capable of mixing down the supplied 50C water to a comfortable level. Obviously TMV's are essential for vulnerable groups, but they bring their own maintenance issues & responsibilities. If your building allows, go for a point of use (POU) water heater and you can set it as low as you like. But if you're storing volumes of hot water, than it should be stored at 60C and circulated at 50C unless you have other forms of water treatment (Sliver, UV) and you are confident that they are working.

Posted By Penfold Once again, thanks for the comments. The advice I have given is either a mixer tap, or a plug in basin. Hot water stays between 50 - 55 degrees (kill legionella), and place a hot water sticker next to the hot tap.