WA Hot Water Compliance & Tempering Valve Installation

Understanding WA Hot Water Regulations

Western Australia has specific regulations governing hot water systems to protect residents from scalding and harmful bacteria. Understanding and complying with these regulations is important for safety and, in some cases, legal compliance.

We help Perth homeowners and property owners ensure their hot water systems meet current WA requirements.

The Key Regulations

Water Storage Temperature

Hot water must be stored at a minimum of 60°C in the storage tank. This temperature is necessary to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria, which can cause serious illness.

Water Delivery Temperature

Hot water delivered to bathroom outlets (basins, showers, baths) must not exceed 50°C. This prevents scalding, particularly important for protecting children, elderly residents, and people with reduced sensitivity.

How This Is Achieved

A tempering valve (also called a mixing valve) is installed to blend cold water with the hot water from the tank, reducing the temperature at bathroom outlets while maintaining safe storage temperatures.

Kitchen and laundry outlets are typically not restricted and can receive water at storage temperature.

Tempering Valve Installation

What Is a Tempering Valve?

A tempering valve is a thermostatically controlled mixing valve that automatically blends hot and cold water to achieve a safe, consistent delivery temperature. It responds to changes in supply temperatures to maintain the set output temperature.

Installation Requirements

In WA, tempering valves must be:

• Installed by a licensed plumber
• Compliant with AS 4032.1 and AS/NZS 3500
• Set to deliver water at 50°C or less
• Accessible for maintenance and testing

When Tempering Valves Are Required

Current WA regulations require tempering valves for:

• New residential buildings
• Substantial renovations
• Replacement of hot water systems (in some cases)
• Childcare centres and similar facilities

Many older homes without tempering valves are not legally non-compliant, but installing one is a sensible safety upgrade.

Compliance for Property Sales

When selling a property in WA:

• There’s no mandatory hot water compliance inspection
• Buyers may request compliance checks during due diligence
• Non-compliant systems may affect negotiations
• Proactive compliance can smooth the sale process

We can inspect and upgrade your hot water system before listing, providing documentation of compliance for potential buyers.

Compliance for Rental Properties

Landlords have obligations to ensure rental properties are safe:

• Hot water systems must function safely
• Scalding risks should be addressed
• Maintenance must be conducted appropriately
• Compliance with building standards at time of construction

We help landlords meet their obligations with compliance inspections and upgrades.

Our Compliance Services

Compliance Inspection

We inspect your hot water system and delivery temperatures, identifying any gaps with current regulations and best practices.

Tempering Valve Installation

We supply and install quality tempering valves, properly set and tested to deliver safe water temperatures.

System Upgrades

If your system requires additional work to meet compliance, we can advise and quote on necessary upgrades.

Documentation

We provide appropriate documentation of work completed, useful for property sales, rental compliance, and your own records.

Why Compliance Matters

Beyond legal requirements, compliance protects your family:

• Scalding prevention: Hot water scalds are a common household injury, particularly affecting children and elderly
• Bacteria control: Proper storage temperatures prevent dangerous bacterial growth
• Peace of mind: Knowing your system is safe and compliant

Don’t wait for an incident to address hot water safety. Contact us for a compliance assessment today.