Water tempering, commercial & industrial

Auckland’s commercial plumbers, Topline are the professionals in commercial and industrial water tempering services. Our licensed plumbers offer expert advice, combining up-to-date industry training on the latest water tempering technology backed by experience.

Note: Hot water temperature regulations updated Nov 2023 - see more below

Do you have a problem with hot water temperature? From a hot water mixing valve device, thermostatic mixing valve or tempering valve system, we can help.

We also offer residential water tempering services – find out more >

Signs the water tempering control is failing

• Water delivery temperature is hotter or colder than normal
• Spiking or diving temperature during operation (noticeable when showering)
• Low water pressure
• Constant dripping from hot outlet

Why hot water temperature settings are essential

Hot water temperature is an essential element in the health and safety of facilities and namely the occupants. According to the NZ building code the legal requirement for buildings is to have hot water stored above 60°C temperature and delivered at tap level at 40-50°C depending on the environment. *

Hot water temperature regulation is required for the safety of all. These settings help protect against harmful microbes and bacteria such as legionella surviving in water and reduce risk of scalding burns at tap level, particularly important for those most vulnerable to burns such as children and elderly. _{* Variations apply – more below.}

Did you know it only takes a second for a third degree burn to occur after exposure to scalding hot water?

Plumber for tempering valve issues, Auckland

Water tempering services by Topline include:

• Inspection of hot water systems
• Servicing thermostatic temperature valves and tempering valves
• Maintenance of valves and thermostats
• Repair of tempering valves
• Upgrading water tempering systems
• Replacement of tempering valves including supply and installation 
• Expert advice on when to repair, maintenance or replacement of a tempering valve or thermostatic mixing valve.

How commercial hot water temperature is Controlled

Commercial grade hot water mixing valves known as water tempering valves TM or thermostatic mixing valves TMV, are responsible for mixing cold water with hot to control hot water temperature. These devices can vary according to the hot water system and whether it is a large-scale or smaller application.

• Commercial Grade Tempering Valves or TV
  TV’s are used in residential and commercial environments. They work by mixing cold water in with the hot at the valve inlet connected into the pipework so the outlet is the controlled (reduced) temperature.
  
  
• Commercial Grade Thermostatic Mixing Valves or TMV
  TMV’s are more common in commercial and industrial plumbing. They are more costly but will last longer and are more likely to be repaired rather than replaced. They respond quicker to temperature changes and can withstand higher loads.

types of water tempering IN commercial plumbing

• Circulation Loop Valve – One set temperature
  This is generally a larger size tempering valve located with the hot water system in a plant room where the entire hot water supply is tempered to the set delivery temperature and pumped around the building. E.g. a hotel or apartment.
  
  
• Zoning mixing Valves – Varied according to area
  This is where a tempering valve is installed to control the hot water delivery to a particular area of a building that may require different temperatures. E.g. a zoning mixing valve would be installed in a ceiling hatch in a restaurant bathroom supplying a row of 6x hand wash basins, but they still have an untempered hot water supply to the kitchen of 60+°C for sanitation and cleaning purposes.
  
  
• Point of discharge valve – Fixture or system specific
  This is where the valve is installed right at the fixture its controlling, allowing a specific delivery temperature to be set for each individual fixture.

What water valve brands do we commonly work with?

We install, maintain, service and repair a range of leading water tempering device brands including Apex, Watts, NEFA, RMC, Caleffi, Jrgumat, Delabie.

Why is it crucial to have tempering devices serviced?

Regular inspection can extend the life of an appliance, ensure it's running efficiently and help identify and repair potential issues such as mineral deposit build up, before it becomes a problem, saving you time and money in the long term.

Scheduled servicing is something Topline can help with, to ensure all your essential services are checked and maintained on schedule, at a time that suits to ensure the longevity of your assets. Find out more about our programmed asset maintenance service >

This will vary depending on the type of building use. At a minimum at least once per year, but some environments may require bi-monthly, quarterly or even more frequently. We offer a programmed asset maintenance service to make meeting your obligations simple.

What are the legal obligations with water temperature?

This will vary depending on the type of building use. For health and safety reasons the NZ Building Code was updated November 2023, NZBC G12 which details the regulations regarding maximum delivery temperature. According to 6.14.1 of the building code the delivered hot water temperature at the outlet of any sanitary fixtures used for personal hygiene shall not exceed 40-50°C. All buildings should have water delivery temperatures set to 50°C, with the following exceptions:

• Early Childhood & Care Centres
  For licensing purposes early childhood education and care centres, the Ministry of Education requires the temperature of water delivered to taps that are accessible to children not to exceed 40°C.
  
  
• Retirement & Age Care Facilities, Education Sector / Schools, Hospitals
  Hot water must be delivered at 40-45 °C or less.
  
  
• Food Manufacturing Factories
  A building used for manufacturing food products has higher obligations and standards to test hot water temperature far more regularly, as it could affect the end-product if not kept within a permissible range.
  
  
• Specific areas such as laundry and kitchen
  These may be supplied at a higher temperature as required for cleaning purposes.

Alerted to a hot water problem after internal audit ?

If your regular internal audit system identifies a problem in meeting the required temperature standards when outlets were tested, contact the water tempering experts pronto >

We can do a one-off audit or offer a scheduled maintenance service if you require, to ensure your hot water is running efficiently and meeting all required standards.

If you think you have an anomaly with the hot water temperature on site, contact the commercial water tempering experts, Topline. Phone 0800 111 818 or enquire online for expert advice from licensed gasfitting professionals.