ASTM F445-88(1999)

Consumer Safety Specification for Thermal-Shock-Preventing Devices and Systems in Showering Areas

SCOPE
1.1 This consumer safety specification covers thermal-shock-preventing devices and systems delivering water to showering areas.  
1.2 This specification establishes the minimum performance requirements for the devices and systems to minimize the risks associated with the hazards of thermal shock.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-1999
• ICS: 23.060.40 - Pressure regulators
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.03 - Safety Standards for Bathtub and Shower Structures

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F445-88(2004)e1 - Consumer Safety Specification for Thermal-Shock-Preventing Devices and Systems in Showering Areas
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D5952-08(2015) - Standard Guide for the Inspection of Water Systems for Legionella and the Investigation of Possible Outbreaks of Legionellosis (Legionnaires' Disease or Pontiac Fever)
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1999

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F 445 – 88 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
Thermal-Shock-Preventing Devices and Systems in
1
Showering Areas
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 445; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
2
This consumer safety specification addresses certain hazards in connection with shower areas and
is directed toward thermal shock.
The general requirements of this specification are intended to establish a maximum allowable
discharge temperature and provide for automatic compensation if that temperature is exceeded, or
limit temperature changes that are potentially dangerous, or both.
This specification establishes the necessary requirements to ensure safety from thermal shock during
showering for both the normal user capacity and limited user capacity of some aged, infirm, or young.
These requirements can be attained through the utilization of devices, series of devices, or plumbing
system designs, which are available in the marketplace. Many of these devices are applicable to both
new construction and retrofit installations. Specifications for the reliability and testing of these devices
and systems are available in most cases from such organizations as the American National Standards
Institute or the American Society of Sanitary Engineering.
1. Scope 2.5 scald—a first-, second-, or third-degree burn injury
caused by the contact of hot water on the skin.
1.1 This consumer safety specification covers thermal-
2.6 showering area—the bathing space that consists of a
shock-preventing devices and systems delivering water to
tub, tub-shower, or shower stall bounded by four walls, real or
showering areas.
imaginary, extending vertically to the ceiling from the outside
1.2 This specification establishes the minimum performance
edge of the tub or stall.
requirements for the devices and systems to minimize the risks
2.7 stop-check valve—a valve designed to allow the flow of
associated with the hazards of thermal shock.
water in one direction only and which also has the capability to
2. Terminology control the supply of water.
2.8 stop valve—a valve used for the control of water supply.
2.1 check valve—a valve designed to allow the flow of
2.9 thermal shock—a change in temperature that is rapid
water in one direction only.
and great enough to produce a potentially hazardous reaction.
2.2 device—a piece of equipment or mechanism designed to
2.10 water outlet—a discharge opening through which wa-
serve a special purpose or perform a special function.
ter is supplied to a bathing area.
2.3 mixing valve—a device for mixing cold and hot water to
produce an intermediate temperature as required, either manu-
3. Compliance
ally, pressure-equalizing, or thermostatically controlled, and
3.1 No device or system produced after the approval date of
which is adjustable manually or by other means.
this consumer safety specification shall either by label or other
2.4 safety shut-off device—a maximum temperature-
means indicate compliance with this specification unless it
limiting device that reduces the flow of water to a specified
conforms to all requirements contained herein.
amount.
4. Materials
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on 4.1 The materials used in the thermal-shock-preventing
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.03 on
devices or systems shall conform to the following:
Safety Standards for Bathtub and Shower Structures.
Current edition approved Feb. 26, 1988. Published April 1988. Originally
published as F 445 – 78. Last previous edition F 445 – 78.
2
“A Systematic Program to Reduce the Incidence and Severity of Bathtub and
Shower Area Injuries,” Abt Associates, Inc., June 4, 1975.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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F 445
4.1.1 All parts, external or internal, shall be capable of piping to the mixing valve. On multiple installations when
resisting deterioration in the environment to which they are equipped with integral shut-off, there shall be service stop
exposed to the degree that the intended performance of the valves on the inlets.
device or system will not be adversely affected. 6.1.4 Instructions for adjusting devices or systems, where
required, shall include information on temperature settings
4.1.2 Any materials in contact with the water flowing
based on cold-water variations and hot-water capabilities as a
through the device or system that can
...