ASTM F444-88(1999)

Consumer Safety Specification for Scald-Preventing Devices and Systems in Bathing Areas

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

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 F444-88(2004)e1 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Scald-Preventing Devices and Systems in Bathing 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 444 – 88 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
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Scald-Preventing Devices and Systems in Bathing Areas
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 444; 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
This consumer safety specification addresses certain hazards in connection with bathtub areas as
identified by the Abt Associates, Inc., final report, “A Systematic Program to Reduce the Incidence and
Severity of Bathtub and Shower Area Injuries,” June 4, 1975, to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
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Commission (CPSC).
This consumer safety specification is directed towards scalds. The general requirements of this
specification are intended to establish a maximum allowable discharge temperature and to provide for
automatic compensation if that temperature is exceeded.
This specification establishes the necessary requirements to ensure safety from scalds 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 that 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 organizations such as the American National Standards Institute or the
American Society of Sanitary Engineering.
1. Scope 2.3 device—a piece of equipment or mechanism designed to
serve a special purpose or perform a special function.
1.1 This consumer safety specification covers scald-
2.4 mixing valve—a device for mixing cold and hot water to
preventing devices and systems delivering water in bathing
produce an intermediate temperature as required, either manu-
areas.
ally, pressure-equalizing, or thermostatically controlled, and
1.2 This specification establishes the minimum performance
which is adjustable manually or by other means.
requirements for the devices and systems to minimize the risks
2.5 safety shut-off device—a maximum temperature-
associated with the hazards of scalds.
limiting device that reduces the flow of water to a specified
2. Terminology amount.
2.6 scald—a first-, second-, or third-degree burn injury
2.1 bathing area—the bathing space that consists of a tub,
caused by the contact of hot water on the skin.
tub-shower, or shower stall bounded by four walls, real or
2.7 stop-check valve—a valve designed to allow the flow of
imaginary, extending vertically to the ceiling from the outside
water in one direction only and which also has the capability to
edge of the tub or stall.
control the supply of water.
2.2 check valve—a valve designed to allow the flow of
2.8 stop valve—a valve used for the control of water supply.
water in one direction only.
2.9 water outlet—a discharge opening through which water
is supplied to a bathing area.
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
3. Compliance
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.03 on
Safety Standards for Bathtub and Shower Structures.
3.1 No device or system produced after the approval date of
Current edition approved Feb. 26, 1988. Published April 1988. Originally
this consumer safety specification shall either by label or other
published as F 444 – 78. Last previous edition F 444 – 78.
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means indicate compliance with this specification unless it
Available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC
20207. conforms to all requirements contained herein.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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F 444
4. Materials piping to the mixing valve. On multiple installations when
equipped with integral shut-off, there shall be service stop
4.1 The materials used in the scald-preventing devices or
valves on the inlets.
systems shall conform to the following:
6.1.4 Instructions for adjusting devices or systems, where
4.1.1 All parts, external or internal, shall be capable of
required, shall include information on temperature settings
resisting deterioration in the environment to which they are
based on cold-water variations and hot-water capabilities as a
exposed to the degree that the intended performance of the
guide to allow the installer to properly set the maximum
device or system will not be adversely affected.
water-outlet temperature.
4.1.2 Any materials in contact with the water flowing
through the devi
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