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Easier compliance option for water heaters proposed

Posted: 19 August 2024

Child washing hands in bathroom sink
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is consulting on a proposal to modify a reference to an Australian water heater safety standard (AS 3498) in G12/AS1 to limit the maximum temperature adjustment for a temperature limited water heater (TLWH).

The modification will enable Aotearoa New Zealand suppliers of instantaneous water heaters to comply easier with hot water delivery safety provisions. Introduced as part of an update to the Building Code it came into force in November 2023 with a one-year transition period.

The last Building Code update in 2023 lowered the maximum hot water temperature delivered at the tap for most buildings from 55°C to 50°C to reduce the risk of scalding injuries. It also introduced additional acceptable hot water delivery temperature control devices and product standards into G12/AS1.

Currently, G12/AS1 requires a temperature limited water heater to not be adjustable to produce water at a temperature that could exceed 55°C.

However, MBIE has heard from some manufacturers and suppliers, that the sub-clause within the acceptable solution (AS 3498), limits flexibility for how certain ranges of instantaneous (continuous flow) water heaters available on the Aotearoa New Zealand market can be used and limits their ability to comply with G12/AS1.

Have your say 

Have your say on the proposed update by 5pm on Monday 2 September 2024. 

Download a submission form or have your say - mbie.govt.nz

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This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: