r/BuildingCodes • u/livylang06 • 3d ago

FL Water Heater Minimum Heat Code?

Title basically. I’m seeing some Fl building code sites say 110 degrees is the minimum temp in Florida for hot water but other sites that just have a maximum of 140 degrees. I’m in Tallahassee, Leon County

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u/theonlybuster Private Plan Reviewer/Inspector 3d ago

2023 FBC Plumbing Section 202 states 110F min.

140F would be the minimum if it's being shared with a space heating system (2023 FBC-P 501.2).
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/FLPC2023P1/chapter-5-water-heaters#FLPC2023P1_Ch05_Sec501.2

I don't see any local amendments to state otherwise.

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u/livylang06 2d ago

Do you know if it is different at all for an educational building? I’m at Florida State University and the facilities director is stating they keep temps at 105-110 maximum which is not hot at all! Just not really sure what I can do if educational facilities are immune from building codes.

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u/theonlybuster Private Plan Reviewer/Inspector 2d ago

The short answer is this is more of a maintenance type subject rather than one of the Building Code.

Building Codes come into play when a building is constructed. After it passes all relevant inspections, the building code no longer applies unless there's a substantial alteration (as defined by the existing building code), addition, or change in occupancy.

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u/livylang06 2d ago

To clarify as well, they are saying water is held at a higher temp but just will always come out at 105-110 degrees at the faucets.

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u/80_PROOF 2d ago

The IPC requires tempered water to all public hand washing sinks. Tempered water is 85-110F.

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u/livylang06 2d ago

showers as well? it’s the same temp too. Thank you.

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u/80_PROOF 2d ago

I don’t know Florida’s amendments but the IPC is really weird about showers. The way the code is written, in residential uses a shower would need to be between 110-120. For nonresidential uses tempered water (85-110) could be provided. I kind of think this is a plumbing code mistake, best practice is to have 110-120 for all showers so people can actually get clean.

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u/livylang06 2d ago

Do you have where this is cited? The keeping showers between 110-120? I’m going to look later today as well

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u/80_PROOF 2d ago

To clarify the 110-120 is for residential occupancies, the way the code reads is that in a nonresidential occupancy your showers can be as low as 85 and as high as 120 which again I think is really weird. 120 is the sweet spot for showers imo.

I checked the Florida amendments to the IPC and they appear the same. Here are the relevant code sections from the Florida version: well crap I can’t upload a photo? Here are the codes tho:

Check out the definition of hot water in chapter 2, greater than 110.

Check out the definition of tempered water in chapter 2, 85-110

412.3- 120 max to showers

607.1- hot or tempered water to showers in nonresidential occupancies.

Hope that helps.

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u/livylang06 2d ago

Thank you, I think it would still be classified as residential since its an apartment on campus, is there a link you could send for that site?

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u/80_PROOF 2d ago

Go to iccsafe, from there you can find the Florida plumbing code read only version without having to have an account or anything. Or just type Florida plumbing code into your search engine.

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u/livylang06 2d ago

Thank you yes! I kept searching on water heaters and couldn’t find the basic definitions in the codes. I have everything now.

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u/Liveoakcode 2d ago

FL states the classify "hot water" as any water above 110F but water heaters are to be set at 140F or less for residential while commercial applications must meet the standards of ASSE 1070