ASTM_F_444_-_88_2009.pdf

Designation:F44488(Reapproved 2009)Standard Consumer Safety Specification forScald-Preventing Devices and Systems in Bathing Areas1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F444;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis consumer safety specification addresses certain hazards in connection with bathtub areas asidentified by theAbtAssociates,Inc.,final report,“ASystematic Program to Reduce the Incidence andSeverity of Bathtub and Shower Area Injuries,”June 4,1975,to the U.S.Consumer Product SafetyCommission(CPSC).2This consumer safety specification is directed towards scalds.The general requirements of thisspecification are intended to establish a maximum allowable discharge temperature and to provide forautomatic compensation if that temperature is exceeded.This specification establishes the necessary requirements to ensure safety from scalds for both thenormal user capacity and limited user capacity of some aged,infirm,or young.These requirements canbe attained through the utilization of devices,series of devices,or plumbing system designs that areavailable in the marketplace.Many of these devices are applicable to both new construction andretrofit installations.Specifications for the reliability and testing of these devices and systems areavailable in most cases from organizations such as the American National Standards Institute or theAmerican Society of Sanitary Engineering.1.Scope1.1 This consumer safety specification covers scald-preventing devices and systems delivering water in bathingareas.1.2 This specification establishes the minimum performancerequirements for the devices and systems to minimize the risksassociated with the hazards of scalds.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.2.Terminology2.1 bathing areabathing space that consists of a tub,tub-shower,or shower stall bounded by four walls,real orimaginary,extending vertically to the ceiling from the outsideedge of the tub or stall.2.2 check valvevalve designed to allow the flow of waterin one direction only.2.3 devicepiece of equipment or mechanism designed toserve a special purpose or perform a special function.2.4 mixing valvedevice for mixing cold and hot water toproduce an intermediate temperature as required,eithermanually,pressure-equalizing,or thermostatically controlled,and which is adjustable manually or by other means.2.5 safety shut-off devicemaximum temperature-limitingdevice that reduces the flow of water to a specified amount.2.6 scaldfirst-,second-,or third-degree burn injury causedby the contact of hot water on the skin.2.7 stop-check valvevalve designed to allow the flow ofwater in one direction only and which also has the capability tocontrol the supply of water.2.8 stop valvevalve used for the control of water supply.2.9 water outletdischarge opening through which water issupplied to a bathing area.3.Compliance3.1 No device or system produced after the approval date ofthis consumer safety specification shall either by label or othermeans indicate compliance with this specification unless itconforms to all requirements contained herein.1This consumer safety specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Commit-tee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF15.03 on Safety Standards for Bathtub and Shower Structures.Current edition approved April 1,2009.Published May 2009.Originallyapproved in 1978.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F444 88(2004)1.DOI:10.1520/F0444-88R09.2Available from U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC),4330East-West Hwy.,Bethesda,MD 20814.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.Materials4.1 The materials used in the scald-preventing devices orsystems shall conform to the following:4.1.1 All parts,external or internal,shall be capable ofresisting deterioration in the environment to which they areexposed to the degree that the intended performance of thedevice or system will not be adversely affected.4.1.2 Any materials in contact with the water flowingthrough the device or system that can contaminate the water sothat it is injurious to humans are unacceptable.5.General Requirements5.1 The scald-preventing devices or systems shall meet thefollowing minimum requirements:5.1.1 The maximum allowable temperature at the wateroutlet to the bathing area shall be 120F(49C)or,if thetemperature of the water discharging from the water outlet ofthe devices or systems exceeds 120F(49C),the flow shallautomatically be reduced to 0.5 gal/min in 5 s or less.5.1.2 T