Model codes address this in various code sections. Therefore hot water above 120 degrees Fahrenheit can be considered hazardous. It’s generally agreed that 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the maximum safe hot water temperature that should be delivered from a fixture. One was the “use temperature” and the other was “the maximum temperature” to prevent scalding. There were two temperatures discussed for each fixture during the design standard meetings. It also should be noted that some other uses like commercial dishwashers and laundries may need temperatures higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. There were a few exceptions for bidets, sitz baths and whirlpool tubs that had temperatures lower than 120 degrees Fahrenheit for the recommended maximum temperatures to prevent scalding. I also have served on hot water system design standards committees where the participants had agreed that maximum domestic hot water temperature from plumbing fixtures used for bathing and washing purposes should be 120 degrees Fahrenheit. I have served on the working groups for several plumbing industry standards committees for temperature actuated mixing valves and shower valves and it is generally agreed that 120 degrees is the maximum, safe hot water temperature. The testing in the standards gives test criteria for testing the shower valves to these limits. If you look at many of the industry standards for shower mixing valves, they state the valves must have limit stops that are adjustable to limit the maximum hot water temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Most water heater literature and warning labels mention the availability of thermostatic mixing valves or automatic temperature compensating valves and they recommend their use.
The 125 degree limit probably allows for some temperature loss before the hot water gets to the fixtures. If you read the warning labels on the side of most water heaters the maximum hot water temperature is 120 degrees Fahrenheit on some labels and 125 degrees Fahrenheit on other labels. I am often asked, “What is a safe hot water temperature for domestic hot water?” If you read the model codes, it states the maximum hot water temperature for a shower or bathtub is 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
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