NH PLUMBING CODE ON TUB & SHOWER VALVES.

ALTHOUGH YOU CAN PURCHASE AN OLD STYLE 3 HANDLE TUB AND SHOWER VALVES  DOES NOT MEAN IT IS LEGAL TO INSTALL IT. THE ONLY LEGAL WAY TO USE THESE VALVES ARE IF A balanced-pressure, thermostatic or combination balanced-pressure/thermostatic valves that conform to the requirements of ASSE 1016 or ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and shall be installed at the point of use.  Old 3 Handle Tub and Shower Valves are not “Grandfathered in.”

Quite simply they are Illegal. Tony Coppola Plumbing & Heating will not Install or Repair these type valves.

NH Plumbing Law States that, Old Style 3 Handle Tub and Shower Valves are Illegal to use unless they are equipped with a means to limit the maximum setting of the valve to 120 F (49 C), (they are not equipped as you can shut the cold water off allowing nothing but hot water to flow causing a burn.) which shall be field adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. In-line thermostatic valves shall not be utilized for compliance with this section.

USING AN OLD STYLE 3 HANDLE TUB & SHOWER VALVE CAN CAUSE BURNS.

*Activation temperature = 120° max
(response time is less than 5 seconds)
Studies show that a person will receive a second degree burn in 3 seconds of exposure and a third degree burn in 5 seconds of exposure to water of 140°F at the discharge outlet. 3 Handle Tub & Shower Valves are known to cause this.


Temperature limits and allowable devices for individual showers are covered in section 424.3 of the IPC. The temperature limits is 120 degrees Fahrenheit for showers. The text is as follows:
424.3 Individual shower valves. Individual shower and tub-shower combination valves shall be balanced-pressure, thermostatic or combination balanced-pressure/thermostatic valves that conform to the requirements of ASSE 1016 or ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and shall be installed at the point of use. Shower and tub-shower combination valves required by this section shall be equipped with a means to limit the maximum setting of the valve to 120 F (49 C), which shall be field adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. In-line thermostatic valves shall not be utilized for compliance with this section.