9 June 2008
Date issued: 30 May 2008 The Ministry for the Environment is issuing a correction to one of its publications due to an error relating to the recommended temperatures for hot water. The affected publication is the "25 easy steps towards sustainability" booklet that was launched on 13 April. We have been advised that the information in the booklet is inconsistent with the Building Code. The booklet states: "Your hot water should be 50°C at the tap and 55°C at the cylinder. If it’s hotter than this you may need an electrician to adjust it." It should have stated that compliance with the Building Code requires that hot water should be stored at temperatures greater than 60°C and delivered at the tap at temperatures not greater than 45ºC in elderly people's homes and early childhood centres, and not more than 55ºC for other building uses, including housing. Studies have shown that water stored above 60°C substantially reduces the health risk associated with exposure to Legionella bacteria. To avoid paper waste through reprinting, The Ministry for the Environment will use stickers to amend the recalled booklets. Most of the booklets had not been distributed, but sent to central distribution points. The Ministry wishes to apologise for this error and advise readers to follow the advice in the Building Code. For further information, contact info@sustainability.govt.nz.
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