In this article, I will be discussing the testing requirements of ASSE 1085, Performance Requirements for Water Heaters for Emergency Equipment. Because this article references several related standards, the key standards (with titles) are listed below.
- ASSE 1070, Performance Requirements for Water Temperature Limiting Devices
- ASSE 1071, Performance Requirements for Temperature Actuated Mixing Valves for Plumbed Emergency Equipment
- ASSE 1084, Performance Requirements for Water Heaters with Temperature Limiting Capacity
- ASSE 1085, Performance Requirements for Water Heaters for Emergency Equipment
- ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment
ASSE 1085 was first published in 2018 and reaffirmed in 2023 with no revisions. As my colleague Terry Burger described in his article, “ASSE 1071 & ASSE 1085,” an ASSE 1085 device functions like a point-of-use water heater serving plumbed emergency equipment and used with an ASSE 1071-compliant, temperature-actuated mixing valve. ASSE 1085 shares similar performance requirements as ASSE 1084 but is specified for emergency wash stations. Beyond the ASSE 1084 requirements, ASSE 1085 also states minimum flow performance and the requirement that devices must reach the required water temperature within 60 seconds while limiting the maximum temperature to 95° F (35° C).
ASSE 1085 covers water heaters that supply tepid water to emergency eyewash, eye/face wash, emergency shower, and combination units. The water heater must raise incoming cold water to the tepid range referenced by ISEA Z358.1, which specifies minimum flow rates by equipment type:
- Eyewash: minimum 1.5 GPM (5.7 L/min)
- Eye/face wash or combination unit: minimum 3 GPM (11.4 L/min)
- Emergency shower (shower-only): minimum 20 GPM (75.7 L/min)
WHICH WATER HEATERS CAN BE CERTIFIED TO ASSE 1084?
ASSE 1084 applies to point-of-use water heaters that heat water, control outlet temperature, and provide scald protection. In effect, an ASSE 1084-compliant device performs like a water heater paired with an ASSE 1070/ASME A112.1070/CSA B125.70-compliant water temperature limiting device.
WHICH WATER HEATERS CAN BE CERTIFIED TO ASSE 1085?
ASSE 1085 applies to water heaters intended to serve emergency eyewash, eye/face wash, shower, or combination stations. The water heater is used with an ASSE 1071-compliant temperature-actuated mixing valve to deliver tepid water to the emergency fixture.
ASSE 1085 addresses water heaters that must maintain a tight setpoint across a range of flow conditions. To be certified, a device must pass the following three performance tests:
1) Maximum Flow and Conditioning Test
This test verifies the water heater operates at maximum flow while achieving a +35 °F (+19.4 °C) temperature rise. Any leaks or indication of change in the physical geometry of the materials shall result in a rejection of the device. The inlet temperature shall be less than 65 °F and maintain ±2 °F. The recorded flow rate shall be within 5% of the stated maximum flow rate on the specification sheet.
2) Water Heater Temperature Test
This test verifies the water heater reaches and stabilizes at the set temperature within the allowable range (see Table 2).
3) Water Heater Temperature Test with Varying Inlet Water Temperature
This test verifies the water heater maintains the set temperature (within the allowable range) as inlet water temperature varies, and that outlet temperature does not exceed 95 °F (35 °C).
While ASSE 1084 and 1085 share several commonalities, understanding their differences and choosing the correct standard for certification is essential. Table 1 shows a breakdown of criteria for each.
Managing multiple standards and certification requirements can be challenging. ASSE staff can help — contact the ASSE Product Listing Program team at staffengineer@asse-plumbing.org to get started.
