Violation

California Code § 101239(e)(1)Hot Water Temperature Limits

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects Child Care Centers2 facilities cited in the last 90 days

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

Regulation text

What California Code § 101239(e)(1) actually says

California Code § 101239(e)(1)

Hot water temperature controls shall be maintained to automatically regulate temperature of hot water delivered to plumbing fixtures used by children to attain a hot water temperature of not less than 105 degrees F (40.5 degrees C) and not more than 120 degrees F (48.8 degrees C).

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Inspectors carry thermometers and test faucets children can access. They run the hot water for 30 seconds and check the temperature. Anything below 105°F or above 120°F is an automatic citation. The most common failure is water that's too hot because the facility's water heater is set to a standard residential 140°F and nobody installed or maintained a mixing valve. Check your hot water temperature at every child-accessible faucet monthly, not just the one in the bathroom. Kitchen sinks, art room sinks, and any faucet a child could reach all count. Buy a cheap kitchen thermometer and keep a log.

By the numbers

2^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
1^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
158^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: More citations than the prior period
+1 facility

2 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

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What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Hot Water Temperature Limits

Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Inspect all fixtures, furniture and equipment regularly for damage
Repair or replace broken items immediately
Remove unsafe equipment from use until properly fixed
Maintain a system for reporting and addressing maintenance needs
Document repairs and replacements for safety records

What to avoid

Setting the water heater temperature for the whole building without installing mixing valves at child-accessible fixtures. Providers adjust the main heater down to 120°F, which can cause it to drop below 105°F at distant faucets while staying too hot near the heater. Inspectors test at the fixture, not at the heater.
Not testing water temperature after plumbing repairs or seasonal changes. A plumber who services the water heater may reset it to factory default (usually 140°F). Providers don't recheck until the next inspection, and by then a child could be burned. Inspectors ask when you last verified the temperature.
Forgetting about rarely used sinks. That utility sink in the back room or the bathroom faucet children only use during field prep still needs to be within range. Inspectors test every fixture children could access, not just the ones in regular use.
Assuming anti-scald devices eliminate the need for temperature monitoring. Mixing valves and anti-scald devices can fail or drift over time. Inspectors test actual output temperature regardless of what devices are installed.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its weekly intelligence report.

Regional citations for Hot Water Temperature Limits, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	2	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-05Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is the Hot Water Temperature Control Requirement?

California Code Section 101239(e)(1) requires hot water at every child-accessible faucet to stay between 105°F and 120°F at all times. This isn't measured at your water heater. Inspectors test at the fixture itself after running water for 30 seconds. If any faucet a child could reach falls outside that range, even a rarely used utility sink in the back room, it's a citation.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 2 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days, both in Los Angeles County. The citation ratio is roughly 1 in 20,000 inspected facilities. While the numbers are low statewide, this citation carries serious weight because water above 120°F can scald a child in seconds.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors carry thermometers and test every faucet children can access. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, they run the hot water for 30 seconds, then measure. The most common failure is water above 120°F because the building's heater is set to residential default (usually 140°F) and no mixing valve was installed at child-height fixtures. Inspectors also test faucets in kitchens, art rooms, and utility areas, not just bathrooms. Any reading outside the 105°F to 120°F range gets written up on the spot.

How can I prevent this citation?

Buy a kitchen thermometer and test every child-accessible faucet monthly. Log the date, fixture location, and temperature reading. Install mixing valves at individual fixtures rather than relying on the main water heater setting alone, since distant faucets can run cooler while nearby ones run hotter. After any plumbing repair, recheck temperatures immediately. Plumbers often reset heaters to factory default without telling you. A monthly 10-minute check of all faucets keeps you in compliance.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Test and adjust water temperature at the cited fixture immediately. If your water heater is set above 120°F, install thermostatic mixing valves at child-accessible faucets rather than just turning down the main heater, which can push distant fixtures below 105°F. Document the corrected temperature readings at every fixture with dates. Start a monthly temperature log and include it in your Plan of Correction. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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