Requirements & code

Hot Water Requirements for a Commercial Kitchen

Hot water requirements for a commercial kitchen: hand sinks capable of 100°F, manual hot-water sanitizing at 171°F, and sizing a water heater that passes plan review.
Educational, not legal advice. Codes vary by jurisdiction — always confirm with your local health department and building authority (AHJ).

Hot water is a frequent plan-review sticking point. Two temperatures matter most, and they come from the FDA Food Code (adopted by most states — confirm your local code):

Sizing the water heater

The unit has to keep up with your busiest moment — the three-compartment sink, dish machine and hand sinks drawing at once. Both the temperature and the heater's capacity/recovery go into plan review, so size it against peak demand, not average.

Frequently asked

What temperature should hot water be in a commercial kitchen?
Hand sinks must deliver water capable of at least 100°F (FDA Food Code 5-202.12). For manual hot-water sanitizing in a 3-compartment sink, the immersion rinse must reach at least 171°F. Confirm the figures your local code adopts.
How hot should the water be in a 3-compartment sink?
Wash in hot, soapy water; rinse; then sanitize. If you sanitize with heat, the final immersion rinse must be at least 171°F. If you sanitize chemically instead, follow the sanitizer's required concentration and contact time and use test strips.
What size water heater do I need for a commercial kitchen?
Size it to peak simultaneous demand — the 3-compartment sink, dish machine and hand sinks running together — not average use. Both capacity/recovery and delivery temperature are reviewed at plan review; an undersized heater is a common failure.

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