This Standard specifies basic requirements, related to safety and public health, for water heaters and hot-water storage tanks that are intended for connection to a drinking water supply, such as:
(a) storage water heaters;
(b) heat-exchange water heaters;
(c) hot-water storage tanks with an external energy source;
(d) instantaneous water heaters; and
(e) boiling-water dispensers.
This Standard applies to water heaters using any type of heating irrespective of the source of the heat energy imparted to the water, including electric resistance, gas, liquid or solid fuels, heat pumps, waste-heat recovery systems, solar energy, or any other means of heating drinking water.
This Standard also applies to water heaters intended to deliver directly to sanitary fixtures used primarily for personal hygiene purposes such that the water temperature at the outlet from such fixtures is limited to no greater than 45 °C or 50 °C.
This Standard does not include requirements affecting the durability of water heaters, except those applying to safety devices. It does not apply to steam generators, sterilizers, washing machines, wash boilers, urns, kettles, or hot-water supply systems intended solely for space heating, swimming pools, spa pools or industrial processes.
NOTE The installation of water heaters and hot-water supply systems is covered by the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) and AS/NZS 3500.4.

Originated as AS 3888(Int)-1991.
AS 3888(Int)-1991 revised and redesignated AS 3498(Int)-1993.
AS 3498(Int)-1993 revised and designated AS 3498-1995.
Fourth edition 2020. Originated as AS 3888(Int)-1991. AS 3888(Int)-1991 revised and redesignated AS 3498(Int)-1993. AS 3498(Int)-1993 revised and designated AS 3498-1995. Fourth edition 2020.