IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS DURING EMERGENCY SHOWER AND EYEWASH SPECIFICATION AND INSTALLATION
The specifi cation and installation of emergency showers and eyewashes requires careful consideration of several factors, most of which are driven by the specifi c needs and risks of a given business as well as the requirements of ANSI Z358.1.
FIVE MAIN FACTORS TO CONSIDER
1] EQUIPMENT LOCATION
Per ANSI, emergency equipment must be located on the same level and within an unobstructed,10-second walk from a potential hazard. The number of showers/eyewashes available and their individual locations must be evaluated when determining installation locations.
2] ASSURE VISIBILITY
High visibility of safety equipment can be achieved with clear signage, proper lighting and the use of the color known as “safety green.” This color is used industrially to designate both the concept of
safety and the physical locations of fi rst aid and emergency response equipment, including drench showers and eyewashes.
3] PRODUCT SUITABILITY
When it comes to emergency response equipment, there is no shortage of available products. And with so many choices – oftentimes differentiated only by subtle differences – it’s
important to critically assess specifi c risks to determine the most suitable product. For example, specifying an eyewash in a chemical plant where liquids form
the general risk may not be the best solution. What if an acid or base is splashed onto a victim’s face, not just in his eyes? In that instance, an eye/face wash would have been the most
appropriate choice.
With recent product advancements such as fl ow controls and designs inspired by eye irrigation protocols used within the medical community, choosing the most suitable equipment also means
making a selection from the most current generation of products. Many of these have been designed to meet changes imposed in the Z358.1 Standard revision (2009).
4] TEMPERED WATER REQUIREMENT
The same ANSI revision also addresses tempered water. In its current form, Z358.1 requires that outlet water temperatures range from 60º F to below 100º F throughout the entire required
15-minute drench or irrigation cycle. Water that is too hot or too cold can have negative physical affects on a victim, including scalding,
hypothermia or shortened drench cycles. Providing tempered water is an often-overlooked requirement that can have serious legal and/or regulatory repercussions.
5] ASSURE PROPER MAINTENANCE
One of the implied responsibilities of specifying and installing emergency equipment is assuring a maintenance process designed to keep safety showers, eyewashes and associated system
components functioning optimally. ANSI requires a weekly activation, intended to assure proper operation and to fl ush out possible sediment, as well as a more detailed annual inspection.
Installing safety equipment in such a way as to facilitate these inspections will help assure proper maintenance.
warning：
CRITICALLY ASSESS RISKS：
There is no shortage of available products, assess specific risks to determine the most suitable product for your site
TEMPERED WATER：
ANSI requires a range from 60º F to below 100º F throughout the entire required 15-minute drench or irrigation cycle.
PROPER INSTALLATION：can help facilitate maintenance and weekly ANSI testing.
