Eyes on Safety:
Specifying Emergency Eye-Wash and Shower Equipment
By John Fitzgerald
The Chicago Faucet Company
We all have events that shape the way we look at things. The events of 9/11 changed the world and affected all aspects of life — bringing safety back into focus in our everyday existence. It’s easy to forget about emergency eye-wash stations or showers until they are needed in an urgent situation.
Emergency eye-wash and drench shower systems have been around for more than 60 years and are a common element often required for work environments that may expose employees to harmful chemicals. Medical statistics show that after the first 10 seconds of chemical contact, chances of full recovery become unlikely. Therefore, it is imperative that emergency flushing begins as quickly as possible.
Taking on a new role in the life safety realm, the emergency eye-wash stations and showers take on a new task: protection by preparing for an expanded list of emergencies, including intentional catastrophes.
Because the danger is real, a plumbing engineer needs to provide adequate first aid by evaluating and determining when and where emergency eye-wash stations and showers should be part of a building’s life safety solution. Although the task may be relatively new, engineers must still follow the same compliance standards, as well as specific guidelines by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) already in place to provide effective emergency eye or combination eye and face washers in potentially hazardous areas.
What are the requirements?
OSHA and ANSI are two separate guidelines that together give the best guidance in effective protection.
OSHA has several regulations that refer to the use of emergency eye-wash and shower equipment. The primary regulation is contained in 29 CFR 1910.151, which requires that, “...where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.”
The OSHA regulation regarding emergency equipment is quite vague and does not define what constitutes “suitable facilities” for drenching the eyes or body. This is where ANSI standard ANSI Z358.1 “American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment” picks up the slack with specific guidelines for the proper design, performance, installation, use and maintenance of emergency equipment.
For ease of use, the ANSI requirements can be simplified into five categories: location, water requirements, training, maintenance/inspection and identification.
For an eye-wash system:
Location — Install eye/face wash unit within 10 seconds of hazard, on the same level as hazard and with unobstructed travel path (approximately 50 feet). (Section 5.4.2) They must be positioned so that fluid nozzles are no less than 33 inches from the floor, but no more than 45 inches, to ensure accessibility for all. Injured must not walk up or down stairs, ladders or any other means to reach an emergency eyewash station. They should be in a location free of obstructions that inhibit immediate use.
Water requirements — Water delivered by eye/face wash needs to be between 60 and 100 degrees (Section 5.4.6) and deliver no less than 0.4 gpm for 15-minute continuous flow.
Training — Instruct all employees in the location and proper use of eye/face washes. (Section 5.5.4)
Maintenance/inspection — Activate eye/face wash at least weekly. (Section 5.5.2) Inspect annually for compliance with standard. (Section 5.5.5)
Identification — Identify eye/face wash with highly visible sign. Area around eye/face wash shall be well lighted. (Section 5.4.3)
For a drench shower system:
Location — Install shower within 10 seconds of hazard, on the same level as hazard and with an unobstructed travel path. (Section 4.5.2) Showers may be mounted on the ceiling or on the wall. The showerhead should be positioned so the flushing fluid column is no less than 82 inches and no more than 96 inches from the floor.
Water requirements — Water delivered by shower shall be tepid (lukewarm). (Section 4.5.6) Drench showers must deliver a minimum of 20 gpm flow (Section 4.1.4).
Training — Instruct all employees in the location and proper use of emergency showers. (Section 4.6.4)
Maintenance/inspection — Activate shower at least weekly. (Section 4.6.2) Inspect annually for compliance with standard. (Section 4.6.5)
Identification — Identify shower location with highly visible sign. Area around shower shall be well lighted. (Section 4.5.3)
Pulling an easy-to-grasp rod or a chain with a handle activates most emergency showers. Emergency showers must be equipped with “instant on,” “stay open” valves. It is also recommended that showers have flow regulators and tempered water valves that compensate for fluctuations in water temperature and pressure.
The standard does not include any provisions regarding the disposal of wastewater. However, engineers must give consideration to where wastewater will go. In particular, care must be taken that wastewater not create a hazard.
In addition, eye wash/showers must:
- Have an on-off valve, pull strap or door that is capable of activation in one second or less and activates with one single motion; allow activation to occur in one step only; and
- Enable the injured to start the flow of action immediately, preventing further damage to their eye; have a “stay open” feature, allowing both hands free to open eyelids; and be located in an area free of obstructions that inhibit immediate use.
Of these five features, the only one that has flexibility is location. The design of the building is the key to proper location of emergency fixtures. A hospital building, for example, will have different criteria than an office building or even government facilities.
Maintenance
Just as any other fire and life safety systems, these also are necessary to maintain. Well-maintained equipment will deliver the most effective emergency aid in case of an emergency. In addition, properly maintained equipment will have a longer lifespan and will effectively stretch a tight safety budget. ANSI recommends weekly testing of equipment and to flush debris or bacterial sediment.
Regularly scheduled drills should be held both to keep new and current employees informed of the location of all eye-wash devices and to reinforce the importance of immediate emergency care.
Other important factors to consider are the visibility and uniformity of these devices. Each device should be highly visible and well marked. If more than one of the same device will be installed, uniformity must be considered in order to avoid confusion during an emergency. Each of these factors will help to prevent the loss of any crucial time during an emergency.
Engineers are the first line of defense by assuring the best chances for a minimal amount of damage with not only address design and engineering but also proper placement, and knowledge of its use in the workplace. It’s very important to plan ahead, because in an emergency, every second counts.
John Fitzgerald is the director of marketing, The Chicago Faucet Company.