A New Generation of Eye/Facewashes
By Heather Koehn
Whether the work setting is a manufacturing plant, research lab or distribution center, the inherent dangers of coming into personal contact with hazardous substances are a harsh business reality. Providing and maintaining a safe work environment is not only an employer’s moral and regulatory obligation it’s also in a company’s best interest from liability and reputation management standpoints.
Being prepared with emergency eye/facewash and other shower equipment is an integral part of any company’s emergency response system. While many facilities use eye and facewash fixtures that may comply with ANSI requirements, the story shouldn’t end there. There are a number of factors that plumbing engineers, specifiers, contractors and building owners need to consider when selecting and evaluating the right equipment, including facility design, accessibility and product requirements, features and cost.
While it’s important to know the basic requirements of eye/facewash systems, it’s also key to stay current on the newest and most effective technologies available today, as the industry has taken major steps to enhance the efficacy of emergency products.
Basic ANSI requirements
With respect to facility planning and design, ANSI Z358.1 requires that facilities must be able to treat the maximum number of potential injuries possible in a given situation, keeping in mind the potential hazards, environment and number of people that could be exposed. To that end, eyewash equipment should be accessible within 10 seconds of the hazard. In addition, the approach to these safety stations should be clear of obstructions and should be on the same level as the hazard. The fixture must also deliver tepid flushing water.
As for product requirements, eyewashes and eye/facewash fixtures must provide a controlled, simultaneous flow to both eyes. While eye/facewash equipment must deliver a minimum of 3 gpm of flushing fluid for 15 minutes, eyewash-only equipment must deliver a minimum of 0.4 gpm for 15 minutes. In addition, outlets used for eye/facewashes should be protected from contaminants and be located between 33 and 45 inches from the floor and 6 inches from the wall. Finally, the actuation valve should be able to have the flushing fluid flow stay on without the use of the operator’s hands. The valve should be easy to operate and able to be turned on or off in one second or less.
New eye/facewash technologies
Bearing in mind the basic requirements will help guide selection for optimal eye/facewash equipment. In recent times, significant innovations have been applied to flow control, coverage and efficacy of eye/facewashes, creating a new market standard for ANSI-compliant safety solutions.
Here are some selection considerations on the key features of today’s emergency eye/facewashes:
• Enhanced washdown coverage. When hazardous and corrosive contaminants get into the eye area and spread to the outside of the face or come into contact with the body, it’s critical to have the best and quickest response ability available. This is why evaluating the amount of total face and body coverage provided by the eye/facewash and/or shower is key.
Because traditional showers push the flow of water to the showerhead’s outside rim, affected areas may be missed, due to the hollow space in the center of the spray pattern. The newest eye/facewash fixtures, however, have been redesigned to deliver a more uniform and complete spray pattern distribution. The new shower designs incorporate fluid dynamics technology and work in tandem with a pressure regulated flow control and the spinning motion of water. The result is a superior, all-inclusive spray pattern that quickly washes contaminants from the user’s eyes and face.
Further, this showerhead has a new contoured shape, with spinning water funnels to concentrate water into a gentle deluge, producing the most effective flush available. Some showerheads come in more compact models, which are a convenient choice for busy and confined industrial and work environments where more space is needed.
Today’s newer eyewashes and eye/facewashes utilize a much more accurate method of maintaining the flow of water over varied pressures. These flow controls utilize an O-ring that is pushed into position and forces the flow based on the pressure supplied to the fixture, allowing for minimal variance across a wide range of pressures.
Due to advances in fluid dynamics technology, one of the newest eye/facewashes available covers 85 percent of the user’s face, which is more than 20 percent better than other designs.
• Improved cleanliness. It can be extremely challenging to keep older eye/facewash systems clean and free of bacteria. Because these units are sitting out in the open and are not covered, they are prone to dust, dirt and bacteria. Stagnant water left in the bowl from false activations, misuse and tampering by workers can also lead to contamination of the unit. This is problematic, since the point of having an eye/facewash in the first place is to be ready with a clean and safe device for quick emergency activation.
While these issues can be avoided by installing an eyewash alarm system, newer eyewash designs come equipped with either plastic or stainless steel dust covers that shield the entire bowl. Better yet, a new eye/facewash model incorporates a plastic see-through dustcover attached by a hinge. The clear plastic promotes a quick and simple visual inspection, while the hinge provides a sturdy hold of the cover. When the cover is opened, using a hand-activation paddle that is in close reach, the water flow starts instantly, giving the user immediate relief.
One of the newer eye/facewashes comes equipped with a self-draining design that eliminates any settled water in the system. This model also incorporates separate supply and waste pipes to prevent cross-contamination from the clean inlet and wastewater.
Finally, today’s new eye/facewash models employ anti-microbial protection, guarding sprayheads from germs and bacteria.
The new generation of eye/facewash equipment has set a new standard for the product category. While the basic requirements haven’t changed, the product choices have, allowing organizations to protect their workers to a much greater degree. Whether management chooses to maintain or upgrade their existing equipment or invest in new products, it’s always best to work with a knowledgeable manufacturer who can offer expertise, and customer.
Heather Koehn is the associate product manager, Emergency Fixtures, for Bradley Corporation of Menomonee Falls, Wis., a USGBC member and manufacturer of locker room products, plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, partitions and emergency fixtures.