Emergency Shower and Eyewash Performance Requirements
Purpose
This standard is intended to provide uniform minimum requirements
for equipment performance, installation, test procedures,
and maintenance of emergency eyewash and shower equipment.
It establishes minimum performance requirements for eyewash
and shower equipment for the emergency treatment of the eyes
and body of a person who has been exposed to injurious materials.
It covers the following types of equipment: emergency showers,
eyewash equipment, eye/face wash equipment, hand held drench
hoses, and combination shower and eyewash or eye/face wash.
All emergency related equipment supplied by a manufacturer
(i.e. shower head units, eyewash equipment, etc..) within
the scope of these standards must be ANSI Z358.1.
Emergency Showers
- Performance of Shower Heads
Emergency shower heads shall be designed and located so
that the shower head is not less than 208.3 cm (82 inches)
nor more than 243.8 cm (96 inches) in height from the surface
on which the user stands. The spray pattern shall have a
minimum diameter of 50.8 cm (20 inches) at 153.2. cm (60
inches) above the surface on which the user stands, and
the center of the spray pattern shall be located at least
40.6 cm (16 inches) from any obstruction. Emergency shower
heads shall be capable of delivering a minimum of 113.6
liters per minute (30 gpm) of water at a velocity low enough
not to be injurious to the user. The water shall be substantially
dispersed throughout the pattern.
- Performance of Control Valve
The valve shall be designed so that the water flow remains
on without requiring the use of the operator's hands
and shall remained activated until intentionally shut off.
Valve activation shall be simple and go from "off"
to "on" in less than 1 second.
- Installation
Emergency showers shall be in accessible locations that
require no more than 10 seconds to reach and should be within
a travel distance no greater than 30.5 meters (100 feet)
from the hazard. Each emergency shower location shall be
identified with a highly visible sign. The area around the
emergency shower shall be well lit. The shower shall be
assembled according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Testing
The shower shall be tested according to the following procedures
with campus safety personnel present:
- A. With unit correctly connected to the water source
and the valve closed, visually check the piping and connections
for leaks.
- B. Open the valve to the full on position. The valve shall
remain open without requiring further use of the operator's
hands.
- C. Ensure that the above previously mentioned specifications
for spray pattern is met.
Plumbed Eyewash Equipment
- Performance
Velocity of water shall be capable of flushing both eyes
simultaneously without causing injury to the user. Nozzles
shall be protected from air borne contaminants. Whatever
means is used shall not require a separate motion from the
user while activating the unit. The equipment shall be capable
of delivering not less than 1.5 liters per minute (0.4 gpm)
for 15 minutes.
- Performance of Control Valve
The valve shall be designed so that the water flow remains
on without requiring the use of the operator's hands
and shall remain activated until intentionally shut off.
Valve activation shall be simple and go from "off"
to "on" in less than 1 second.
- Installation
The unit shall be positioned with the water nozzles 83.8
cm (33 inches) to 114.3 cm (45 inches) from the floor and
15.3 cm (6 inches) minimum from the wall or nearest obstruction.
Units shall be installed in an accessible location that
requires no more than 10 seconds to reach and within 100
feet of the hazard. The eyewash area shall be identified
by a highly visible sign and the area around the unit shall
be well lit.
Eye/Face Wash Equipment
- Performance
The eye/face wash shall meet the specifications and requirements
listed in the eye wash section. In addition to these requirements,
the eye/face wash shall be capable of delivering water to
the eyes and face not less than 11.4 liters per minute (3.0
gpm) for a period of 15 minutes. The supply line shall provide
an un-interruptible supply of water at 30psi flow pressure.
- Performance of Control Valve
The valve shall be designed so that the water flow remains
on without requiring the use of the operator's hands
and shall remained activated until intentionally shut off.
Valve activation shall be simple and go from "off"
to "on" in less than 1 second
- Installation
The unit shall be positioned with the water nozzles 83.8
cm (33 inches) to 114.3 cm (45 inches) from the floor and
15.3 cm (6 inches) minimum from the wall or nearest obstruction.
Units shall be installed in an accessible location that
requires no more than 10 seconds to reach and within 100
feet of the hazard. The eyewash area shall be identified
by a highly visible sign and the area around the unit shall
be well lit.
Hand Held Drench Hoses
- Performance
Drench hoses shall deliver a minimum of 11.4 liters per
minute (3.0 gpm) of water to the eyes or portion of the
body at a velocity low enough not to be injurious to the
user. Drench hoses are not allowed as a replacement of safety
showers but are meant to support them.
- Performance of Control Valve
The valve shall be designed so that the water flow remains
on without requiring the use of the operator's hands
and shall remained activated until intentionally shut off.
Valve activation shall be simple and go from "off"
to "on" in less than 1 second.
- Installation
The drench area shall be identified by a highly visible
sign and the area around the unit shall be well lit.
Combination Units (shower/eyewash)
- Performance
Individual components of a combination unit must be able
to operate individually. Performance of individual components
must meet the standards in their corresponding sections.
- Installation
Units shall be installed in an accessible location that
requires no more than 10 seconds to reach and within 100
feet of the hazard. The eyewash area shall be identified
by a highly visible sign and the area around the unit shall
be well lit.
Revised: 2/1/2006 SH