SECTION 3.

0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

3.7 EMERGENCY SHOWER & EYE WASHES SYSTEM

 Cawangan Kejuruteraan Mekanikal – Edition 1

SECTION 3.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

3.7 EMERGENCY SHOWER & EYE WASHES SYSTEM

1 GENERAL

This specification presents the minimum performance requirement for emergency

washing equipment. It covers the following type of equipment: emergency shower,
eye wash equipment, and combination shower and eyewash or eye/face wash
equipment.

Most of the requirements were taken directly from American National Standards
Institute ANSI Z358.1-2009 standard.

1.1 Application

 Emergency washing equipment is required to provide an immediate and local

method of decontamination following an exposure to exposure to a hazardous
chemical. Emergency shower can also be used to effectively extinguish clothing
fires and flush contaminants off clothing.

 Emergency washing equipment is required where the following types of

chemical are used:
i. Corrosives, including acids and caustics, with a pH less than 2.5 or greater
than 11.
ii. Strong irritants that cause inflammatory effects at point of contact.
iii. Toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through skin and cause ill health
effects.

 Emergency washing equipment in Bio-safety Laboratory (BSL-2 & BSL-3).

 Emergency washing equipment should also be installed where particulate is

common that can injure the eyes.

 Eyewash equipment is required wherever eyes may be exposed to the agents

notes above. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety
glasses or face shields, thought an important safeguard, does not substitute for
the eye wash equipment.

 Emergency shower are required if there is a potential for substantial portions of

the body to come into contact with the types of the chemical noted above. Use
of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses or face shields,
thought an important safeguard, does not substitute for the shower equipment.

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1.2 Flushing Fluid

The ANSI standard defines “flushing fluid” as any of portable (drinking water),
preserved water, preserved buffered saline solution or other medically acceptable
solutions. This document will use the term “water” to mean any of these acceptable
flushing fluids unless otherwise specified.

2 EMERGENCY SHOWER

2.1 Types

 Plumbed shower: An emergency shower permanently connected to a source of

portable water.

 Self-contained shower: a shower that contains its own flushing fluid, and must be
refilled or replace after use.

2.2 Specification for plumbed shower (only)

1. Heads
a. Positioned between than 208.3 cm to 243.8cm (82” to 96”) from the
floor.
b. Spray pattern will have a minimum diameter of 50.8 cm (20”) at 152 cm
to 175.3 cm (60” to 69”) above the floor.(This diameter ensures that the water
will come into contact with the entire body – not just the top of person head)
c. Flow rate at 75.7 liter/min (20 GPM) for a minimum of 15 minutes at 30
psi pressure and a velocity low enough to be non-injurious to the user.
d. Shower must have a clearance of 101.6 cm (48”) along the side and
762 cm (30”) across (creating a surface of 10 square feet around the shower
unit.
e. If enclosure are used, ensure that there is an unobstructed area of 86.4
(34”) in diameter.
f. Center of spray pattern shall be located at least 406.4 cm (16”) from any
obstruction.

2. Valves
a. Off to “On” in 1 second or less.
b. Position of the valve should not more than 175.3 cm (69”)
c. Stay-open valve (no use of hands).
d. Valve remains on until the user shut it off.

3. Installation
a. 10 second from the hazard. Must be on the same level as the hazard
and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions that inhibit the immediate
use of the equipment.
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b. Shower location shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign.

4. Maintenance & Training

a. Shower shall be tested weekly to verify correct operation.
b. A person who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in
the use of the equipment.

3 EYE WASHES

3.1 Types

 Plumbed Eye Wash: An eye wash unit permanently connected to source of

portable water.

 Gravity feed Eye Wash: An eye wash device contains its own flushing fluid and
must be refilled or replace after used.

3.2 Specification

1. Heads
a. Head and flushing fluid must be protected from airborne contaminants
and the removal of any protective devices must not require a separate motion
by the user when unit is activated.
b. Positioned 15.3 cm (6”) from wall or nearest obstruction.
c. Nozzles must be positioned between 83.5cm to 114.3 cm (33” to 45”)
from the floor.
d. 1.5 liter/min (0.4 gallons per minute (GPM)) at 30 psi pressure for 15
minute for plumbed units.
e. 1.5 liter/min (0.4 gallons per minute (GPM)) for 15 minute for gravity-
feed units.

2. Valves
a. Activate in 1 second or less
b. Stay-opened valve (leaving hands free)

3. Installation
a. 10 second from the hazard. Must be on the same level as the hazard
and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions that inhibit the immediate
use of the equipment.
b. The location of eye wash shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a
sign.

4. Maintenance & Training

a. Plumbed eye wash units shall be activated weekly to verify proper
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operation.
b. Gravity-feed unit shall be maintained according to the manufacturer’s
instruction.

c. A person who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in

the use of the equipment.

4 EYE/FACE WASHES

A device used to irrigate and flush both the faces and the eyes.

4.1 Specifications

1. Heads
a. Positioned 838 cm to 114.3 cm (33’ to 45”) from floor.
b. 15.3 cm (6”) from wall or nearest obstruction.
c. Large heads to cover both eyes and face or regular size eye wash
heads plus a face spray ring.
d. 11.25 liter/min (3 gallon per minutes (GPM)) at 30 psi pressure for 15
minutes.
2. Valves
a. Same as eye wash.

3. Installation
a. Same as eye wash.

4. Valves
a. Same as eye wash.

5 DRENCH HOSES

Hand-held Drench Hose: a flexible hose connected to a water supply and used to
irrigate and flush eyes, face and body areas.

5.1 Specifications

1. Heads
a. 11.25 liter/min (3 gallon per minutes (GPM)) for 15 minutes.

2. Valves
a. Activate in 1 second or less

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3. Installation
a. Assemble per manufacturer specifications.
b. The location of the drench hose shall be in a well-lit area and identified
with sign.

4. Maintenance & Training

a. Activate weekly to verify proper operation.
b. A person who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in
the use of the equipment.
Note: Hand-held drench hoses support shower and eye wash units but shall
not replace them.

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