Since the ANSI Z358.1 standard for this emergency flushing equipment was initiated in 1981, there have been five revisions with the latest in 2014. In each revision, this flushing equipment is made safer for workers and current workplace environments. In the FAQ’s below, you will find answers that are commonly asked about this emergency equipment. We hope this is helpful to you and your organization.
OSHA REQUIREMENTS
Who determines when a facility needs an emergency eyewash station?
The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) is the regulatory agency that specifies where and when this emergency equipment is needed and OSHA depends on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop standards to specify the use and performance requirements. ANSI developed the ANSI Z 358.1 standard for this purpose.
What is the criteria that OSHA uses to make this determination?
OSHA states that whenever the eyes or body of a person could be exposed to corrosive material, then a facility shall provide equipment for the flushing and quick drenching in the work area for immediate emergency use.
What type of material is considered to be a corrosive material?
A chemical would be considered corrosive if it destroys or changes (irreversibly) the structure of human tissue at the site of contact after exposure for a specified period of time thereafter.
How do you know if a material in a workplace is corrosive?
Corrosive material is present in many workplaces either by themselves or contained in other materials. It is a good idea to refer to the MSDS sheets for all materials that there are exposures to in the workplace.
ANSI STANDARDS
How long have the ANSI standards for this equipment been available for the industrial workplace?
The ANSI Z 358.1 standard was first published in 1981 and then revised in 1990, 1998, 2004, 2009 and 2014.
Does the ANSI Z 358.1 standard only apply to eyewash stations?
No, the standard also applies to emergency showers and eye/face wash equipment.
FLUSHING & FLOW RATE REQUIREMENTS
What are the flushing requirements for eyewash stations?
A gravity fed portable and plumbed eyewash both require flushing of 0.4 (GPM) gallons per minute, which is 1.5 liters, for a full 15 minutes with valves that activate in 1 second or less and stay open to leave the hands free. A plumbed unit should provide the flushing fluid at 30 pounds per square inch (PSI) with an uninterrupted water supply.
Are there different flushing requirements for an eye/face wash station?
An eye/face wash station requires flushing of 3 (GPM) gallons per minute, which is 11.4 liters, for a full 15 minutes There should be larger eyewash heads that can cover both eyes and face or a face spray that can be used when regular size eye wash heads are installed on the unit. There are also units that have separate sprays for the eyes and separate sprays for the face. The location and maintenance of eye/face wash equipment is the same as for eyewash stations. The positioning is the same as for an eyewash station.
What are the flushing requirements for emergency showers?
Emergency showers that are permanently connected to a source of potable water in a facility must have a flow rate of 20 (GPM) gallons per minute, which is 75.7 liters, and 30 (PSI) pounds per square inch of a water supply that is uninterrupted. The valves must activate in 1 second or less and must stay open to leave the hands free. The valves on these units should not shut off until they are shut off by the user.
Are there any special requirements for Combination Showers that contain an eyewash and shower component?
The eyewash component and the shower component must each be individually certified. When the unit is turned on, neither component can lose water pressure because of the other component being activated at the same time.
How high should the flushing fluid rise from the head of the eyewash station to safely flush the eyes?
The flushing fluid should be high enough to allow a user to be able to hold eyes open while flushing. It should cover the areas between the inside and outside lines of a gauge at some point less than eight (8) inches.
How fast should the flushing fluid flow out of the heads?
The upward flow should be controlled at a minimum flow rate with low velocity in order to ensure that a victim’s eyes are not further damaged by the flow of the flushing fluid.
TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS
What is the temperature requirement for the flushing fluid in an eyewash station according to ANSI/ISEA Z 358.1 2014?
The water temperature for the flushing fluid must be tepid which means somewhere between 60º and 100ºF. (16º-38º C). Keeping the flushing fluid between these two temperatures will encourage an injured worker to stay within the guidelines of ANSI Z 358.1 2014 for a full 15 minutes of flushing which will help to prevent further injury to the eye(s) and prevention of the further absorption of chemicals.
How can the temperature be controlled to remain between 60º and 100ºF in plumbed emergency eyewash or showers in order to comply with the revised standard?
If the flushing fluid is determined to not be between 60º and 100º, thermostatic mixing valves can be installed to ensure a consistent temperature for the eyewash or shower. There are also turnkey units available where the hot water can be specifically dedicated to one particular unit. For large facilities with many eye wash and showers, there are more complex systems that can be installed to maintain the temperature between the 60º and 100ºF for all of the units in the facility.
Post time: May-23-2019
