Q. How often do I need to test my emergency eye wash and shower equipment?
Q. Is there a recommended temperature range for the flushing solution from emergency eye wash or shower equipment?
Q. How long do I have to test my emergency eye wash or shower during the weekly test?
Q. What is meant by “personal eye wash?”
Q. Why do eyewash solutions have an expiration date?
Q. Are there guidelines on where I should locate an emergency eye wash or shower?
A. Plumbed eye wash and shower units shall be activated weekly to verify proper operation. If you have a gravity-feed unit, you need to check the manufacturer’s recommendation for your unit. All emergency eye wash and shower equipment should be inspected annually to ensure compliance with the ANSI Z358.1 installation requirements. This includes flow pattern and flushing fluid flow rates.
A. The ANSI standard states that emergency eye wash and shower equipment should deliver tepid flushing fluid. Tepid water is referenced in Appendix B6 of the ANSI Z358.1 standard as having a temperature range of 60 to 100 degrees F.
A. Plumbed equipment should be tested long enough to ensure proper operation. It does not have to be tested for a full 15 minutes.
A. It is a supplementary eye wash that supports plumbed units, gravity-feed units or both by delivering immediate flushing fluid. However, a personal eye wash unit cannot be a substitute for an emergency eye wash unit because it is not capable of delivering flushing fluid to both eyes simultaneously at the ANSI Z358.1 required rate of 0.4 gallons per minute for 15 consecutive minutes.
A. Eyewash solutions have an expiration date due to the effectiveness of the preservative present in the solution. Preservatives are used to inhibit bacteria growth. Over time, these preservatives lose their effectiveness. The expiration date serves as a warning that the solution may not be able to prevent bacteria growth past that date. Any solution past its expiration date should not be used.
A. Yes. Eye wash and shower equipment should be accessible and should not require more than 10 seconds or approximately 55 feet to reach. The unit should be located on the same floor as the hazard and the path should be free of obstructions (doors are considered obstructions in most cases) that may inhibit the immediate use of the equipment.
First published in "the Operator", December 2006
