Technical information about safety showers
1. safety showers are lifesavers
Accidents can happen anywhere. People who handle aggressive chemicals such as acids, alkalis, solvents and flammable substances are particularly at risk. Eye injuries can also occur quickly in areas where there is dust or where wood or metals are processed.
In the event of burns or contact with chemicals, body showers directly at the workplace are a basic requirement for rapid first aid. Eye showers make it possible to rinse the eyes of foreign bodies, dust or chemicals immediately after an incident.
Typical sources of danger in laboratories and industry include:
- Workplaces where toxic or aggressive media are handled.
- Furnaces and open fires, as well as all areas with hot media (e.g. steam, boiling water, oil or grease).
- Work that produces chips and dust.
- Areas where hazardous dusts, gases or vapours may occur.
Such workplaces can be found almost everywhere: in laboratories, warehouses, workshops, kitchens, the chemical industry, the metal industry or on ships. Burns, scalds and chemical burns are among the injuries where immediate first aid is crucial to limit the damage. The faster one of these injuries is treated with plenty of water, the sooner damage to the deeper tissue can be prevented!
2. Installation recommendations for safety showers and eye showers
A great deal of damage and suffering can be avoided if hazardous workplaces are equipped with a sufficient number of suitable safety showers for the eyes and body. In the event of an accident, every second counts, so it is crucial that the shower is located at least in the same room as the hazardous workplace. Distances of more than 10 metres should be avoided.
Thanks to the highly versatile modular system from B-SAFETY, it is easy to find the right solution for any installation situation. The components are designed so that they can be easily combined in a variety of ways, even retrospectively. The wall-mounted safety shower combinations are very easy to install, as only one water connection is required for both fittings, which can be either at the top or bottom. Find out more at ClassicLine safety shower combination, with eye-/face wash unit with bowl and lid. Freestanding combinations are often used in warehouses and industrial buildings when wall mounting is not possible or the distance to the hazardous workplace is too great. You can find the freestanding safety shower at PremiumLine body safety shower with eye-/face wash unit with bowl and lid.
Normally, it is sufficient to provide one safety shower for several workstations. Easily accessible, central locations are ideal for this purpose. The area around sinks, for example, is suitable for installing eye showers. Body showers can be installed centrally above doors to save space.
All employees must be aware of the location of the shower, and it must be possible for a blind person to find their way there. It is important that safety showers are accessible at all times. Their locations must be clearly marked with signs. To enable help to be summoned quickly, the showers can be equipped with a device that triggers an alarm signal to a remote control centre when activated.
3. Areas of application for safety showers and eye showers according to hazardous substances
Safety showers and eye showers are used in the event of exposure to various hazardous substances and chemicals. The employers’ liability insurance associations in Germany prescribe the use of safety showers and eye showers, for example (this is a small selection), for the following substances (source: GUV information and hazardous substance databases of the employers’ liability insurance associations):
| Hazardous substances | Body shower | Eye shower | Rinsing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acids (general) | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes, then consult an ophthalmologist immediately - Rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, call an emergency doctor |
| Alkalis (general) | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes, then consult an ophthalmologist immediately - Rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, call an emergency doctor |
| Ammonia | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes and skin with plenty of water - Remove contaminated clothing - After inhalation, get fresh air |
| Arsenic hydrogen | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes and skin with plenty of water - After inhalation, fresh air or oxygen |
| Barium compound | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes and skin with plenty of water - If swallowed, induce vomiting and administer a 2 to 5% sodium sulphate solution |
| Benzene | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes with plenty of water - Wash skin with soap and water - After inhalation, get fresh air - After swallowing, take medicinal charcoal |
| Bromine | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes and skin with plenty of water - After inhalation, get fresh air |
| Chlorine | yes | yes | - Respiratory protection for the first aider! - Rinse eyes with plenty of water - Wash skin with soap and water - After inhalation, get fresh air |
| Hydrogen chloride | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes and skin with plenty of water - Remove contaminated clothing - After inhalation, get fresh air |
| Chromates | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes with plenty of water - Wash skin with soap and water - If swallowed, induce vomiting |
| Iodine | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes with plenty of water - Wash skin with soap and water - After inhalation, breathe fresh air - After swallowing, drink milk |
| Methanol | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes and skin with plenty of water - After inhalation, provide fresh air or oxygen - After swallowing, induce vomiting, administer medicinal charcoal, consult a doctor! |
| Hydrogen sulphide | yes | yes | - Respiratory protection for the first aider - Rinse eyes and skin with plenty of water - After inhalation, fresh air, preferably oxygen - Medical supervision |
| Silver nitrate | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes and skin with plenty of water - If swallowed, drink 10% saline solution, induce vomiting, rinse mouth and throat with plenty of water |
| Toluene | yes | yes | - Rinse eyes with plenty of water - Wash skin with soap and water - After inhalation, get fresh air - After swallowing, administer medicinal charcoal |
4. Areas of application for safety showers and eye showers according to standards – laboratory guidelines
Safety showers and eye showers are mandatory in laboratories. The guidelines for laboratories issued by the German employers’ liability insurance associations apply here. The rules for safety and health protection in laboratories GUV 16.17 and the Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances ‘Laboratories’ TRGS 526 are identical to the laboratory guidelines:
Guidelines for laboratories BGI/GuV-I 850-0 (excerpt):
6.6 Safety showers
6.6.1 Body safety showers
6.6.1.1 Water flow rate and location
Laboratories must be equipped with body safety showers fed with water – preferably of drinking water quality – installed at the exit. They should be able to immediately flood all areas of the body with sufficient quantities of water. This requires at least 30 litres of water per minute.
…
It should be possible to reach an emergency body shower from any location in the laboratory within a maximum of 5 seconds. The exact location of the emergency shower depends on the results of the risk assessment.
…
6.6.1.2 Identification
The location of emergency body showers must be identified by the ‘emergency shower’ rescue sign. Access must be kept clear at all times.
…
6.6.2 Safety eye wash stations
6.6.2.1 General requirements
In laboratories, safety eye wash stations supplied with drinking water quality water must be installed – if possible in the area of the body shower or at the sink – in such a way that they can be reached immediately from every workplace. They should be able to rinse both eyes immediately with sufficient quantities of water.
…
Eye wash bottles containing sterile rinsing fluid are permitted if running drinking water is not available.
…
They must be easily and quickly accessible. The eyes must be rinsed with the eyelids spread wide open in order to remove all chemical residues. Rinsing must be carried out for a long time, with a guideline of at least 10 minutes, and a medical examination of the eye must be carried out immediately.
…
6.6.2.2 Location and identification
The location of eye wash stations must be identified by the emergency sign ‘Eye wash station’. Access must be kept clear at all times.
…
7.2 Safety showers
The employer must ensure that body and eye wash stations are checked for proper functioning at least once a month by a person appointed by the employer.
During the test, the volume flow, the water distribution pattern of the shower head and the quality of the water must be assessed by visual inspection.
Otherwise, there is no guarantee that the operating valve will remain smooth-running and that the shower head will remain unobstructed. Frequent water changes also help to prevent contamination and germ growth in the water pipes.
It is recommended that safety showers be operated more frequently.
5. Equipment for eye showers – EN 15154-2:2006 (excerpt)
1. Area of application
This European standard is a product standard that specifies functional requirements for safety eye showers connected to the water supply. It applies only to safety eye showers with a water connection.
Requirements are specified with regard to the function, installation, adjustment and labelling of eye wash stations, as well as requirements for the installation, operating and maintenance equipment to be provided by the manufacturer.
….
4. Performance
4.1 Water flow rate
Eye showers with a water connection must be designed to deliver a constant flow rate of at least 6 litres per minute at a flow pressure specified by the manufacturer; the flow pressure must be indicated and measured at the connection of the shower to the water supply. The eye shower must deliver this water flow for at least 15 minutes.
The water velocity must be low enough not to injure the user.
The outlet(s) must be protected against airborne contaminants. Regardless of the type of protective device, it must be removable without additional action by the user when using the eye wash.
4.2 Spray height
The spray produced by the outlet opening(s) must, measured from the centre of the outlet opening(s), spray at a minimum height of 100 mm and a maximum height of 300 mm before it tips over or collapses.
4.3 Water quality
Drinking water or water of similar quality in accordance with European or national standards is required for eye showers.
The materials used in the construction of the eye showers must not affect the water quality or contaminate the water supply.
4.4 Water temperature (informative)
Continuous and early sprinkling of affected body surfaces over the recommended sprinkling time are fundamental factors in first aid treatment. When providing suitable aids, it is important to ensure that the water temperature is appropriate for the recommended irrigation time. Medical recommendations suggest lukewarm water for treating tissue that has been chemically affected. Temperatures above 37°C have been found to be harmful to the eyes and can intensify chemical reactions in the eye or on the skin. While cold water provides immediate cooling after burns or chemical contact, prolonged exposure to water that is too cold impairs the ability to maintain adequate body temperature and may lead to premature termination of first aid. More recent information indicates that a water temperature of 15°C is suitable as the lower limit for lukewarm water without causing hypothermia in the user.
4.5 Filter (informative)
To prevent the accumulation of waterborne contaminants, the water supply line may be equipped with a fine-pored filter or sieve.
5. Installation requirements
The outlet openings of eye wash stations with water connection that are installed in a fixed position must be designed so that they can be installed at a height of (1000+/-150) mm above the floor level on which the user stands; the distance from the nearest wall or obstacle must be 150 mm.
6. Shut-off valve
When operated manually, the shut-off valve must be fully open after a maximum rotation of 90° or a maximum pull of 200 mm. The force required to operate the valve must not exceed 100 N, and the torque required to operate the valve must not exceed 7 Nm. The shut-off valve must be fully open within 1 second when this force or torque is applied.
….
After opening, the shut-off valve must not close automatically. The direction of movement of the operating element must be clearly recognisable and unambiguous.
….
7. Outlet openings
The eye shower unit must be designed in such a way that there is sufficient space to keep both eyelids open while the eyes are under the water jet.
Adjustments to the outlet opening(s) with regard to the direction of the jet may only be possible with the use of a tool.
For maintenance purposes, the outlet opening(s) must be removable, but only with the use of a tool.
8. Information to be provided by the manufacturer
The manufacturer must provide information on installation, handling and maintenance of the eye wash, as well as information on the method and frequency of maintenance checks.
9. identification
The eye shower must be marked with a clear and non-removable label indicating the lowest and highest flow pressure and the highest static pressure. The labelling must be provided by the manufacturer and must indicate the name of the manufacturer and the model or item number.
In addition, the manufacturer must supply a safety sign in accordance with ISO 9864-1 that can be affixed near the eye wash station.
6. Equipment for body showers in laboratories – EN 15154-1:2006 (excerpt)
1. Area of application
This European standard is a product standard that specifies functional requirements for safety body showers connected to the water supply. It does not apply to safety showers in production facilities or similar areas.
Requirements are specified with regard to the function, installation, adjustment and labelling of the showers, as well as requirements for the installation, operating and maintenance equipment to be provided by the manufacturer.
…
4. Performance
4.1 Water flow rate
The water supplied by the body shower must have a constant flow rate in accordance with national regulations at a flow pressure to be specified by the manufacturer; the flow pressure must be indicated and measured at the connection of the shower to the water supply. The body shower must supply this water flow for at least 15 minutes.
NOTE: If no national or local regulations apply, a volume flow of at least 60 l/min is suitable.
Spray pattern of a body shower in accordance with
EN 15154-1:2006
(dimensions in millimetres)
4.2 Water distribution
The water distribution of the body shower must be determined using the following type examination procedures:
At a distance of 700 mm below the shower head, (50 +/- 10)% of the water volume delivered must fall within a circle with a radius of 200 mm; the water height in the individual subdivisions of this circle must not deviate by more than 30% from the mean value.
At this measurement height, the area into which at least 95% of the water falls must be limited to a circle with a radius of 400 mm.
The force of the water jet must be low enough not to injure the user.
4.3 Water quality
Drinking water or water of similar quality in accordance with European or national standards is required for body showers.
The materials used to construct the shower must not contaminate the water quality.
4.4 Water temperature (informative)
Continuous and early sprinkling of affected body surfaces over the recommended sprinkling time are fundamental factors in first aid treatment. When providing suitable aids, it is important to ensure that the water temperature is appropriate for the recommended irrigation time. Medical recommendations suggest lukewarm water for treating tissue that has been chemically affected. Temperatures above 37°C have been found to be harmful to the eyes and can intensify chemical reactions in the eye or on the skin.
While cold water provides immediate cooling after burns or chemical contact, prolonged exposure to water that is too cold impairs the ability to maintain adequate body temperature and may lead to premature termination of first aid. More recent information indicates that a water temperature of 15°C is suitable as the lower limit for lukewarm water without causing hypothermia in the user.
5. Installation requirements
5.1 Installation height
The shower head must be designed for an installation height of (2200+/-100) mm, measured from its lower edge to the floor level on which the user stands.
5.2 Space requirements
The free space between the fall line of the shower head and the nearest obstacle (wall, vertical supply pipe or similar) must be a circle with a radius of at least 400 mm.
6. Shut-off valve
When operated manually, the shut-off valve must be fully open after a maximum rotation of 90° or a maximum pull of 200 mm. The force required for operation must not exceed 100 N, and the torque required for operation must not exceed 7 Nm. The shut-off valve must be fully open within 1 second when this force or torque is applied.
.…
The shut-off valve must not close automatically after opening. The direction of movement of the operating element must be clearly recognisable and unambiguous.
.…
7. Shower head
Adjustments to the shower head with regard to the spray direction or water distribution must only be possible with a tool.
The shower head must drain automatically between the shut-off valve and the outlet. The shower head must be removable for maintenance, but only with the use of a tool.
8. Information to be provided by the manufacturer
The manufacturer must provide information on installation, handling and maintenance of the emergency shower, as well as information on the method and frequency of maintenance checks.
9. identification
The shower must be clearly and permanently marked with the lowest and highest flow pressure and the highest static pressure. The marking must be provided by the manufacturer and must indicate the name of the manufacturer and the model or item number.
In addition, the manufacturer must supply a safety label in accordance with ISO 3864-1, which can be affixed nearby.
7. Hot water supply for safety showers and eye showers
The supply of hot water to safety showers and eye showers is a crucial aspect. According to EN 15154-1:2006 and EN 15154-2:2006, a rinsing time of at least 15 minutes is required to remove the harmful substances as completely as possible. In the case of very aggressive chemicals that penetrate deep into the skin, a treatment time of up to 60 minutes may even be necessary.
Prolonged exposure of the skin to water that is too cold (below 15°C) can lead to hypothermia. It should be noted that any water temperature below 32°C causes the body temperature to drop steadily. Particularly critical is the property of water to extract heat from the body up to 25 times faster than air. The body can become hypothermic after just a few minutes – it becomes critical when the body temperature drops below 32°C!
Temperatures above 37°C have been found to be harmful to the eyes and can intensify chemical reactions in the eye or on the skin.
Medical recommendations indicate that a lukewarm temperature – between 15 and 37°C – is optimal for treating chemically damaged tissue. For this reason, EN 15154-1:2006 and EN 15154-2:2006 recommend supplying emergency and eye showers with tempered water between 15 and 37°C.
8. Checklist / Maintenance of Safety Showers and Eye Showers
9. Behaviour in an emergency
In the event of an accident involving burns or contact with hazardous liquids or gases, it is important to:
- Immediately rinse the affected areas of the body with plenty of water!
- Remove any affected clothing that is not stuck to the skin as quickly as possible!
- Depending on the severity of the chemical burn, the eyes should be rinsed for up to 15 minutes in accordance with BG guidelines!
- In the event of eye injuries, hold the eyelids open while rinsing!
- Call an ambulance as soon as possible and seek medical advice!
- Continue rinsing during transport and in the first-aid room! This requires eye wash bottles, which you can find in our online shop at the following link: https://b-safety24.com/augenspuelflaschen.html
- If possible, inform the doctor about the substance in question and advise them of possible countermeasures!
Please also visit our YouTube channel for further information: https://www.youtube.com/@B-SafetyGmbH
This application video shows an example of how to use a body emergency shower in an emergency: User Video
B-SAFETY