Hi All,

We have identified the need for an emergency shower. Does anyone know what we need to consider before installing such emergency equipment? Type, location...etc.

Thanks for any info.

Steve

How do you stop it freezing and if you trace heat it how do you control the water temperature.
Test frequency and maintainance schedule

Jane's findings are interesting although if someone has a dose of caustic or hot stuff over them, plenty of water, rapidly available is great first aid.

Location is crucial - it's little use having a shower in the yard if it's away from the hazardous area and liable to freezing. Equally important is instructing people of how to use the thing and how to effectively treat an affected person, ideally without becoming contaminated themselves.

I have hearsay evidence of a life being saved by the prompt use of an emergency shower, avoiding long term disfigurement too.

You may wish to refer to the so called "guidance" from a reputable safety shower supplier, with the usual caveats

http://www.hughes-safety...alog/DefinitiveGuide.pdf

Adams29600 asks some good questions, answering these will help put you in the right direction.

Other considerations are whether you can guarantee water pressure at all times in case the shower is needed, if not you will need water storage built in, which increases legionella risk potential, if water is stored you want it to have a 15min drench period (as per American standard ANSI Z358.1 2009).
Others have rightly mentioned themal shock / hypothermia, tepid water through heating will prevent this and is also more likely to keep an injured person in the shower for 15+ mins, however if you do have water heating it could also have scald potential so safety features need to be present to regulate temps.

Location should ideally take less than 10 seconds to reach from the hazard location, with no obstructions between the two points, and signage should be highly visible working on the basis that an injured person may have limited visibility.

Trace heating will help prevent freezing of water supply, so ideally the location will have power supply, if it does have a supply then you can also consider an alarm interlink so that it activates an audible sounder when used, this will prevent people using the kit for cleaning boots, equipment etc but also alerts nearby people if someone is using the shower following an incident, allowing a quick first aid response.

The last time I researched showers there was no British Standard so I followed ANSI Z358.1 2009, in the absence of UK requirements the shower manufacturers do tend to use this as a base for their designs

Alan