Emergency eyewash stations, as well as shower equipment, are addressed by ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014: American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment. This standard, written and published by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), an ANSI-accredited standards developing organization, establishes minimum performance and use guidelines for eyewash and shower equipment for the emergency treatment of the eyes or body of someone who has been exposed to hazardous materials.

ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 covers emergency showers, eyewashes, eye/face washes, and combination units, and it is intended to provide uniform minimum guidelines for their performance, use, installation, test procedures, maintenance, and training. Each clause in ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 details a separate type of equipment. For all this equipment, including emergency showers, eyewashes, and similar equipment, the American National Standard states that the flushing liquid’s velocity and quantity should be controlled, and that a control valve should be simple to operate and go from off to on in 1 second or less. The valve should also be resistant to corrosion. Emergency showers and eyewashes, in accordance with ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014, should deliver tepid flushing fluid. However, there are certain circumstances in which a facilities safety/health advisor should be consulted for optimum temperature. Tepid fluid is considered 16-38 degrees Celsius (60-100 degrees Fahrenheit). It is also the installer’s responsibility to assure that the shower or eyewash station is positioned so that it is highly visible and accessible, being in locations that take no more than 10 seconds to reach.

ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014–American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment      PDF DOWNLOAD