Arboles UK, Safety Showers & the ANSI Standard

Unsure about the ANSI requirements for your emergency shower or eyewash? Read on!

ANSI approved Emergency Shower
The Arboles UK P4 ANSI approved tank fed emergency shower

The Arboles UK range of emergency devices are designed to meet and exceed the current standards for EN (European), APPLUS (American) DIN, DVGW (German) and the much coveted ANSI. 

The ANSI standard that governs our realm of safety showers and eyewashes is the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 and we’ve created a brief guide that will help you when looking for your shower / eyewash solution. This is by no means an exhaustive guide, it is more of a bite size chunk to get you started. You can refer to the complete standard here for a full list of requirements. 

Arboles UK - 4250 - Emergency Shower with Trace Heating
Arboles UK – 4250 – Emergency Shower with Trace Heating

Safety Showers / Eyewashes / Tank Fed / Portable safety units 

  • All units must be located within 10 seconds OR 15 meters of a potential hazard 
  • Access must be clutter and obstacle free 
  • All units should be illuminated correctly and/or be highly visible along with signage 
  • Any doors fitted must not have a lock and must open in the direction toward the emergency device 
  • All units must be visually inspected AND activated weekly to flush any debris and also to ensure the device is in optimal working order 
  • All units must be serviced manually to assure conformance to above standard 
  • All employees who may be subject to hazardous substances must be trained in the use and locations of the devices 

Safety Showers 

  • Must be capable of delivering 75.7 litres per minute for 15 minutes 
  • Tepid water is suggested (16°C – 38 °C) to prevent thermal shock and ensure casualties can use the shower for the full duration of 15 minutes 
  • The shower head is between 208 – 244cm from the floor 
    Stay open valve (hands free) activates in one second or less 
  • Shower actuators no higher than 173cm from the floor 

Arboles UK - Trace Heated and Insulated Emergency Shower
Emergency Eyewash

Eyewashes

  • Eyewash must deliver 11.4 litres per minute for 15 minutes 
  • Self contained eyewash shall deliver 1.5 litres per minute for 15 minutes 
  • Eyewash heads must be positioned between 84 – 114cm from the floor 
  • Eyewash heads to be protected from airborne contaminants  
  • Actuator to be easily accessible 

If you would like expert advice in designing your solution, please contact the Arboles UK team on 0044 (0) 1204 388 814 or via Contact Us.