Safety Showers & Eyewashes Program

Signage

• A sign should be presence, visible, and in good condition. 

Accessibility

• The area surrounding the unit should be free from clutter.
• If there is clutter, can it be safely moved?
• There should be less than a 10 seconds of travel time between the hazard and the unit.
• No more than one door should be in between the hazard and the unit.

State of the Unit

• The unit should be free from broken caps, missing caps, cracks in nozzle heads, and calcified nozzles.
• None of the unit's plumbing connection points should be leaky.
• Units should not continue to run after deactivation.
• The unit should be stably mounted.
• The unit should be easy to activate and have a hands-free stay-open valve. 

Water Pressure and Pattern

• Water streams need to be able to adequately reach both eyes in order to flush them in an emergency without injury or obstruction.
• When placing a gloved hand or testing gauge in the water streams, does the pressure feel too strong or too weak?

Temperature

• When placing a gloved hand in the water stream, does the temperature feel too hot?
• Is there any steam coming off of the water?

State of water 

• After an initial flushing period, there should not be discoloration or particles in the water.
• If the water is discolored, run the unit for a full 15 minutes to ensure that it clears up.
• If there are particles in the water, it could be hard water debris or filter decomposition.

Failed Eyewash

• Notify building manager so that they can put in a work order ticket   
• The plumbing team will receive this ticket, laboratories will be notified of upcoming repairs, and repairs will be initiated 

These are examples of eyewashes that you would need to let your building administrator know about: 

• 1 min: unstable water flow 

• 1 min: multiple issues 

• 1 min: only one eye can be washed 

• 2 min: over heating  

These are examples of eyewashes that would pass a weekly activation

• 1 min: Why we require weekly eyewash flushes 

• 1 min: combo unit 

• 1 min: recessed unit 

• 1 min: Bradley eye and face wash 

• 1 min: sink mount 

It is the responsibility of occupants and users of spaces to activate eyewashes in their space weekly. In many locations, testing logs must be completed and saved for future reference. 

EHRS is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering the University of Pennsylvania HCP.

It is the responsibility of FRES project managers to reference EHRS requirements for emergency irrigation and install approved devices.

It is the responsibility of the FRES plumbing shop to submit emergency irrigation work orders and communicate completion with EHRS. FRES plumbing shop is responsible for submitting safety shower test records to EHRS.

It is the responsibility of HUP Building Administrators to submit EHRS's emergency irrigation work orders. 

It is the responsibility of HUP Physical Plant plumbing staff to share emergency shower testing records with EHRS. 

It is the responsibility of university building administrators to submit emergency irrigation work orders resulting from building occupants findings. 

Models and Makes

• Guardian - this brand produces high-quality equipment that is easily obtainable and has an eye-catching color
• Haws - the brand produces high-quality equipment that is easily obtainable 
• Drench hoses with eyewash attachments - this style tends to be better functioning than other models 
• Recessed combination units - this style fits into laboratory spaces nicely

*Existing buildings may replace like with like unless EHRS determines otherwise (untempered may remain untempered, tempered must remain tempered)

Good Practice Highlights

• Ensuring that the occupancy and users of laboratory spaces are aware of where emergency irrigation units are located and how to active them
• Weekly testing of units
• Clean and organized surrounding spaces

Preferred Models and Makes

• Guardian - this brand produces high-quality equipment that is easily obtainable and has an eye-catching color
• Haws - the brand produces high-quality equipment that is easily obtainable 
• Drench hoses with biocular eyewash attachments - this style tends to be better functioning than other models 
• Recessed combination units - this style fits into laboratory spaces nicely

Undesirable Models and Makes

• Water Saver Faucet Company - this brand produces less reliable equipment
• Faucet Mounted Eyewash - the style is not permitted at the university 
• Gravity-fed or Portable Eyewashes - these styles only appropriate in specific situations if recommended by EHRS
• Drench hoses without eyewash attachments - this style is not appropriate for emergency irrigation

Good Practices

• Check in with the plumbing team if unsure of best fit before installing

*New construction installations of emergency irrigation must be tempered