Emergency Eyewash/Shower System Installation & Design Techniques

This article is about Emergency Eyewash/Shower System Installation & Design Techniques of Plumbing System as per international codes and standards.

Emergency Eyewash/Shower System Installation & Design Techniques

Emergency Eyewash/Shower

“Emergency Eyewashes and Showers shall be permanently installed.
Note: Temporary installations are permitted if approved by Chief Fire Prevention or his representative in consultation with the Environmental Compliance Division ”
Combination units (Shower and Eyewash) shall be assembled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction (if shipped with the components separate)
“Emergency Shower head shall be located (installed) so that a water column is provided that is not less than 82 inches nor more than 96 inches.
(ANSI Z358.1 Para 4.1)”
Eyewash Unit (plumbed or self contained) shall be positioned with water nozzles 33 inches to 45 inches from the floor and 6 inches minimum from the wall or the nearest obstruction. (ANSI Z358.1 Para 5.4.1)
Eye / face wash units shall be positioned with water nozzles 33 inches to 45 inches from the floor and 6 inches minimum from the wall or the nearest obstruction. (ANSI Z358.1 Para 7.4.1)
Hand-held sprays are permitted in temporary installation in place of safety showers
In permanent installations, hand-held drench hoses may be used only as auxiliary equipment in support of eyewash and shower units, not in place of eyewash and shower units
“Emergency Eyewashes and Showers shall be no closer that 3 meter or further than 15 meter from a hazard.
Note: For sever hazards consult with the Industrial Hygiene Unit and Medical Services to determine the proper distance”
Emergency Eyewashes and Showers shall be accessible from the hazard without the use of stairs, a ladder or a door.
“Emergency Eyewashes and Showers shall be at least three (3) meter from electrical equipment and power outlets that are not protected by GFCIs.
Note: For Battery Rooms see item No. A11 in this SAIC.ê”
“Emergency Eyewash (no Shower) in battery room shall be at least 1.5 meter from electrical equipment and power outlets that are not protected by GFCIs.
Note: Only an eyewash is required in the battery room, provided that there is no acid mixing activity to be done inside the battery room. If a shower is provided then 3 meter separation is required”
Emergency Eyewashes and Showers shall be installed in well lighted area (100 lux minimum)

Emergency Eyewash/Shower Accessories

1. An appropriate sign with words in Arabic and English shall be mounted in a clearly visible location near each permanent Emergency Shower and Eyewash. Words shall be as shown below:

   1. Emergency Shower:

      1. Get into shower immediately –
      2. Remove Contaminated clothing while showering
      3. Shower for at least 15 minutes
      4. Summon medical assistance

   2.  Emergency Eyewash:

      1. Flush Eye Immediately
      2. Hold eyes open rolling them back and forth during flushing
      3. Flush for at least 15 minutes
      4. Summon medical assistance
2. All permanently installed eyewashes and showers shall be provided with drainage for periodic testing, such as surface drainage to a catch basin
   Permanently installed safety shower and eyewash units shall have a vertical background area nominally 1 m wide by 2 m high painted with either alternating green and white stripes approximately 152 mm wide or a solid green color
   If an alarm is provided, the alarm shall be activated when either the eyewash or safety shower is activated
   If an alarm is provided, the alarm shall sound at a location that is attended during all working hours, such as a control room and the vicinity of the eyewash/shower
   If an alarm is provided, the alarm shall be activated by a flow switch or by microswitches on the operating valves.
   If an alarm is provided, the alarm shall show on a visual display board in the attended location to identify the location of the emergency.
   Shower Enclosures, if used, shall provide for a minimum unobstructed area of 34 inches in diameter. (ANSI Z358.1 Para 4.4)
   Water supply systems shall be certified as suitable for the purpose by Saudi Aramco Environmental Compliance Division/ Environmental Protection Division.

Emergency Eyewash/Shower supply and drainage piping connection

1. No permanent or temporary connections shall be made to the water supply for other purposes
2. Strainer shall be provided in the water supply to permanently installed eyewash.
3. Block valve (car-sealed open) shall be provided in the water supply system
4. Block valve (car-sealed open) shall be painted safety orange
5. Connection between dissimilar metal shall be by means of a dielectric or insulating unions.
6. Cross-Connection and Backflow Prevention – The water supply connection shall comply to the requirements of SASC-S-01; SAES-L-310; SAES-S-040; SAES-S-060 and SAES-S-070 for control of cross-connection.
7. Color Coding and Identification
8. All newly constructed and existing repaired or modified domestic water piping shall be protected from contamination during installation and shall be disinfected in accordance with the requirements of Section SASC-S-01, of Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code, GI-0051.006.

International Codes and Standard References for Emergency Eyewash/Shower System Installation

1-SAES-B-069 — Emergency Eyewash and Showers.
2-SAES-B-067 — Safety Identification and Color-Coding.
3-SAES-S-070 — Installation of Utility Piping System.
4-ANSI Z-358.1 — American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment.

Emergency Eyewash/Shower Receiving, Handling, Storage and Preservation