The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) frequently issues citations relating to the lack
of emergency eyewash fountains and the lack of a deluge shower. The referenced OSHA standard is most often
29 CFR 1910.151(c). The standard states:
“Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable
facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work
area for immediate emergency use.”
There is no exact criteria describing what specific chemical properties or amounts will invoke the standard.
The current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard, ANSI Z358.1, Standard for Emergency Eyewash
and Shower Equipment, provides details on eyewash and shower equipment and system specifications. When the
ANSI standard was updated in 1998, it featured a significant change to the original version that relates to
the location of emergency flushing facilities. In response to end-user concerns, the newer standard emphasizes
the time it takes a worker to reach the eyewash or shower, rather than the distance traveled. Therefore the
flushing facility should be located such that it is not just close at hand but also easy to access.
Here are general recommendations for location and operation of deluge showers:
- A deluge shower should not take the place of an eyewash fountain.
- Deluge showers should be overhead units that are designed to dump a high volume of well-dispersed water after an actuator valve (usually a large ring) is pulled.
- The shower should be mounted with head height 82 - 96 inches (208.3 - 243.8 cm) from the floor or a platform.
- The valve actuator should be located less than or equal to 69 inches (173.3 cm) above the floor or platform.
- The shower should provide a minimum flow of 20 gallons per minute (75.7 liters per minute) of flushing fluid in a dispersed pattern.
- The water temperature should be tepid or lukewarm between 15 and 35 degrees C (60 and 95 degrees F).
- The travel time should be less than or equal to 10 seconds.
- The shower location should be well-lit, highly visible and marked with a highly visible sign.
- The shower should be checked weekly to flush lines and verify proper operation.
- All workers should be trained on the proper operation of the shower.
- The shower should be operable at all times with provisions to prevent unauthorized shutoff.
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