Optimum positioning and installation of emergency showers - the perfect location
The choice of location for emergency showers is crucial for effective first aid measures in an emergency. Safety-related factors play just as important a role as the technical and structural conditions at the desired installation site. In the following, you will learn what is important when choosing a location for emergency showers and gain detailed insights into various installation options. We also present solutions for outdoor installation and special cases such as installation in hazardous areas and for mobile use.
Choice of location for safety showers: safety-related aspects
The choice of location for emergency showers requires careful planning. After all, in an emergency, the speed with which an injured employee receives help is dependent on the optimum positioning of the emergency shower. From a safety perspective, three key aspects must be taken into account when installing safety showers: positioning, accessibility and visibility.
Positioning
In an emergency, the safety shower must be easily accessible. The DIN EN 15154 standard states that you must be able to reach the safety shower within a maximum of 10 seconds from the source of the hazard. In the case of particularly hazardous substances, this may be quicker. This depends on your risk assessment. The DGUV laboratory guidelines also specify a significantly faster time of maximum 5 seconds (section 6.6.1.1 DGUV Information 213-850). Our tip: Carry out a practical test and try out which radius you can reach from the source of danger in good time. For laboratories, TRGS 562 specifies positioning the safety shower at the exit.
Accessibility
Imagine you have something in your eye - your eyelids close reflexively and you have to reach the emergency shower with considerably restricted vision. If the path is not clear, you have a problem. Tripping hazards must be avoided at all costs when installing emergency showers. The injured person should not be forced to climb stairs, negotiate ramps or open doors. Therefore, always place the emergency shower on the same level as the source of danger and avoid barriers such as doors and gates on the way to the emergency shower. DIN EN 15154 also specifies corresponding requirements.
Visibility
Clear visibility is essential to ensure that the emergency shower is not overlooked. In addition to adequate lighting and clear emergency signs such as ‘’emergency shower‘’ or ‘’eyewash facility‘’, the choice of location itself can also contribute to improved visibility. For example, an emergency shower positioned in the centre of the room is far more conspicuous than one that is located in ‘the far corner’.
Technical requirements at the emergency shower location
In addition to safety-related considerations, the technical conditions at the desired installation location of the emergency shower must also be taken into account. It is crucial that all required connections and suitable mounting options for the emergency shower are available.
Water connections and water volume flow
It must be ensured at the installation site that there is sufficient water supply to operate the emergency shower. There are various aspects to consider here, depending on whether the shower has a permanent water connection or a storage tank, whether it is installed inside or outside. If installed outdoors, the emergency shower must be heated to prevent it from freezing. The minimum requirements for the water volume flow for various emergency shower designs are regulated in DIN EN 15154.
Water temperature
DIN EN 15154 recommends a lukewarm temperature for the emergency shower water between 15 and 37°C. To ensure an appropriate water temperature, there are, for example, thermostatic mixers available as accessories that can be connected to the emergency shower and ensure a correct temperature at the outlet point. If there is an uncontrolled increase in the hot water temperature or a failure of the cold water, the anti-scalding function of the thermostatic mixer is activated.
Locations without water connection
If there is no on-site water connection available, alternatively, depending on the installation location, the use of eyewash bottles with sterile rinsing liquid or the use of an emergency tank shower can be considered. The latter is independent of the water supply thanks to the integrated storage tank.
Protection against germ contamination through circulation
Emergency showers are also available which, in addition to the normal water connection, are also suitable for connection to a ring main or circulation pipe. The continuous water circulation within the system prevents stagnant water, which significantly reduces the risk of germ contamination.
Power connections
For emergency showers with electrical components such as lighting, alarm functions or temperature control, a power connection is also required.
Retention and disposal of process water
If the emergency shower is used to flush after accidents involving hazardous substances, there is a possibility that the service water will become contaminated. It is therefore important to consider options for retention and proper disposal when planning your emergency shower. Our individually configurable emergency showers can be equipped with a collection tray if required to meet these requirements.
Mounting options
Once you have narrowed down the optimal location for the emergency shower through safety considerations and the available connections, you still need to find a suitable installation option. The emergency shower must be attached stably and securely in order to function reliably in an emergency. The chosen installation method should also allow easy access to the emergency shower to facilitate quick use in emergency situations.
In order to find the right emergency shower according to your building structure and the available space, there are different types of installation that allow different attachments:
Floor mounting
Wall mounting
Ceiling mounting
Over-door mounting
Table assembly
The special features of each individual mounting option are explained in more detail below.
The variety of installation methods for emergency showers
In our extensive range, we offer emergency showers for various installation types to meet the different requirements of your working environment. Each installation type offers specific advantages and is designed to provide effective first aid in an emergency.
Wall mounting
Wall mounting is one of the most frequently used installation options for emergency showers, as it allows space-saving installation without compromising the work area. Due to its elevated position on the wall, the emergency shower is clearly visible and the required connections are usually already within easy reach.
The advantage of flush wall mounting is that the installation is concealed and the pipework is not visible. In laboratories, eye showers for wall mounting with feed-through (cell feed-through) are often used. This offers the option of concealed installation in energy cells to simplify planning and create a great deal of flexibility.
Table mounted
Eye showers are also available in a table-mounted version. This type of installation offers the advantage that they can be installed in the immediate vicinity of the workstation to provide targeted rinsing and immediate relief for eye or facial injuries as quickly as possible. It is important to note that eye showers for table mounting should be installed near a basin to drain the water. Eye showers with a vertically or horizontally swivelling arm offer the advantage that the basin remains freely accessible when the eye shower is not in use.
Floor mounting
Freestanding emergency showers are used if it is not possible to mount the emergency shower on a wall or if a central point of contact for first aid needs to be created that is easily accessible from many points - for example in large halls and production facilities. A major advantage is the good visibility and accessibility of the emergency shower from all sides. We offer body showers as well as combination and eye showers as floor-mounted models.
Ceiling mounting
Ceiling mounting is a suitable option if only a body shower is required and it cannot be mounted on the wall due to space restrictions. However, it is important to ensure that the ceiling is not too high so that employees can easily reach the safety shower. Ceiling installation is therefore less advisable in high halls. To ensure that the emergency shower is not an obstruction in the room, it should not be placed in the centre of the room or should be clearly marked.
Over-door mounting
The over-door mounting requires no additional space on the floor or wall and is therefore extremely space-saving. The raised position means that the emergency shower is clearly visible and easily accessible. In laboratories in particular, where the placement of an emergency shower at the exit is mandatory, the over-door installation offers an ideal mounting option.
The flexible mounting option of the pull rod makes it possible to mount it either to the right or left of the door. This allows the shower to be optimally positioned to ensure better accessibility and prevent collisions with other fixtures and fittings.
Special case: Outdoor installation of emergency showers
Various circumstances may require an outdoor emergency shower to be installed. There may be a potential source of danger outdoors, which justifies the need for an immediately accessible emergency shower in the immediate vicinity. In your risk assessment, also check whether injured persons could flee outside in a panic situation. If necessary, it is then advisable to also provide additional emergency showers in the outdoor area.
Frost-proof / heated safety showers for outdoor use
When installing emergency showers outdoors, it is crucial that they are frost-proof to prevent the water in the pipe from freezing and to ensure that the emergency shower is ready for use at all times, even at low outside temperatures. Our emergency showers, specially designed for outdoor use, offer frost protection even at extreme outdoor temperatures of down to -35 °C with an integrated trace heating system. Our thermal emergency shower is also supplied with tempered water (20°C) using the thermostat-controlled mixing valve.
GFTS emergency tank shower for locations without a water connection
Particularly outdoors, it is likely that there is no water connection available at the desired location for the emergency shower. With a tank emergency shower, however, the installation options are virtually unlimited. Our GFTS tank emergency shower in frost-proof design is suitable for both outdoor and indoor installation and is independent of the water supply. Thermostat-controlled immersion heaters ensure an appropriate water temperature and prevent both hypothermia (undercooling) of the person seeking help, and freezing of the tank emergency shower. The water in the tank is preserved for up to six months by adding a water preservative.
Special case: Installation of emergency showers in hazardous areas
Explosion-proof emergency showers
Emergency showers that are installed in hazardous areas must be specially designed for this purpose and fulfil the applicable standards in accordance with the ATEX directive. Our range includes standard models and configurable emergency showers for installation in hazardous areas.
Special case: Mobile provision of emergency showers
Mobile tank emergency shower
Mobile tank emergency showers offer the great advantage that they can be moved to a different location within the company, providing a versatile solution in different working environments. As no installation or connection to external water sources is required, they are immediately ready for temporary use.
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The specialist information on this page has been compiled carefully and to the best of our knowledge and belief. Nevertheless, DENIOS Ltd cannot assume any warranty or liability of any kind, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, for the topicality, completeness and correctness either towards the reader or towards third parties. The use of the information and content for your own or third party purposes is therefore at your own risk. In any case, please observe the locally and currently applicable legislation.
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