Manufacturer Spotlight:
Eye/Face Wash and Shower Trends
by Nate Kogler, Division Product Manager, Bradley Corporation
New trends and technologies
Recently, in the realm of eye/face washes and emergency fixtures, significant improvements have been made affecting these fixtures’ flow control, coverage and efficacy. In fact, the latest advancements have caused a paradigm shift in the industrial safety industry since the bar for performance has been raised higher than ever before.
The product category remained static for many years, prompting a group of manufacturers to begin to research new and innovative technologies for plumbed emergency fixtures that could deliver better safety solutions. These new technologies are described below, along with considerations on key deliverables for today’s emergency eye/face washes and showers:
Enhanced washdown coverage—The newest generation of emergency fixtures is designed to deliver a more uniform and complete spray pattern distribution to reach the entire face and/or body. Older shower designs push the flow of water to the outer rim of the showerhead, creating a hollow space in the center of the pattern that can miss affected areas.
Using the latest technology in fluid dynamics, the new shower designs work in tandem with a pressure-regulated flow control and the spinning motion of water, which creates an optimal spray pattern to rinse off the injured as quickly and thoroughly as possible. The contoured shape, combined with the spinning water, funnels water into a concentrated, yet gentle, deluge to ensure the most effective flush available. Some newer showerheads are also more compact to reduce their surface area – and likelihood of impact – in busy and cloistered industrial environments.
Fixtures that flush the eye and face have gone through a similar transformation. The flow that passes through eye and eye/face washes was once controlled by flow controls that expand and contract with the ebb and flow of the water pressure. Modern eye and eye/face washes utilize a much more accurate method to maintain the flow of water over varied pressures. These flow controls utilize an O-ring that is pushed into position and squeezes off the flow based on the pressure supplied to the fixture. This allows for minimal variance across a wide range of pressure.
Due to advances in design, one of the newest eye/face washes available covers 85 percent of the user’s face, which is more than 20 percent better than other designs. This improvement in coverage results in water being distributed to the entire face at one time, rather than simply concentrating in the eye area.
Improved cleanliness—It can be extremely challenging to keep older eye/face wash systems clean and free of bacteria. Because these units are sitting out in the open and are not covered, they are prone to dust, dirt, and bacteria. Also, stagnant water left in the bowl from false activations, misuse, and tampering by workers can also lead to contamination of the unit. This is problematic since the point of having an eye/face wash is to be ready with a clean and safe device for quick emergency activation.
While these issues can be avoided by installing an eyewash alarm system, newer eyewash designs come equipped with either plastic or stainless steel dust covers that shield the entire bowl. Better yet, a new eye/face wash model incorporates a plastic see-through dustcover attached by a hinge. The clear plastic allows for a quick and simple visual inspection, while the hinge provides a sturdy hold of the cover. When the cover is opened using a hand-activation paddle within reach, the water flow starts instantly, for immediate relief.
To ensure clean and safe water, one of the newer eye/face washes comes equipped with a self-draining design that eliminates any settled water in the system. This model also incorporates separate supply and waste pipes to prevent cross-contamination from the clean inlet and waste water.
Further, today’s new eye/face wash models employ anti-microbial protection, protecting sprayheads from germs and bacteria.
The newest generation of eye/face wash equipment has reset the industry norm. While ANSI requirements haven’t changed, product choices have, allowing organizations to enhance worker protection. Whether maintaining or upgrading existing equipment, or purchasing new products, it’s best to work with a knowledgeable manufacturer who can offer expertise, along with customer and technical service.
