Portable shower

INKS stiU, in its brochure about laboratories teaching chemistry (reference ED 1506) advises The installation of eye washing devices in every laboratory is also recommended. Specific products designed for first aid treatment of ocular or other chemical bums can complete the display and improve the efficacy of washing with water, which must immediately follow. Such products can be delivered by autonomous portable showers and should only be used under the agreement of the medical service and should be renewed regularly. ... 

The normal method of decontamination is the rinse-wipe-rinse method (Box 2.9). When the need for decontamination exceeds the capacity for this, mass decontamination techniques can be used. These include spray from a fire hose, portable showers and purpose-built mobile units. Occasionally, fixed facilities away from the immediate incident... 

M17 Lightweight Decontamination System (LDS) The M17 is a portable pump and water-heating unit for producing hot water and steam. The system incorporates a 1,580-gallon collapsible water tank, two wand assemblies, connecting hoses, and a shower rail. It is issued to Army battalion-size units and to chemical decontamination companies and battalions. 

White noise—Make your own white noise with fans, vacuum cleaners, portable vacuums, electric toothbrushes, bathroom fans, electric razors, or, to save electricity, recordings of them. Fish tanks that bubble, loud clocks, and metronomes have also worked. Tape-record the sound of a shower or water running from a faucet. The repetitive monotony of these noises mimics the sounds of the womb and can soothe a baby for whom a silent room might feel unnaturally quiet. 

Instruct everyone in the lab on the proper use of the safety shower and eyewash fountain (see Corrosive materials above). Most portable eyewash devices cannot maintain the required flow for 15 minutes. A permanent eyewash fountain is preferred. 

It should not be necessary to point out that safety showers should not be located near any source of electricity with which the flowing water from the shower could come into contact, but numerous instances have been observed where this has occurred. Usually it has been due to the laboratory workers themselves moving portable equipment too near the shower, but occasionally one is found improperly installed by maintenance persormel or because of changes made by renovation crews. 

Socket outlets must not be installed and no provision is made for connection of portable appliances unless the socket outlet can be fixed 3 metres horizontally beyond the zone 1 boimdary within the bath or shower room (lEE Regulation 701.512.4). 

Check water delivery Ask your employer how much water your eye wash stations deliver. Eye washes should supply 0.4 gallons per minute of water for at least 15 minutes. Safety showers should supply 20 gallons per minute for at least 15 minutes. Note Many portable eye wash stations have a capacity of 5 to 10 gallons for a maximum usefulness of 5 minutes. Squeeze bottles and other plastic containers have even lower water capacities. These eye washes are meant to be supplementary to eye wash stations or showers that provide 15 minutes of flushing. 

Emergency Eye Wash Fountains. Eyewash fountains send two streams of water upward directly into each eye as someone bends over the fountain. An emergency shower cannot flush the eyes as well because the flow is downward. There are both fixed and portable eyewash fountains. Fixed units have unlimited water supplies. Portable ones deliver a required flow rate of 1.5 1/min for 15 min. The fixture has room for holding both eyelids open to the streams of water. The control valve does not require a hand to hold it open. 

Whether Portable, Mobile, or Fixed FSI offers an emergency shower and/or eyewash system to meet your needs. 

Whether portable, mobile or fixed, FSI offers an emergency shower system to meet your needs. The DAT series of portable decon showers is amongst the world s largest offering, ranging from 1-10 person mass casualty 5 line shower systems. The FSI Safety Tank Shower family is ANSI compliant, and of one-piece, fully integrated stainless steel construction complete with overhead wateif tank and immersion heater - available in four sizes. FSI North America ,... 

While OSHA does not address this issue, ANSI Z358.1 -2009 says that eyewashes (and showers) must provide a minimum 15 minute irrigation period. For this reason, the standard states that portable eyewash stations (e.g., bottles, canisters) do not meet the criteria of plumbed or self-contained eyewash equipment and therefore, can be used to support plumbed and self-contained equipment but cannot replace them. In other words, portable units can be used until an employee can reach a plumbed or self-contained unit for effective flushing in the immediate work area. 

EYEWASH SHOWER STATIONS Where an employee s eyes or body may be exposed to corrosive materials or chemicals, the employer must provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body. OSHA does not approve any product, including eyewash stations, but letters of interpretation reference ANSI standard Z358.1, which states the rate of flow at 0.4gpm and the duration of flow to be 15 minutes for portable stations. Portable bottles of eyewash may only be used in the quick treatment of less serious eye and skin irritations. 

Some caution must be used when locating these shower stations. Obviously, it would not be wise to install a deluge shower next to an electrical power panel. Another point to keep in mind is that portable electrical equipment should not be moved near safety showers. 

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