Written by Testing an industrial safety shower is essential to ensure it is functioning correctly in case of an emergency and to flush the lines. Regular maintenance also helps you health and safety regulatory compliance.
Here’s how you can test your site’s safety showers and the frequency required for this testing regime:
Visual Inspection of a Safety Shower:
- Check for any visible damage, corrosion or blockages in the shower head, pipes and nozzles.
- Check the safety shower has suitable signage and is in a well lit area, free from obstructions so that it easy to locate in an emergency.
Water Flow Test:
- Turn on the shower to check the water flow. The water flow from the shower head should be 76lpm.
- The water spray pattern should be in accordance with ANSI Z358.1 standards and BS EN5154 specifications.
- Ensure that the water temperature is tepid (a temperature between 60°F (15°C) and 100°F (37.8°C) is ideal). If the water is too hot it could lead to further injury when used.
Activation and Operation:
- Ensure the shower activates easily when activated by either hand or foot operation.
- The flow should start within 1-3 seconds upon the shower being activated.
- An emergency shower should provide continuous, un-interrupted water flow for at least 15 minutes.
- Any visual, audible or other alarms that are fitted to the safety shower should activate within 1-3 seconds of the unit being operated.
Drainage:
- Make sure the water drains properly into a suitable drainage system, without pooling around the base of the shower.
Industrial Safety Shower Maintenance:
- Each unit on your site should be tested weekly.
- Regularly cleaning and sterilising of the showerhead and nozzles should be carried out every 3-6 months.
- The unit should be serviced by a safety shower engineer every 6 months to ensure unit is meeting the latest health & safety requirements and to ensure longevity of the unit.
After testing, document the results and address any issues immediately to maintain H&S regulations.
If you have any questions about how to test any of our showers or eye wash units on your site, we would be happy to help. Please drop us a line or call us and we can then advise you on any problems you may have.