Written by The Importance of Tepid Water in Safety Showers
In workplace safety, especially in factories and labs, the water temperature in safety showers is often overlooked. This is a crucial detail. Using cold water in emergency situations can be especially harmful. It can cause thermal shock or close the skin’s pores, effectively trapping dangerous substances.
This underscores the importance of controlling water temperature to reduce these risks. A common industry error is to think that trace heated showers adequately provide tepid water. In fact, this isn’t the case. Trace heating prevents the shower from freezing, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the water stays at a safe temperature.
The ANSI Z358.1-2014 safety standard mandates that safety equipment deliver ‘tepid’ water. This is defined as any temperature between 16°C – 38°C (60°F – 100°F). This standard aligns with many COSHH requirements, highlighting the need for a minimum of 15 minutes under tepid water to effectively remove contaminants.
Janet Waine, Managing Director of Aqua Safety Showers International, emphasises, “The debate about installing heated water safety showers is over. Cold water showers from mains can worsen injuries, causing unnecessary harm. Tepid water is crucial, and non-compliant safety showers pose a risk to workers and financial liabilities for businesses.”
The Solution: Tank Showers for Guaranteed Tepid Water
Aqua’s 1500L tank-fed safety shower offers a complete solution for workplace safety needs. The header tank holds 1500 litres of water, heated to an optimal temperature, ensuring over 15 minutes of consistent tepid water drench time. This feature is crucial in meeting the ANSI Z358.1-2014 standard for emergency safety showers, providing tepid water irrespective of external temperature conditions.
Additionally, the self-contained nature of these showers makes them suitable for indoor, outdoor, and even remote locations. To enhance functionality and user safety, these showers can be equipped with foot platform activation, alarms, sirens, lights, and a range of other customisable options. This adaptability and compliance with safety standards make them an essential component in any workplace that prioritises health and safety.
Comprehensive Guidance for Compliance and Safety
At Aqua Safety Showers International, we are committed to guiding companies through the complexities of maintaining ANSI-compliant safety showers. For detailed instructions on using and maintaining these safety systems, visit our step-by-step guide.
For further insights into the ANSI Z358.1 standard and its impact on emergency showers, explore this informative blog post by ANSI.
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