30 minute drenching

Showers & Eyebaths Services
has designed an emergency
shower capable of providing
up to 30 minutes of tepid
water drenching time in order
to handle the complexities of
chemical spill contamination
of an operative’s clothing.

In 2009 the ANSI standard
was revised and stated that
delivered flushing water
should provide 15 minutes of
tepid water. Tepid water not
only reduces the growth of
harmful bacteria in the water
tank but importantly the use
of cold water, rather than
that which is tepid, has the
effect of closing the pores,
which can trap any
contaminant so hampering
attempts to wash it off.

However, in situations
where the contaminant is a
burn-inducing chemical,
there is an argument to say
that drenching time should
be extended to a minimum
of 20 minutes and even 30
minutes of tepid water.

Janet Dickinson,
operations manager at
Showers & Eyebaths Services
said: “Unfortunately
chemicals can react when
they come into contact with
water, such as caustic soda
which turns to a slimy
consistency, and can be
difficult to wash off. This can
result in contaminants
remaining on clothing even
after a 15 minute dowse.”