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Thousands of industrial workers work with or near chemicals and hazardous fluids every day. Even with the best safety practices in place, incidents involving chemical splashes and spills can still occur. The first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure to a hazardous substance are crucial. A delay in response is not an option and having the proper emergency equipment accessible is not only necessary but also the law.
Most of the Provincial Workers’ Compensation Boards and Workplace Safety Committees have adopted the American National Standards Institute’s, ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 – 2014 Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment as a guide. The standard is focused on the performance, use, installation, testing, maintenance, and training of this essential safety equipment. Read the summary here.
SPS West is the exclusive Western Canadian distributor for Hughes Safety emergency tank showers and ThermOmegaTech temperature control technology.
Here are six considerations when selecting a safety shower solution:
1.What is the ambient temperature range where the shower will be installed?
Hughes Safety manufactures a product range that suits different operating environments and climates.
Models J14KS1200 & J14KS2000 tank-fed safety showers are jacketed and insulated. They do not include immersion heaters. These units would be suitable to be installed in an indoor environment where the ambient temperature range always remains tepid between 15.6 – 37.8°C.
Models MH14KS1200 & MH14KS2000 tank-fed safety showers are immersion heated. These units are suitable to be installed in an indoor environment where the ambient temperature range fluctuates above or below 15.6 – 37.8°C.
For our severe cold climates, Polar Tank Showers like the MH14KS1200P and the MH14KS2000P incorporate a double-skinned fiberglass insulated cubicle to protect the user from the elements. They also include immersion heaters to keep the tank water tepid and cubicle space heaters to prevent hypothermia. These units have been installed all over Northern Canada for decades.
2. Will you fill your tank shower with a water truck, or will it be plumbed?
Hughes Safety offers an extensive range of plumbed-in, portable & self-contained eyewash and emergency showers suitable available for both indoor and outdoor use.
If you don’t have access to plumbed potable water and plan to fill the safety shower with a water truck, we recommend a 2000L self-contained tank shower.
If you have access to plumbed potable water but you have issues with getting adequate water flow, we recommend a TC100KS45G or a 1200L tank shower.
ThermOmegaTech’s Therm-O-Mix® tepid water delivery system provides an instantaneous and reliable source of tepid water for safety showers, facewash, and eyewash stations using existing plant steam and water. This station does not require any electric power, and it is suitable for explosion-proof environments and outdoor installations.
If you have access to hot and cold plumbed potable water with adequate flow we also have an extensive collection of thermostatic mixing valves for use with shower and eyewash stations.
The IC/FP cartridge freeze protection valve is designed to protect piping in processing plants, safety showers, or to be used as a backup protection on traced systems.
The IC/SP Scald Protection Valve is designed to protect operators by automatically draining excessively hot water from safety showers and face or eyewash water lines. This valve can help prevent hot water scalding and severe burns.
Tank showers with immersion heaters do not require scald protection valves as the immersion heater will turn off when it hits its maximum temperature setting and turn on again when required to keep the water tepid. Plumbed showers are often in need of scald and/or freeze protection valves to prevent safety hazards.
3.What is the electrical area classification where the shower will be installed?
Hughes Safety Showers with electrical components are CSA certified at the factory. Let us know what your requirements are so we can select the appropriate model for your environment.
4. Where will the used shower water drain?
There are at least 20 gallons of water per minute flowing from the showerhead on a typical ANSI Z358.1 (2014) safety shower. Do you have a floor drain nearby? If not, we suggest requesting a sump so the water can be diverted to a location where it can be disposed. If privacy and or water spray is a concern, be sure to request GRP cubicle siding and strip screen for your tank shower. Polar tank showers already come standard with doors.
5. Do you need a local audible/visual alarm (horn/strobe) or a remote alarm that feeds back to your control room?
Hughes Safety has a variety of alarm solutions to cover all the bases. Alarms are triggered by shower activation. Other alarms options like dual-temperature switches are available upon request.
6. How will you keep the tank water free from bacteria like legionella?
Hydroclenz provides constant protection against infestations of pathogenic bacteria in water tanks. It is chemical-free and environmentally friendly. Hydroclenz units are a cost-effective alternative to chemicals and UV treatments. The ionization of the noble metal is enhanced by the activity of the ceramic media and the combined effect is to act as a powerful disinfectant producing exceptional kill rates against pathogenic bacteria. The typical lifespan is three years.
About SPS West
SPS West specializes in solutions that protect people, process and the environment. They are the conduit between the world’s best manufacturers and Canada’s most brilliant engineers. They enjoy the diversity and novelty of solving complex problems. It is their honour to offer local engineering, design, and site services to advocate our specialty process piping, thermal, HSE, and measurement products to Western Canada’s Industrial sector.
For inquiries, email [email protected] or call 403-239-8570.
Visit SPS West to learn about our other products.
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