How to Specify Emergency Safety Showers for Industrial Projects

Emergency safety showers are specified for industrial environments where workers could be exposed to hazardous substances during operations, maintenance, chemical transfer, cleaning or handling activities. In these settings, decontamination showers and emergency eyewash stations form an important part of the emergency response plan, helping workers quickly wash harmful substances from the skin or eyes.

Correct specification means looking beyond the product itself. Project teams need to consider the exposure risk, site conditions, water supply, installation location and applicable standards before selecting the most suitable equipment.

The speed of response is also critical. The quicker a hazardous substance is washed from the skin or eyes in an emergency, the less severe the resulting injury is likely to be. Getting the specification right at the design stage helps ensure emergency equipment is correctly located, suitable for the risk and ready to perform when needed.

1. Start with the Project Risk Assessment

The specification process should begin with a clear understanding of the site, the substances being used and the tasks taking place. Before selecting an emergency drench shower or eyewash station, project teams need to identify where exposure could occur and what type of emergency response would be required.

Key questions include:

• Which hazardous substances are being used, stored, transferred or handled?
• Could these substances come into contact with the skin, eyes or face?
• Where on site could exposure occur?
• Who could be affected, including operators, maintenance teams, contractors or delivery personnel?
• Is the risk permanent, temporary or linked to a specific project phase?
• Would the exposure require a full-body emergency safety shower, eyewash station or a combined shower and eye/face wash unit?

HSE COSHH guidance highlights skin and eye contact as routes of harm that need to be controlled where relevant substances are present. For emergency shower specification, this means looking beyond the general process area and considering specific tasks such as chemical transfer, dosing, cleaning, maintenance, sampling, loading and unloading.

The outcome of this assessment should guide the type of equipment, location and level of emergency response required.

2. Understand the Relevant Emergency Shower Standards

Emergency safety shower specification should be guided by the relevant safety standards from the outset. For industrial projects, two of the most referenced standards are EN 15154 and ANSI Z358.1. Hughes references both in relation to the performance requirements for industrial eyewash units and emergency safety showers.

Standards should not be treated as a final compliance check after a product has already been selected. They should help shape the specification brief, influencing the type of shower required, where it is installed, how it performs and how it will be maintained.

EN 15154

EN 15154 is the key European standard series for emergency safety showers and eyewash units. For UK-focused projects, this is often referred to as BS EN 15154, reflecting the British adoption of the European standard.

The EN 15154 series covers different types of emergency equipment, including plumbed and non-plumbed showers and eyewash units. The relevant part of the standard will depend on the application. For example, a fixed plumbed-in emergency eyewash station won’t be specified in the same way as a non-plumbed body shower or an overhead emergency safety shower for an industrial processing area.

ANSI Z358.1

ANSI Z358.1 is widely recognised and often referenced on international projects, particularly where multinational operators, EPCs, global engineering teams or overseas project sites are involved.

This is why it is important to confirm which standard (or combination of standards) applies at the start of the project. A UK-based facility may prioritise BS EN 15154, while a global EPC specification may also reference ANSI Z358.1 as part of a broader company standard.

Why Standards Should Be Considered Early in Specification

The applicable standard can influence key specification points, including:

• Flow performance
• Activation method
• Spray pattern
• Water temperature considerations
• Installation guidance
• Signage and visibility
• Maintenance and testing requirements
• Compatibility with site conditions

Using the applicable standard to guide the specification from the beginning helps project teams make informed decisions and match emergency equipment to the risk, location and working environment.

3. Consider the Working Environment Before Selecting a Safety Shower

Before choosing a specific emergency safety shower, project teams need to understand the environment it will operate in and whether the available water supply can support the required emergency response. The same exposure risk may require a different solution depending on whether the equipment is indoors, outdoors, exposed, temperature-controlled or located in a remote part of the site.

Indoor installations may have easier access to mains water, drainage and routine maintenance. Outdoor installations can be more complex, particularly where the shower is exposed to changing weather conditions, freezing temperatures, direct sunlight, dust, dirt or corrosive atmospheres.

Water delivery should also be considered at this stage. It shouldn’t be treated as an installation detail to resolve after the product has been selected. The shower must be able to deliver the required flow, volume and water conditions for the emergency response needed on site.

Water pressure and flow performance should be checked against the applicable standard and project requirements. The specification should confirm whether the equipment needs to support a full body drench, an emergency eyewash station or a combination of these. Each type of equipment has different performance requirements, so the water supply needs to be suitable for the intended emergency use.

Water volume is important for tank-fed or mobile safety showers. Project teams need to confirm that the unit can provide enough water for emergency decontamination and that the stored supply can be inspected, maintained and replenished as required. Where a combined shower and eye/face wash unit is specified, the water supply should be assessed for simultaneous or combined use where required by the specification.

Temperature should be considered alongside pressure, flow and volume. In cold climates or unheated areas, the specification may need to account for freezing conditions that could affect pipework, valves, tanks or shower operation. In hot climates or exposed locations, standing water may become too warm, particularly where pipework or tank-fed units are exposed to direct sunlight.

Maintaining a suitable water temperature is important because emergency showers need to be used immediately and for long enough to wash hazardous substances from the skin or eyes. If the water is extremely cold, the affected person may struggle to remain under the shower. If the water is too warm, it may be uncomfortable or unsuitable for emergency use. This is why many specifications refer to the need for tepid water and why temperature control should be considered early for outdoor, exposed or extreme climate installations.

The working environment can also influence material selection. Industrial sites with corrosive atmospheres, chemical vapours, washdown activity, salt-laden air or heavy contamination may require more robust materials or additional protective features. Dusty or dirty environments may also require equipment that is easy to inspect, activate, clean and maintain.

4. Match the Safety Shower Type to the Site Conditions

Once the exposure risk, applicable standards, working environment and water requirements are understood, project teams can begin matching the safety shower type to the site conditions. The most suitable option will depend on where the equipment is being installed, whether the hazard is permanent or temporary, what water supply is available and whether temperature control is required.

Plumbed-in emergency safety showers

Plumbed-in emergency safety showers are commonly specified where the hazard location is permanent and a reliable mains water supply is available. They are often used in fixed industrial areas such as process areas, chemical stores, loading and unloading bays, manufacturing environments, washdown areas and chemical handling zones.

A plumbed-in emergency drench shower may be appropriate where the water supply can support the required performance and the shower location is unlikely to change. Depending on the exposure risk, the unit may also need an integrated emergency eyewash station or eye/face wash.

Tank-fed safety showers

Tank-fed safety showers are useful where a reliable mains water supply isn’t available, where water pressure is inconsistent or where the project requires a self-contained water supply.

They can be suitable for remote parts of industrial sites, outdoor or exposed locations, and project areas where mains-fed infrastructure is impractical. They may also be appropriate where the site needs greater control over water availability or water temperature.

Mobile safety showers

Mobile safety showers can support temporary or changing work areas where a fixed installation is not feasible. This can include shutdowns and turnarounds, temporary works, construction phases, remote maintenance tasks or project sites where permanent emergency equipment has not yet been installed.

When specifying mobile safety showers, project teams should still consider the type of exposure risk, the location of the work, the route to the equipment, water capacity, activation, visibility, testing and maintenance.

Emergency eyewash stations and combination units

An emergency eyewash station may be specified where there is a risk of hazardous substances coming into contact with the eyes or face. This may apply to localised tasks such as chemical dosing, sampling, testing, cleaning, decanting or battery charging.

Where there is a risk of exposure to both the body and the eyes or face, a combination shower and eye/face wash unit may be more appropriate. These units are often specified for chemical handling zones, process areas, laboratories, testing areas, battery charging locations and loading or unloading points.

The key point is to match the equipment to the route of exposure. If a worker could be exposed across the body and the eyes or face, a shower or eyewash alone may not provide the right level of emergency response.

Temperature-controlled safety showers

Temperature-controlled safety showers may be required where site conditions could cause water to become too cold or too warm for effective emergency use.

In cold climates, outdoor safety showers or units installed in unheated environments may need frost protection, trace heating, insulation or temperature control. In hot climates, project teams may need to consider shaded installation, insulated pipework, chilled water or temperature-controlled tank-fed units.

These considerations are particularly important for outdoor process areas, remote industrial sites, exposed loading bays, chemical storage areas and locations subject to seasonal temperature extremes.

5. Plan Access, Activation and Location Early

Emergency safety showers should be planned into the site layout as early as possible. Their location is critical because, in an emergency, workers need to reach and activate the equipment quickly. Leaving placement decisions until late in the project can lead to compromises around access, visibility, water supply, drainage or proximity to the actual hazard.

Where Should Emergency Safety Showers Be Located?

Emergency safety showers should be positioned close to areas where hazardous substance exposure could occur. Common locations include chemical transfer points, storage areas, dosing systems, process lines, loading bays, laboratories, battery charging areas and maintenance zones.

The location should allow rapid access in an emergency, with a clear and unobstructed route from the hazard to the shower. Where practical, the shower should be located on the same level as the risk area and shouldn’t require workers to pass through doors, climb stairs or move around stored materials, equipment or vehicles.

The route should also account for the reality of an emergency, where a worker may be wearing PPE, under stress or affected by eye or face exposure. Activation should be easy to reach and simple to use, with enough clear space around the unit for a person to enter, activate the shower and remain under the flow during emergency decontamination.

Visibility and signage are also important. Emergency safety showers and emergency eyewash stations should be easy to identify from the surrounding work area, with clear signage and lighting where required. In busy industrial environments, equipment can be visually lost among pipework, machinery, racking or temporary works, so visibility should be designed in rather than assumed.

Project teams should also consider how the location will work during normal site activity. Forklift routes, parked vehicles, temporary storage, maintenance work and future process changes can all affect access. A safety shower that is well positioned at installation can become difficult to reach if the surrounding area is not managed properly.

6. Factor in Installation, Testing and Maintenance

Emergency safety shower specification should look beyond the initial product selection. The equipment also needs to be installed correctly, commissioned before use, tested routinely and maintained throughout its working life.

Installation requirements will vary depending on the type of safety shower specified. A plumbed-in emergency safety shower may require connections to mains water, drainage and supporting infrastructure, while a tank-fed or mobile unit may require consideration of positioning, filling, water quality and access for inspection. Outdoor or temperature-controlled units may also need electrical connections, insulation, frost protection or other site-specific measures.

Commissioning should confirm that the shower has been installed in the correct location, activates as intended and delivers the required emergency response in line with the project specification. Signage, visibility and access routes should also be checked before the equipment is handed over for operational use.

Routine inspection and activation testing should be planned from the outset. Site teams should understand how often the equipment needs to be checked, what should be recorded and who is responsible for completing the checks. Testing arrangements should also account for drainage, water discharge, access and any disruption to nearby work areas.

Maintenance and servicing should also be factored into procurement. This includes access for engineers, replacement parts, cleaning, repairs and any specialist servicing requirements for heated, chilled, tank-fed or mobile units. Clear product information, commissioning records, inspection guidance and maintenance documentation can make it easier for site teams to manage the equipment after handover.

7. Build a Clear Specification Brief Before Procurement

Before procurement begins, project teams should bring the key specification details into a clear brief. This helps ensure that engineering, procurement, HSE and supplier teams are working from the same requirements, rather than making product decisions based on incomplete information.

The brief should capture the practical information needed to identify the right equipment. This may include:

• Site or application
• Hazard type
• Exposure route: body, eyes, face or combination
• Relevant standard(s), such as EN 15154 or ANSI Z358.1
• Indoor or outdoor installation
• Preferred unit type
• Water supply and pressure
• Water volume requirements
• Temperature requirements
• Materials and corrosion resistance
• Activation method
• Signage requirements
• Drainage considerations
• Testing and servicing access
• Documentation required
• Project location and environmental conditions

A clear brief gives suppliers the information they need to recommend equipment that is suitable for the hazard, the location, the applicable standard and the working environment. It can also help reduce the risk of delays, unsuitable product selection and late-stage redesign.

Working with a Specialist Supplier

Working with a specialist supplier can help project teams turn the risk assessment and site requirements into a practical specification. Hughes can advise on relevant standards, product selection and site conditions.

Support can also include documentation for project approval and guidance on servicing, spare parts and long-term maintenance.

Need help specifying emergency safety showers for an industrial project? Speak to Hughes for guidance on compliant emergency decontamination solutions for your site.