Quality is our watchword

Quality is essential, particularly in the manufacture of safety products. Safety showers and eye wash equipment must be reliable, robust, and work first time, every time, to protect lives.

Hughes’ rigorous approach to delivering high-quality products is evident throughout our manufacturing processes. We are audited to ISO standards, namely 45001:2018, 14001:2015 and 9001:2015. Producers of sustainable, high-quality components are in evidence throughout our entire supply chain.

Nozzle

The Hughes nozzle is unique and the result of meticulous research and development.

Extensive investigation was carried out to gain a clear understanding of how nozzles and roses perform and deliver water. International standards on safety shower spray patterns were assessed to ensure that our nozzle would meet recommendations for full decontamination, for example:

• ANSI Z358.1-2014 requires a 20” spray pattern at 60” from the standing surface. Emergency shower heads must have a flow rate of 20 US Gallons (60 liters) per minute.

Using this information, the nozzle was designed using the latest Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) software to maximise its performance and effectiveness. This design passed extensive testing and the currently features:

• Internal baffle plate to spin and mix the water providing an even spray pattern distribution
• Baffle plate creates back pressure and restricts flow at increasing pressures to ensure its non-injurious
• Higher velocity spray to maximise wash off time with minimal water volume
• A hole in the centre controls the velocity and flow of water through the nozzle, resulting in an ANSI compliant spray pattern
• Funnelled outlet mixes the water and removes any cavitation

Materials of construction

Only the highest quality materials are used in the manufacture of our products. This ensures that our showers are reliable, perform to or above expectations and stand the test of time.

Galvanized mild steel

Galvanizing is a process where a protective zinc coating is applied to steel piping. This offers two methods of corrosion reduction:

1. It coats the surface like paint, and under most circumstances forms a very adherent oxide layer.
2. It provides a sacrificial anode (zinc) to receive corrosion rather than the steel corroding.

Galvanizing is ideal for safety showers as it can easily withstand repeated and rapid changes between being wet and dry. Due to its unique metallurgical bond, the galvanized coating is also incredibly tough. Galvanized steel is also immune to UV rays, so it won’t degrade in direct sunlight.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a low carbon steel which contains chromium at 10% or more by weight. It is the addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique corrosion resisting properties.

Galvanized steel and stainless steel share the same rigidity, strength, flammability, and UV resistance, yet stainless steel has even higher corrosion resistant capabilities.

Powder coated galvanized steel

With all the great properties of galvanized steel, the added powder coating provides an additional protective barrier that helps prevent corrosion. Powder coating is also chip resistant and better for the environment than liquid paint.

It is also easy to clean, ideal for a laboratory setting.

GRP

Our tank showers and many of their optional fittings are manufactured using glass reinforced plastic (GRP).

GRP is an extremely versatile material and has a lot of great features:

• Low maintenance
• Slip resistant
• Non-corrosive
• Weather-proof
• Lightweight
• Non-conductive

Valves

The stainless steel and brass ball valves used in most of our products are designed to comply with ANSI Z358.1-2014. The valve features a bore in the ball to prevent the build-up of biofilm by allowing trapped water to be flushed away. The lever design offers integrated pick-up points for proximity/limit switch activation.

We also have several more specialized valves:

• Pressure reducing valve - designed to regulate water supply pressure. Higher upstream pressure is reduced to give a lower constant downstream pressure, regardless of the varying force. Pressurisation damage is avoided, and water consumption is reduced.
• Thermostatic mixing valve – for accurate control and maintenance of the water temperature of safety showers and eye wash equipment. The thermostatic mixing valve delivers a steady temperature despite varying pressure conditions.
• Scald and freeze protection valves – these valves have gone through rigorous temperature and pressure testing to ensure reliable performance. The paraffin actuators are also the fastest reacting for temperature, delivering a swift response.

Protecting the safety of employees at risk of exposure to hazardous materials in the workplace is our first and greatest responsibility. Ensuring the quality of this life-saving equipment is a core part of that obligation. Our dedication to excellence means that when you purchase from Hughes you have the peace of mind that the product is 100% fit for purpose, safety compliant and long lasting.

For more information about our products or advice on the most suitable solution for your application, contact us today.