lize an O-ring that is pushed into position and forces the flow based on the pressure supplied to the fixture, allowing for minimal variance across a wide range of pressures. Due to advances in fluid dynamics technology, one of
the newest eye/facewashes available covers 85 percent of the user’s face, which is more than 20 percent better than other designs. • Improved cleanliness. It can be extremely challeng-
ing to keep older eye/facewash systems clean and free of bacteria. Because these units are sitting out in the open and are not covered, they are prone to dust, dirt and bacteria. Stagnant water left in the bowl from false activations, misuse and tampering by workers can also lead to contamination of the unit. This is problematic, since the point of having an eye/facewash in the first place is to be ready with a clean and safe device for quick emergency activation. While these issues can be avoided by installing an
eyewash alarm system, newer eyewash designs come equipped with either plastic or stainless steel dust cov- ers that shield the entire bowl. Better yet, a new eye/facewash model incorporates a plastic see-through dustcover attached by a hinge. The clear plastic pro- motes a quick and simple visual inspection, while the hinge provides a sturdy hold of the cover. When the
cover is opened, using a hand-activation paddle that is in close reach, the water flow starts instantly, giving the user immediate relief. One of the newer eye/facewashes comes equipped
with a self-draining design that eliminates any settled water in the system. This model also incorporates sepa- rate supply and waste pipes to prevent cross-contamina- tion from the clean inlet and wastewater. Finally, today’s new eye/facewash models employ
anti-microbial protection, guarding sprayheads from germs and bacteria. The new generation of eye/facewash equipment has
set a new standard for the product category. While the basic requirements haven’t changed, the product choic- es have, allowing organizations to protect their workers to a much greater degree. Whether management choos- es to maintain or upgrade their existing equipment or invest in new products, it’s always best to work with a knowledgeable manufacturer who can offer expertise, and customer. n
Heather Koehn is the associate product manager,
Emergency Fixtures, for Bradley Corporation of Menomonee Falls, Wis., a USGBC member and manufac- turer of locker room products, plumbing fixtures, wash- room accessories, partitions and emergency fixtures.
Circle 33 on Reader Reply Form on page 65
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72