The eyewash is an emergency spraying and eyewashing device for on-site emergency treatment of hazardous chemical splash injuries. Out of consideration for the safety of employees and the greatest reduction in corporate losses, many chemical companies are currently equipped with different types of eye washers and shower rooms and other labor protection equipment. But many people have a common question, that is, what is the best water temperature for the eyewash?
1. Standard
There are currently three standards that are widely accepted by the public for the regulation of the temperature of the outlet water of the eyewash.
The American standard ANSIZ358.1-2014 stipulates that the outlet water temperature of eyewash and shower should be "warm", and further stipulates that it should be between 60-100 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6-37.8°C), China GB∕T38144.2 -The 2019 user guide and European standard EN15154-1:2006 also have the same water temperature requirements.According to these standards, the temperature of the outlet water of the eyewash and shower equipment should be lukewarm, and the human body feels comfortable. But this is only a relatively safe range, and companies cannot use this as an excuse to think that fixing the water temperature close to the human body is the optimal temperature.Because studies have confirmed that temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) may accelerate the chemical reaction between water and chemicals, further aggravating eye and skin damage.We should also refer to the medical opinion of clinical first aid for chemical burns,immediately use the large amount of room temperature water available on the spot for a long period of time to buy time for the next medical treatment. In this case, there is no requirement for water temperature.Although temperatures below 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) can immediately slow down the chemical reaction, long-term exposure to cold liquids may affect the body temperature required by the human body, affect the user's standing, and cause greater injury. As the lower limit of warm water, 15°C is suitable without causing the user's body temperature to drop.
2..Water source
Generally, eyewash manufacturers will determine the water source used as pipeline water.The water source of the pipeline water is generally groundwater and surface water, which is transported to the pipeline through centralized water treatment facilities. The temperature of the water is within the range of normal temperature water [59-77°F (15-25°C)]. The temperature of the water is directly related to the temperature of the environment. In spring, summer and autumn, the temperature of the pipeline water is ≥68°F (20°C); in winter, it is ≥59°F (15°C). Some countries such as Russia and Northern Europe In some countries with colder temperatures, it can be as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10°C) or even lower.Due to the low outdoor temperature, heat preservation and antifreeze treatment should be performed on the exposed water pipelines, such as installing thermal insulation cotton, electric heating cables, and steam heating.But under normal circumstances, the temperature range of room temperature water meets the requirements of the temperature range of the outlet water of the eyewash.
3.User comfort
In order to prevent users from feeling cold and affect their standing and movements, some users purchase electric heating eyewash equipment from the perspective of user comfort. This is actually unscientific and impractical.In a cold outdoor environment, even if the temperature of the water from the eyewash reaches 37.8℃, it is not enough to make the user feel "warm". The reason for the user's coldness and even affects standing and movement is the low outdoor temperature, not the eyewash water source temperature.Companies can consider setting up a shower room, turning the outdoor eyewash into indoor use, and consider setting up heating facilities when the outdoor temperature is low to increase the indoor temperature, so as to fundamentally improve the comfort of the eyewash. The rigid requirement for the outlet water temperature to reach 36-38°C is obviously a misunderstanding of the outlet temperature range of the eyewash.
In summary, the outlet water temperature in the eyewash standard is 60-100 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6-37.8°C), the lower limit is based on the lower limit of the temperature range of room temperature water, and the upper limit 37.8°C (38°C) is based on the the lower limit of the reaction temperature, chemistry of water and harmful substances. We cannot regard the rigidity of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8°C) in the standard as a rigid requirement for the water outlet temperature, let alone require the water outlet temperature of the eyewash to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8°C). This completely misunderstood the meaning of the eyewash water requirement. It should not be confused with the requirements for the body temperature of the warm water in the bath and the body feeling when the eyewash is showered.
Today’s eyewash knowledge sharing is here. If you have any questions about eyewashes, please visit www.chinawelken.com, we will provide you with professional guidance and solutions. Thanks for your reading !
Post time: Jul-17-2020
