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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Shower/Eyewash Station Audible and Visible Alarms
Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 1:09:37 PM
Author: Ken Smith <ken.smith**At_Symbol_Here**UCOP.EDU> 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Shower/Eyewash Station Audible and Visible Alarms
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2016 21:29:37 -0400
Author: ILPI Support

From: "Chance, Brandon" <bchance**At_Symbol_Here**MAIL.SMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Shower/Eyewash Station Audible and Visible Alarms
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2016 21:20:07 +0000
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 45E5BF97-BB1A-4576-A62D-35B72E502880**At_Symbol_Here**smu.edu
In-Reply-To


Vivian,

We do not currently have any that are alarmed and I plan to go with the basic model moving forward instead of the alarmed model.  So I can not answer for the override question.  Because we use an outsourced facilities department, their contract exempts them from testing or repairing life safety devices, including showers, eyewashes and hoods- leaving everything to EHS and Fire Safety.  We are currently in the process of testing all of our eyewashes and showers on campus for flow rate and temperature in addition to flushing them.  As we train student workers, we are using them to perform all of the annual and semi-annual testing.  We have asked the labs to flush their eyewashes and drench hoses weekly as they are washing glassware -  with mixed results. 


Regards,

Brandon S. Chance, M.S., CCHO
Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety
Office of Risk Management
Southern Methodist University 
PO Box 750231 | Dallas, TX  75275-0231
T) 214.768.2430 | M) 469-978-8664

"É our job in safety is to make the task happen, SAFELY; not to interfere with the workÉÓ Neal Langerman



From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety on behalf of "Vivian L. Longacre"
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 10:45 AM
To: "DCHAS-L@PRINCETON.EDU"
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Shower/Eyewash Station Audible and Visible Alarms

I wasn't asking how you actually do the flushes when I sent my reply to Brandon, but wanted to see if there was an override for the alarm for when you do.  We do all the eyewashes in our chemistry labs weekly and the showers are tested 2 x a year for the 30 gallons per minute flow and flush.  We have the technical staff do all the eyewashes, so doing them at 9 pm would not be an option.


My $0.02:

I can see more problems with a complicated system such as what he describes than it being worthwhile.   When I was in chemistry as a technician, I liked keeping things simple in case I wound up being the person having to do the upkeep and maintenance, as we don't always get Facilities staffing to take care of these things. Those institutions with larger staffing and support from your Facilities may have better luck.  When we built our new science center, I fought hard against some complicated systems the architects and lab designers wanted to put in as I knew we could not dedicate extra staffing.  


Good luck,


Vivian


Vivian Longacre 
Safety Training Specialist
Environmental Health & Safety
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA

Direct 805.756.6628
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L@PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of Debbie M. Decker <dmdecker@UCDAVIS.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 8:15:00 AM
To: DCHAS-L@PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Shower/Eyewash Station Audible and Visible Alarms
 

My facility manager created a very nice shower test rig here:  http://chemistry.ucdavis.edu/safety/files/chemistry-safety-vol2-issue1.pdf

chemistry.ucdavis.edu
Chemistry Safety Notes Volume 2, Issue 1 Jan/Feb 2014 ÒChemistry Safety NotesÓ is published by the Chemistry Dept. Safety Committee, written & edited by Debbie ...

 

The shower curtain-like set-up on a pole was purchased commercially Ð the bottom is weighted to keep it inside the bucket.

 

We don't test to Ò30 gallons/minuteÓ Ð that's the plumbing shop's responsibility in their annual inspection.

 

FWIW,

Debbie

 

Debbie M. Decker, CCHO, ACS Fellow

Immediate Past Chair, Division of Chemical Health and Safety

University of California, Davis

(530)754-7964

(530)304-6728

dmdecker@ucdavis.edu

 

Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction

that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,

can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."

 

-------------

They do make safety shower testing kits, on wheels even.  See http://www.enconsafety.com/en/parts-and-accessories/testing-equipment/mobile-shower-test-assembly/stu1,%20stu2/, though I prefer that the chute have a rod on it because I am short.

 

 

Monique Wilhelm

Laboratory Manager

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

University of Michigan Ð Flint

 

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