Can your emergency safety showers survive the cold?

With winter quickly approaching, ensuring that your emergency safety equipment can withstand the steep drop in temperature is a must. The USA’s winter temperatures can reach temperatures of -19.5C in Midwestern states, such as North Dakota, with areas of Canada reaching average lows of -35.3C. In these conditions, water can freeze in the standpipe, rendering the unit inoperable. If your safety showers and eye baths are not functional in the event of an emergency, this poses further danger to the casualty and significant fines and/or imprisonment can be imposed.

With this in mind, we have compiled several considerations for your site during the colder seasons.

Do you have the correct safety equipment for your site?

Are your units frost-protected? If the feed pipes are exposed to cold ambient temperatures with no protection water could freeze before it reaches the shower. Not only can this cause damage to the shower but will also render it unusable in the event of an emergency.

Trace tape heated products protect the pipework from frost in temperatures down to -25C. For extreme freezing temperatures, immersion heated models ensure water within the pipework is protected in ambient conditions down to -35C.

The TC100KS45G has a 300-litre tank and 3kW heater with a thermostatically controlled mixing valve to ensure the delivery of tepid water. Designed to remain on standby to deliver warm water for over 15 minutes, conforming to European and ANSI standards, the temperature-controlled model is intended for use in low ambient temperatures. This unit can also be used to feed heated water to other showers in the vicinity.

Sites without a constant or reliable water supply can benefit from Hughes’ heated tank showers for cold climates. For extreme conditions, the polar tank shower also features folding doors with a double-skinned fibreglass insulated cubicle to protect the user from the external elements while the shower is in use, providing protection in ambient temperatures as low as -22F (-30C) with internal heaters.

Are you regularly activating your safety showers and eye washes?

Weekly activations are recommended by both European and International standards to ensure that your units are in working condition. Regular activation and visual inspection of your showers and eye washes prevents sediment build up and allows for peace of mind that the equipment is in working order.

For advice on how to carry out weekly activations watch our video guide.

Are your showers regularly serviced?

Regular servicing can identify any problems with your safety equipment and resolve ongoing maintenance problems to ensure that your showers and eye baths are not just operational but also comply to international standards. Hughes recommend servicing at least once per year to maintain this essential equipment and ensure it is functional in an emergency.

Hughes provide self-contained mobile safety showers for short or long-term hire if your permanent models are out of action due to damage or maintenance. For compliance with international and EU standards, our 528 US gallon immersion heated model is capable of providing a flow of tepid water for over 15 minutes at a rate of 76 litres per minute. The H40K45G is available with an immersion heated jacket to ensure protection against the elements.

Hughes strive to provide the correct safety solutions for your site, regardless of the challenges. If you have an enquiry or wish to discuss your requirements with our experts, contact us using our online form today.