European Standard EN 15154 – Safety showers
The objective of the European Standard Project is to achieve a European (technical) standard to avoid potential conflicts amongst national standards.
The Standard for Plumbed-in body showers and eye wash units was achieved in 2006 (EN 15154-1 and EN 15154-2).
15154-3 and 15154-4 parts achieved in 2009 deal more specifically with non-plumed safety shower for the body (part 3) and the eye (part 4) giving devices such as Prevor’s showers and eyewash units the recognition of technical and technological standards.
Part 1 : Plumbed-in body showers for laboratories
Principle > either mechanically wash or sufficiently dilute the substances to render them harmless
Flow rate: in accordance with the national legislations
- If no legislation = 60 l/min. is suitable
- 15 minutes of performance
- 95% of flow rate in diameter of 40 cm in order to avoid all risks of flooding…
- Non dangerous flow rate for the user
Water quality
- Potable water or water with a similar quality
- No «contamination» due to the materials used in the construction of the system
Temperature
Hypothermia risk; minimum recommended water temperature of 15°C (in annex)
Information to be provided by the manufacturer
- Installation, operating and maintenance
- Method and frequency of routine testing
- Marking to identify the manufacturer (on the shower)
Part 2 : Plumbed-in eye wash units
Principle > either mechanically wash or sufficiently dilute the substances to render them harmless
Flow rate
- 6 l/min.
- 1000 mm (+/- 200) for installation
- 15 minutes of continuous performance
- Non dangerous flow rate for the user (jet height between 100 and 300mm)
- Valve operational in 1 s
Water quality
- Potable water or water with a similar quality
- No « contamination » due to the materials used in the construction of the system
Temperature
Hypothermia risk; recommended T° of 15°C (in annex)
Information to be provided by the manufacturer
- Installation, operating and maintenance
- Method and frequency of routine testing
- On the shower: marking to identify the manufacturer
Part 3 : Non-plumbed safety shower for the body
Principle > either mechanically wash or sufficiently dilute the substances to render them harmless
Flow rate
- Minimum capacity established to 10 l for the skin; any exemptions must be justified by effectiveness
- Non dangerous flow rate
Solution quality
- Innocuousness during the entire life time
- Water or solutions (if water, potable water quality or similar)
- Solutions – Have to be sterile
Packaging specifications
- Dependant on the type of packaging and the solution/weight and volume
- Operational within 5s
Standard compliance specification requirements
- Areas of effectiveness
- Contra-indications and limits of efficacy
- Protocol for claimed results
- Installation recommendations
Effectiveness must be significantly proved in comparison with the water and the different amounts of alternative solution and, as such, it is left up to the manufacturer to prove its effectiveness. (Refer to the list of tested products and used method)
Part 4 : Non-plumbed safety shower for the eye
Principle > Sufficient volume and protocol > for harmless decontamination agent (or temperature)
Flow rate
Minimum capacity is established to 150 ml for the eye; any exemptions must be justified by effectiveness
Solution quality
- Innocuous during the entire life time
Water or solutions (if water, potable water quality or similar) - Solutions – Have to be sterile
- Non dangerous flow rate
Packaging specifications
- Depend on the type packaging and the solution/weight and volume
- Operational within 5 s.
Standard compliance specification requirements
- Areas of effectiveness
- Contra-indications and limits of efficacy
- Protocol for claimed results
- Installation recommendations
Effectiveness must be significantly proved in comparison with the water and the different amounts of alternative solution and, as such, it is left up to the manufacturer to prove its effectiveness. (Refer to the list of tested products and used method)
ANNEXES & REFERENCES
Used reference for the standard EN 15154
- Norme EN 420 on protective gloves
- Norme ISO 3864 : graphic symbols : safety colours and features- Part 1
- Norme EN 556-1, -2: medical devices sterilization
- Norme EN 980: graphic symbols for medical devices use
- Norme EN 1041: information on medical devices transfered by the manufacturer
> DIN – Deutsches Institut für Normung
– 12899-3 : safety showers in the industry
Sicherheitsnotduschen Im Labor – Standard on safety showers
> ANSI – American National Standard Institute
– Z 358.1-1998
Documents
Brochure on the Standard EN 15154
Documents in compliance with the standard
