Patent Publication Number: US-6711758-B1

Title: Self-contained emergency shower and eyewash system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to industrial and commercial emergency equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to emergency shower and eyewash system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional emergency showers and eyewash systems are typically designed by safety equipment manufactures to be hooked up to running water sources located within manufacturing, industrial, and research facilities. Many facilities, however, are limited with respect to having running plumbing throughout all work areas requiring full-scale emergency water flushing equipment. Adding the necessary plumbing throughout warehouses lacking suitable water sources for conventional, full-scale equipment could, furthermore, be costly. As a result of infrastructure limitations associated with plumbing, portable devices are typically deployed throughout facilities to accommodate industrial safety requirements and guidelines. Most portable units, however, are also limited as compared to full-scale equipment in the ability to adequately deliver fluid pressure and quantity. Portable units generally lack storage capacity, may require electrical pump assistance to overcome poor gravity performance, and are not as easy to locate and operate as conventional utility-plumbed systems (i.e., connected to a facility water and sewer system). 
     Employee safety procedures and equipment use is mandated in most industrialized countries. In the United States, for example, emergency shower and eyewash unit guidelines are provided in 29 CFR 1910.151(c)—(ANSI Z 358.1-1998 ), Emergency shower and eyewash equipment. According to the ANSI standard, emergency shower, eyewash and face washing units must be located nor more than 10 seconds from potential hazards. The units must be on same level as the hazard and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions that inhibit the immediate use of the equipment. The unit&#39;s location must be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign. All units must include valves that can activate in 1 second or less and stay open during use until turned off by a user. 
     More technical specifications directly associated with each type of emergency washing/flushing units are outlined in the ANSI standard. A utility-plumbed unit is permanently connected to a source of potable water and a self-contained unit contains its own flushing fluid that must be refilled or replaced after use. Emergency shower heads must be positioned no less than about 82″ from the floor, have a spray pattern a minimum diameter of 20″ at 60″ above the floor, have a flow rate of 20 gallons per minute at a velocity low enough to be non-injurious to the user, and the center of the spray pattern should be located at least 16″ from any obstruction. 
     Eye and face wash units are devices used to irrigate and flush both the face and eyes. Eyewash units should be protected from airborne contaminants and must be positioned about 33″ to 45″ from the floor and 6″ from walls or nearby obstructions. The units should have large enough heads to cover both of a user&#39;s eyes and the user&#39;s face or combine regular size eye wash heads with a face spray ring. Combined eyewash and facewash units should be capable of delivering 3 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes. Eyewash units should be capable of delivering 0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes for gravity-feed units. 
     The present inventors have recognized through their experience in industrial settings that a need exists for cost effective deployment of combined emergency shower and eyewash/facewash systems throughout potentially hazardous industrial, manufacturing or research facilities without restriction or concern associated with the lack of available water supplies and plumbing. Yet, the present inventors also recognize the need for enterprises to economize and use commonly available resources when available. With this in mind, the present inventors believe that their invention can address the current need and resolve problems facing safety- and compliance-minded companies and organizations without departing substantially from the use of emergency washing equipment that is already widely known and accepted by industry. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To address the industrial need to overcome limitations found to be present in the industrial safety field, the present invention is herein disclosed by the present inventors in hopes of providing a emergency washing systems for use in areas within facilities requiring such safety equipment but lacking the necessary plumbing or utilities to deliver water typically required for full-scale, permanently located emergency flushing requirements. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a full-scale emergency washing system for use in areas within facilities lacking plumbing or utilities necessary to deliver water. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, new improvement can be provided as useful a retrofit for and modification to full-scale, conventional and generally available emergency washing equipment. 
     In accordance yet another aspect of the present invention, to provide a system that can provide quantities and operations that meet regulations, guidelines or rules governing full-scale emergency washing equipment. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system can be provided that can be located conveniently throughout a facility in a manner that facilitates its identification and use. 
     In accordance with general features of the present invention, a conventional (e.g., full-scale) emergency shower and/or eyewash unit can be retrofitted for use in work areas where water is not available or easily provided. A typical, full-scale emergency shower and/or eyewash unit can be retrofitted at plumbing connection located near the top of its main delivery pipe to be in fluid communication with a large capacity container capable of large amounts of fluid storage and located well above the shower/eyewash unit so that fluid (i.e., water) from the container can flow into the shower/eyewash unit using the benefit of gravity. Additionally, a liquid release valve can be located near the base/bottom of the shower/eyewash unit so that liquid contained in the container can periodically be released during routine system maintenance, cleaning, and bleeding (e.g., the process of purging air from system pipes). 
     Alternate configurations can be included for use within the emergency washing system to ensures that fluid/water contained in the container is not allowed to itself become harmful from bacterial or microorganism growth, which is a common problem with stagnant liquids such as water. For example, an air pump can be added to the container in order to supply a constant fresh air supply to the (standing) water supply. An air release valve can also be added onto the top or lid of the storage container to prevent pressure from building up inside it. Additionally an electro-mechanically driven agitation device can be added inside the container to move liquid throughout the container while it is being stored and thereby assist in preventing stagnation. 
     Liquid temperature is sometimes difficult to maintain in work locations lacking heat. The addition of a heater to the container can help keep the liquid contained therein at a comfortable temperature for its potential use in the event of an emergency. A heater can include electrically powered heating coils submersed in the liquid containing area of the container, or heating element can be embedded in or mounted to the container housing itself. Facility, batter and solar power sources can be used to provide power to any heater or agitator that may be used with the present system. A controller can also be used to manage the heater and agitator. 
     The entire shower system can include the use of a metal rack that can stand alone, or be secured to the floor and the walls of the emergency washing and decontamination area. The emergency rack, supported container and washing hardware should provide an easily identifiable, accessible emergency washing station for use in environments that can sometimes be crowded with large amounts of equipment, supplies and personnel. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art after fully appreciating the present disclosure that cost effective units can be assembled and install in multiple, water- and plumbing-deprived locations throughout industrial settings requiring their installation and potential use. 
    
    
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description when interpreted in view of the accompanying drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the invention, and to show by way of example how the same may be carried into effect, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which: 
     FIG. 1 labeled as prior art, is an illustration of an emergency shower and eye wash station typically in use within industrial, manufacturing, laboratory and other potentially hazardous environments wherein use of such a system may be mandated; 
     FIG. 2 labeled as prior art, is another illustration showing alternate utility connection of the emergency shower and eye wash station shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a container that can be used to carry out the present invention in accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates additional embodiments for use with a container such as that shown in FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 6 illustrates additional embodiments for an emergency washing system in accordance with teachings provided herein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides other applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific parts and dimensions described in embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways for the skilled in the art to make and use the invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, identified as prior art, a combined emergency shower and eyewash unit  100  commonly found in use throughout manufacturing, industrial and laboratory settings to meet industrial safety requirements is illustrated. An emergency shower and eyewash unit  100  will typically have at least one of a showerhead unit  105  or eyewash/facewash unit  110 . Where a shower head unit  105  is in use, a person requiring activation of an emergency rinse can activate the valve  125  associated with causing delivery of liquid (typically water) to the shower head unit  105 . The valve is normally caused to become open, allowing water to flow through the shower head unit  105  to area located directly below it, by a user pulling generally downward on an easily identifiable ring handle  115 . The ring handle  115  is typically tied by a cord  130  to a lever  120 , which is in operational connection with the valve  125 . The ring handle is also typically brightly colored (e.g., orange, yellow and/or red) and may have a arrow clearly, simply and universally identifying the direction a user must pull on the ring to most effectively cause the shower head unit  105  to operate. 
     Where an eyewash/facewash unit  110  is being used, a user will typically push on an easily identifiable hand lever  135 , typically presented in the form of a paddle. By pushing forward on the hand lever  135 , a valve  140  associated with the hand/face wash unit  110  will open causing water to flow out of spray heads  145  that will normally be oriented so that water will spray in an upwardly direction towards a user&#39;s face and eyes. Sometimes the eye/face wash units will be activated by a foot-operated valve (not shown). A bowl  147  can be provided with eye/face wash units to catch water and cause it to drain if necessary plumbing associated with a drain is provided; otherwise, it is common to find eye/face wash units without a bowl. It is acceptable in most environments for water to be allowed to drop to the ground surrounding an emergency washing station because emergency events are hoped to be nonexistent or rare. Nevertheless, basic units capable of delivering emergency wash/rinse are the least that is required in many conditions and environments. 
     Delivery of water to emergency wash hardware such as the shower  105  and eye/face wash  110  units illustrated in FIG. 1 is typically provided through a main pipe section  180 , to which the wash hardware  105  and  110  will be placed in liquid communication via plumbing hardware and methods well known in the art. The main pipe section  180  (shown with two locations) can be adapted for use as a combined vertical support and liquid delivery unit. The main pipe section  180  should be selected so that when it is fully assembled it extends vertically upwards about 82″ or more from a base location near a floor to its upward termination point. The main pipe section  180  can further include a first plumbing connection point  175  located near the floor, a second plumbing connection point  185  located at about 33″ to 45″ above the floor, and a third plumbing connection point  195  located near the upward termination point. The plumbing connection points should include plumbing connections suitable for receiving standard hardware associated with emergency washing equipment such as the shower 1-5 and eye/face wash  110  units. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the first plumbing connection point  175  is shown located near the bottom of the main pipe section  180  above a base  150  that may also be in use to firmly support the main pipe section  180 . As shown in the illustrated environment, the first plumbing connection point can be used to connect to a water supply line  170  provided by the facility, represented by wall  165 . With such a connection, the main pipe section  180  can fill with water where it can be summoned into use via ring-actuated valve  125  or paddle valve  135 . Also, the second plumbing connection point can be used solely to support the eye/face wash station  110 , and would therefore have to be sealed off to prevent water from flowing into a drain (not shown) that would normally be associated with drain piping  149  and the bowl  147  if in use as shown in FIG.  1 . The third plumbing connection point  195  would also be capped  197  if a t-connection were being used, allowing water to flow only to the shower unit  105  and associated hardware. Furthermore, if water can be allowed to drain through the base  150 , then any opening provided within the base  150  should also be sealed off. Support hardware  160  would also normally be used with a supporting connection somewhere between the second  185  and third  195  plumbing connection points to ensure that the entire structure for the emergency station  100  is firmly secured, normally to a neighboring wall  165 . 
     It should be appreciated that in the alternative to what has been explained with respect to the system  200  illustrated in FIG. 1, water could also be supplied through the second  185  or third  195  plumbing connection points. Referring to FIG. 2, also identified as prior art, facility water is provided from a water line  205  to the third plumbing connection point  195 , where after it is allowed to fill the main pipe section  180 . As explained with respect to FIG. 1, openings other than those associated with showerhead unit  105  and valve  125 , or eyewash/facewash unit  110  and associated valve  140  should be sealed off. First plumbing connection point  175  is shown sealed off with a cap  177 . It should be appreciated, however, that in a conventional system that can receive facility water as shown in FIG. 2, water can be made available to the shower head unit  105  and eyewash/facewash unit  110  through the upper portion  183  of the main pipe section  180 ; in which case the bowl  147  can not only be supported by the second plumbing connection point  185 , but can also be allowed to drain through associated piping  149  into the lower portion  187  of the main pipe section  180  to facility waste system plumbing, which can be connected to the first plumbing connection point  175 , similar to what was illustrated for receiving facility water in FIG.  1 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, an emergency washing system  300  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A facility or location not having access to a water source can be provided with an emergency washing system as illustrated, which includes a container  310  capable of holding large volumes of liquid an capable of being located above its connection  195  to a main pipe section  180  as described with respect to connections illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. A fluid release valve  370  can be provided at the first plumbing connection, selected for its location beneath washing hardware and near the ground, to allow for liquid to flow from the container  310  through the main pipe section  180  and through the release valve  370  where it can exit the system  300  during routine maintenance procedures. Otherwise a generous amount of liquid can remain on standby within the container  310  until needed by any shower  320  or eyewash/facewash hardware  330  associated with the system  300 . Such a configuration ensures that fluid/water contained in the container  310  can be released after prolonged periods of non-use so that it is not allowed to itself become harmful from bacterial or microorganism growth, which is a common problem with stagnant liquid such as water. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a close up of a container in the form of a tank is illustrated. Also shown in the FIG. 4 is the location of an exit port  325 , which is where tubing  315  can be connected to tubing  315  for delivery of fluid to the tubing&#39;s connection with the third connection point  195  associated with main pipe section  180  shown in FIG. 3. A liquid storage container  310  should be selected such that it is suitable for containing a large volume (e.g., 500 to 1000 liters) of liquid. The container  310  will preferably have an opening formed near its top for receiving liquid for storage. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the container  310  shown in FIG. 4 is now illustrated with a cutout view showing the drain  505  associated with the exit port  325  and pipe  315  connection of FIG.  4 . Fluid (i.e., water) contained within the container  310  can easily flow through the drain  505 , exit port  325  and any piping  315  connecting the container to conventionally installed emergency shower and eyewash using the benefit of gravity so long as the container is positioned above the location intended for the liquids end use. 
     A removable cover  510  should be selected for closing the opening that is formed near the top of the container  310 . The cover  510 , shown as a fill cap in FIG. 5, is used to refill the container  310  if it becomes low or emptied because of emergency use or during maintenance. Depending on the type of opening defined at the container&#39;s top, the cover  510  can be provided such that it adequately seals the liquid contents of the container from contaminants. Suitable covers can include lids, caps, hatches, valves and other means of providing coverage for liquid containing vessels. The liquid storage container should be located well above the emergency washing apparatus and location so that the flow of liquid from the container to the main pipe unit and attached hardware (e.g., shower head, nozzles, liquid release valves) can benefit from forces of gravity. 
     Also shown in FIG. 5, an air vent  540  can be added to the top of the container to allow fresh air into the tank, allowing liquid contained therein to breath. It should be appreciated that the air vent  540  can be filtered or air can be provided from an air pump, which can also be positioned in the air vent&#39;s location. An air vent  540  or air supply of another form can be useful for supplying a constant fresh air supply to the (standing) water supply. An air release valve can also be added onto the top or lid of the storage tank, in case of pressure build up where the container must be kept airtight. If the contents must remain airtight, then a release valve can be provided in the same location as air vent  540 , or can be associated with cover  510 . 
     In an effort to provide other way of preventing water stagnation within the container  310  because of storage for long duration or in warmer environments, an electro-mechanically driven agitation device  515  can be used inside the tank to periodically move water throughout the tank while it is being stored. In colder environments, water stagnation and spoilage is not as much of a concern. In cold weather environments, the biggest concern is over maintaining a comfortable temperature of the liquid for potential emergency users and to prevent the liquid from freezing. Water temperature can be difficult to maintain in environments lacking heat, such as outdoor facilities. 
     A heater  520  can be included in the container  310  to help keep the liquid contained therein at a comfortable temperature for its potential use in the event of an emergency, and to prevent the liquid from freezing. Such a heater  520  can include electrically-powered heating coils submersed in the liquid containing area of the container as shown in FIG. 5 or can be provided in the form of a heating element that is embedded in or mounted to the container&#39;s  310  housing. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a heated container would benefit from insulation of some form, whether it be integrated into the container&#39;s design or installed around the external surface of the container. In cold weather environments it would be preferable that all liquid carrying piping be insulated using means know in the art. Electrical connection  530  can be located near the top of the container. It should be appreciated that the heater  520  and agitator  515  can be monitored, controlled, set and powered by computers, controllers and sources known in the art. It should also be appreciated that power can be provided to the heater  520  and agitator  515 , if in use, by facility, battery and solar sources and equipment. 
     It is well known in the art to also use chemical to prevent biological contamination to occur in water, and furthermore to prevent freezing of liquids. One chemical compound that will preserve water up to six months is being used throughout the world. MICROPUR™MFL 1000 (liquid) can be used as a means of preventing water contamination during storage within the container. As per the manufacture this product keeps water in tanks free from bacteria recontamination. Micropur uses bacteriostatic and bactericide properties of Silver. Unlike chlorine, which is only active in water for a few hours, silver ions can stay active for up to six months because the ions attach to cell membranes of Microorganisms, preventing their growth. Micropur&#39;s active substance is a sodium chloride complex with a 0.1 ppm silver ion content. Use of Micropur enables an effective water conservation solution that allows non-drinking water useful for emergency washing applications to be stored for up to 6 months before it must be changed out Referring to FIG. 6, the entire emergency washing system (including the hardware associated with main pipe section  180  and container  310 ) can include a metal rack  610  for support, identification and emergency area  180  preservation. The metal rack  610  can be secured to the floor and/or walls of a facility, or can be used in a stand-alone location where infrastructure (e.g., walls and floors capable of having equipment affixed thereto using hardware) is not available to secure or support such a system. The metal rack  610  can be supported on the ground by a base  615  associated with locations where the metal rack is placed in contact with the ground. The metal rack can also be effective in marking off the emergency stations location using signage  620  that can be affixed high above the station on the container  310 . The emergency washing and decontamination area  180 , which must be kept clear of machinery, hardware, personnel and other potential obstructions, can be preserved by the surrounding metal rack  610 , as shown in FIG. 6. A suitable support frame can be assembled using metal or wood beams and metal nuts and bolts so that the frame can adequately support a heavy, liquid-filled container well above the emergency washing station. The support frame should also be durable enough to provide cover for the station and can also aid in proper identification of the emergency washing station&#39;s location. 
     The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, should recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.