Pedestal Eyewash Station

What is the Pedestal Eyewash Station?

A pedestal eyewash station stands on the floor where no suitable wall is available. It places the spray heads at the correct height and is easy to reach safely from any direction.

Overview

The unit is a floor-standing column, usually 2000–2400 mm high if it carries a shower head or about 1200 mm for eyewash only, with the eyewash heads at 800–1100 mm. A stay-open valve is operated by a push plate, foot treadle or handle, so the user's hands are free to hold the eyelids open, and flow is 1.5–2 L/min per eye for at least 15 minutes at tepid temperature. The column is stainless or galvanised steel and is bolted to the floor for stability, with a bowl to catch water and a drain connection. Because it stands free, it can be approached from all sides, which is useful in open laboratory layouts and near process equipment. Weekly activation and annual inspection follow the same standard as wall units.

How does it work?

An eyewash station delivers two soft, aerated streams of tepid water that bathe the eyes so chemicals are diluted and rinsed away without driving them further into the eye. Water flows at about 1.5–2 L/min per eye at low pressure, and the heads are positioned so the user holds the eyelids open in the flow. Stay-open valves allow both hands to be used, and most units provide at least 15 minutes of flushing. Some stations add a face and body spray, and drench hoses reach areas that fixed heads cannot. Units are placed within 10 seconds of hazards, on the same level, with a clear approach and clear signage. Weekly activation flushes stagnant water, and annual inspection verifies flow, temperature, height and spray pattern against ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 or EN 15154-2.

What are the key features?

• Floor-standing column bolted for stability
• Eyewash heads at 800–1100 mm
• Flow 1.5–2 L/min per eye
• Stay-open valve with plate or treadle
• Bowl and drain connection
• Accessible from all directions

What are the technical specifications?

A typical pedestal eyewash station configuration offers type of Pedestal eyewash, column height of 1200–2400 mm, eyewash height of 800–1100 mm, eyewash flow of 1.5–2 L/min per eye, water temperature of 16–38 °C tepid and valve type of Stay-open, plate or treadle. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Pedestal Eyewash Station is used in open laboratory layouts, process and pilot areas, battery and plating rooms and locations without a suitable wall. Across the wider Eyewash Stations class, laboratories also deploy it for chemical and reagent handling, histology and staining areas and battery and electrolyte work.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 (emergency eyewash and shower equipment), EN 15154-2 (eyewash for laboratories), EN 15154-1 (body showers for laboratories), GB/T 38144 (emergency shower and eyewash), ISO 3864 (safety signage) and DIN 12926 (laboratory eyewash). Certification candidates for this model are CE and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Perform a hazard assessment to confirm each station is reachable within 10 seconds, on the same level, and not blocked by equipment, doors or stored items. Activate every unit weekly to flush the line and confirm the valve stays open, and inspect annually for flow, temperature, spray pattern and head height. Maintain tepid water in the range of about 16–38 °C, since cold water discourages the required 15 minutes of flushing. Clean the heads and check for biofilm growth in stagnant lines, especially where use is rare. Provide clear signage, train staff on flushing technique including keeping the eyes open, and record all checks and maintenance for audit.

How do I select the right Pedestal Eyewash Station?

Choose a pedestal unit where there is no wall to mount on or where approach from several directions is needed. Confirm floor fixing and drain. RFQ: hazards, column height, flow, valve operation, drain and placement requirements.

How does it compare with other Eyewash Stations variants?

Choose wall-mounted units for general laboratories where a wall is available near the hazard, and pedestal units where there is no suitable wall or the floor space is free. Deck-mounted eyewashes fit onto a sink and save space but must still be within 10 seconds of the hazard. Drench hoses are used where the risk is localised, such as a specific transfer point, but they need a user who can hold the hose. Portable gravity-fed units suit field work, temporary installations or locations without a plumbed supply, though they have limited capacity. Confirm flow, tepid temperature, spray height and coverage, and that the approach is unobstructed. Verify that the unit suits the chemicals used, and provide signage and training.