Portable Gravity-Fed Eyewash Station

What is the Portable Gravity-Fed Eyewash Station?

A portable gravity-fed eyewash station supplies flushing water without a plumbed connection. It is used for field work, temporary sites and locations where plumbing is unavailable, and also for remote or mobile laboratories.

Overview

The unit is a self-contained tank, usually 10–40 L, on a stand or trolley, with gravity delivering water to two eyewash heads at 1.5–2 L/min per eye. Some models add a body spray, and most include a wall bracket or floor stand, a fill indicator and a dust cover. Water should be tepid, and in cold weather a heated jacket or replaceable warm water may be needed. Because capacity is limited, the flushing time depends on volume; a 30 L tank can supply about 15 minutes only if the flow is carefully set, so the volume and flow must be matched to the requirement. The unit must be refilled and the water changed on a schedule to prevent stagnation, and it should be sited within 10 seconds of the hazard.

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?

• Self-contained tank of 10–40 L
• Gravity feed to two eyewash heads
• Flow 1.5–2 L/min per eye
• Wall bracket or floor stand
• Fill indicator and dust cover
• No plumbing required

What are the technical specifications?

A typical portable gravity-fed eyewash station configuration offers type of Portable gravity-fed eyewash, tank volume of 10–40 L, eyewash flow of 1.5–2 L/min per eye, water temperature of 16–38 °C tepid, flush duration of ≥ 15 min at matched flow and heads of Two aerated, covered. 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 Portable Gravity-Fed Eyewash Station is used in field and mobile laboratories, temporary work sites, locations without plumbing and remote sampling points. 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 Portable Gravity-Fed Eyewash Station?

Choose a portable unit only where a plumbed supply is unavailable, and match tank volume to the required flush time. Confirm the refill schedule and tepid water. RFQ: hazard, distance, required flush time, tank volume and mounting.

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.