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Guardian Equipment
312 447 8100
TELEPHONE
1140 N North Branch St 312 447 8101
FACSIMILE
Chicago, IL 60642
gesafety.com
Operation and Maintenance Guide:
Eyewash/Drench Hose Units
Drench Hose Units
rev. 011619 / © 2019 Guardian Equipment
Operation
The proper use of an eyewash/drench hose or drench hose unit requires observing a few simple guidelines:
1. All users must be instructed as to the location of all safety equipment in the facility, including emergency eyewash and shower
equipment.
2. In the event of a chemical splash or spill, the affected area of the victim’s body must be flushed immediately for at least fifteen
minutes. For chemical spills to the eyes, the user should hold his or her eyes open as wide as possible to permit the water to
reach all areas around the eye.
3. Rinsing the affected area for fifteen minutes is only the first step in treating exposure to a hazardous chemical. Following
rinsing, the victim should be examined and treated by a doctor or other trained medical specialist as soon as possible.
Inspection and Maintenance
Like all emergency eyewash and shower equipment, eyewash/drench hose and drench hose units must be inspected on a regular
basis to assure that, in an emergency, they are available for immediate and effective use. Guardian recommends that the following
inspection schedule be followed for all emergency eyewash and shower equipment:
Weekly Activation:
In accordance with the provisions of ANSI Z358.1-2014, all emergency equipment should be activated at least
weekly to assure proper operation.
Monthly Maintenance Inspection:
All emergency equipment, including eyewash/drench hose and drench hose units, should
be inspected at least monthly to find and address any maintenance issues. The monthly inspection should incorporate the
recommended weekly activation of the unit, as well as a thorough inspection of the unit to assure that it is in good operating
condition and showing no signs of wear. Particular attention should be paid to the spray heads, valve and hose assembly.
Annual Compliance Inspection:
All emergency equipment should be inspected at least annually to verify continued compliance
with the provisions of ANSI Z358.1-2014.
Each of these inspections is described in more detail below.
1. Weekly Activation
Weekly activation is a simple but effective check to make sure that the emergency equipment is in good operating condition. A
record of the weekly activation should be maintained on a tag affixed to the unit.
2. Monthly Maintenance Inspection
The monthly maintenance inspection of eyewash/drench hose and drench hose units is a longer and more comprehensive
inspection than the weekly activation. Listed below are the major elements that this inspection should cover. In addition,
Guardian has developed the “Monthly Inspection Troubleshooting Guide” included below to assist in the recommended monthly
inspections of eyewash/drench hose and drench hose units.
