Fixed Emergency Showers & Eye Wash Units

Fixed emergency showers & eye wash units

Plumbed-in emergency irrigation equipment — the default for permanent workplaces handling chemicals, corrosives, or biological hazards. Under AS 4775, fixed units must deliver the specified minimum flow for 15 minutes without the user having to hold a valve open, with water tempered between 16 °C and 38 °C. Installed correctly, they're the most reliable first-response equipment for chemical splash exposure.

Station types

• Combination shower + eyewash — the most common configuration. Overhead shower head plus integrated eyewash bowl at face height. One installation covers whole-body and face/eye exposures.
• Standalone shower — overhead drench shower only, without eyewash. For areas where the primary risk is whole-body splashing or clothing saturation (drum decanting, pipe breaks).
• Standalone eyewash — dual-stream eyewash bowl only, mounted on a pedestal or wall-mount. For areas where only face/eye exposure is foreseeable (low-volume decanting, laboratory bench work).
• Face-and-eye wash — wider-pattern wash that covers the full face, in addition to the eye streams. For splash hazards that may hit more than just the eyes.
• Recessed / wall-mount variants — for labs and cleanrooms where the shower folds into the wall when not in use. More expensive but preserves floor space.

Activation

AS 4775 requires a stay-open valve — the user activates once and the valve remains open until mechanically shut off. This is non-negotiable; if the user has to hold the valve open with one hand, they can't use that hand to hold eyelids open or remove contaminated clothing. Activation handles are typically:

• Pull-rod (triangular handle) — the universal standard; visible from across the room, can be operated while blind.
• Foot-treadle — hands-free activation for labs where the user may be holding equipment.
• Push-plate for eyewash bowls — convenient face-level panel activation.

Tempered-water supply

Direct-mains water in most Australian workplaces is outside the 16–38 °C band — too cold in winter (6–12 °C), too hot in summer rooftop piping (40 °C+). Installations feeding from mains supply should incorporate a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) upstream of the station. Commercial tempered-water skids are available for multi-station installations; single-unit TMVs suit small sites.

Drainage and waste

A compliant shower delivers 75.7 L/min — over 1100 litres in a 15-minute flush. The floor drain must accommodate this flow without backing up, and the floor drain should run to a collection tank or waste interceptor rather than directly to stormwater — flush water carries chemical contamination.

Installation

Stations should be:

• Within 10 seconds of any hazard point (~16 m walking path, unobstructed).
• On the same level as the work — no stairs between hazard and station.
• Well-lit; the user may have impaired vision after the splash.
• Signed with AS 1319-compliant green safety signage.
• Maintained with weekly activation testing and annual full-performance testing.

Standards & compliance

Fixed units in this range meet AS 4775 (emergency eyewash and shower equipment) and reference ANSI Z358.1 where applicable. Weekly activation testing is mandatory under AS 4775 clause 5.3; annual performance testing is mandatory under clause 5.4.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a combination shower/eyewash or can I install them separately?

Combination stations are usually more economical for new installations and handle both splash categories in one unit. Separate units suit situations where the eye-splash hazard is in one area and the whole-body splash hazard is in another. AS 4775 is neutral on which configuration you use — both are compliant if they meet the flow and 10-second accessibility rules.

Can I use the main shower room as a compliant emergency shower?

No — a general shower without the stay-open valve, dedicated signage, and documented testing program is not a compliant emergency shower. It's also typically not positioned for 10-second access from the hazard.

Is a tempered-water supply required?

Effectively yes — Australian mains water is almost always outside the 16–38 °C band, so a TMV is required on all but a very narrow range of climate and supply conditions. Without tempered water, users cut the flush short because of cold shock, which defeats the whole system.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts receive 5% off RRP. Site fit-out packages (multiple stations, tempered-water skid, TMV, signage) available at bundle pricing. Installation and commissioning services through the trade team. Apply for a trade account →