Five types of eyewash station, and where each one belongs

Eyewash stations differ mainly in how they are mounted and how they are activated. Getting the type right is more important than getting the finish right — a beautifully made unit in the wrong place will not be used in an emergency.

Selection matrix

Placement rules that apply to every type

• Within ten seconds of travel from the hazard, on the same floor level

• No door, step, or stored goods between the hazard and the station

• Clearly signed, and lit so it can be found with one eye closed

• Spray heads 83–87 cm above floor level, at least 15 cm from any wall

• Connected to a supply that holds the required flow at working pressure

Flow and water quality

The performance baseline is a 15-minute flush at a shower rate of at least 75.7 L/min and an eyewash rate of at least 11.4 L/min. Water should be tepid — roughly 16–38 °C — because cold water causes the eyelids to clamp shut and hot water can compound a chemical burn.

Maintenance that keeps the unit usable

Four installation mistakes we see repeatedly

Spray heads set too high

Heads mounted above about 87 cm force the user to stand on tiptoe, which makes it impossible to hold the eyes open. Set them between 83 and 87 cm and keep them at least 15 cm clear of the wall.

The unit placed behind a door or a stack of goods

Access is measured in travel time, not in metres on a drawing. If a forklift can park in front of the station, the station does not exist on the day it is needed.

No signage, or signage that cannot be seen

The sign has to be visible from the hazard, ideally at eye level and illuminated. A sign around the corner is decoration, not wayfinding.

Installed and then forgotten

An eyewash station that has not been activated for six months is a station with stagnant water in the line and debris in the strainers. Put the weekly activation on a named person's checklist, not on a general instruction.

Which one should you order

If the hazard affects the body as well as the eyes, start with a combination shower and eyewash. If floor space is limited and the hazard is localised, a wall-mounted station is usually the practical answer. If there is no water line at all, a gravity-fed portable unit is the only compliant option.

Send us the hazard, the floor plan and your water pressure, and we will recommend the type and model rather than leave you to compare datasheets.