Eyewash station ?

[Dennis Alwon]

Yes they do, it is not what was suggested and what box are you putting that on that maintains the listing? It will have to be an FS style box or it is just for show and not code compliance.

I guess I am thinking sheetrock walls but it is probably on a concrete block wall if so then FS box otherwise a standard recessed switch box works

 

[Besoeker]

With respect you are ignoring the question the OP asked.

They did not ask what you think about it, they asked if it was a violation

Directly from the OP:

Safety has questioned this and says its a wet location 1910.305 (e) (2) .

Simply installing a weatherproof switch would cheaply resolve this issue. Along with other posters here, that's the simple and relevant suggestion I was offering for the OP to consider.
As the saying goes, don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[iwire]

I guess I am thinking sheetrock walls but it is probably on a concrete block wall if so then FS box otherwise a standard recessed switch box works

I do not believe using a standard box with that cover would be considered water resistant by UL. (In other words not a listed combination)

A gasket sealed to drywall is not water resistant IMPO.

 

[JFletcher]

How does that change things?

The OP is asking if the presence of a emergency eye wash station near an electrical device is a code violation.

Please stick with that, and cite the code section.

Indoors, outdoors gravity or pressure none of that comes into the question the OP asks .... unless I am missing a code section.

There is no CODE (NEC) section, however there very well may be an OSHA section or 3. The last time I looked up mfg installations of shower type eyewashes, I did not see anything relating to nearby electrical gear.

I asked indoor vs outdoor, shower type vs gravity type was vague; to the point, is the switch subject to water either environmentally (outdoors) or by any use or design of the shower? If the answer to either or both is "yes", I can see why the OP's safety dept has a concern.

I also asked whether or not that switch was required to be thrown in order to illuminate the eyewash station.

 

[iwire]

There is no CODE (NEC) section, however there very well may be an OSHA section or 3. The last time I looked up mfg installations of shower type eyewashes, I did not see anything relating to nearby electrical gear.

In general OSHA follows the NEC, perhaps not as updated but it is where the OSHA rules came from.

I asked indoor vs outdoor, shower type vs gravity type was vague; to the point, is the switch subject to water either environmentally (outdoors) or by any use or design of the shower? If the answer to either or both is "yes", I can see why the OP's safety dept has a concern.

I am assuming the OP knows a switch located outside or inside in a wet location needs to be treated as such.

I also asked whether or not that switch was required to be thrown in order to illuminate the eyewash station.

And I am still wondering what that has to do with answering the OPs question about the code.












I am also left wondering what are we going to do about all the electrical devices located near these emergency devices?

 

[ActionDave]

I asked indoor vs outdoor, shower type vs gravity type was vague; to the point, is the switch subject to water either environmentally (outdoors) or by any use or design of the shower? If the answer to either or both is "yes", I can see why the OP's safety dept has a concern. .

Why? You can touch a light switch dripping wet with no shoes on and there won't be any danger.

 

[Jraef]

When in doubt, I start with Article 100.

Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness
or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily
subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a
building under construction.

Location, Wet. Installations underground or in concrete
slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations
subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such
as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed
to weather.

To my mind, the "not normally" aspect of an EMERGENCY eyewash station makes this a dry location. If it's a dry location, all rules for dry locations apply.

If not, EVERYTHING in that area would need to be watertight. There is no distance involved in the description, so if you think of an eye wash station operation as "normal" and "saturating", then everything in that same room must then be referred to as a "wet location".

Then if you insist on that, how far do you take it?

 

[JFletcher]

And I am still wondering what that has to do with answering the OPs question about the code.

Eyewash stations are required to have correct signage and be well illuminated. I ask if that switch is to the source of that illumination; you shouldnt have to fumble with a switch to use a shower.

There does not appear to be any OSHA violation with a switch (of any voltage) being that close to the shower, tho I did find this from John Hopkins Hospital:

Location:
Shower located in an area that requires
no more than 10 seconds to reach.
In a well-lit area and identified with a sign

and

4. No obstructions, protrusions, or sharp objects shall be located within sixteen (16) inches from the center of the water spray pattern of the emergency showers or within six (6) inches from the center of the water spray pattern of the eyewash station

5. No electrical apparatus, telephones, thermostats or power outlets shall be located within eighteen (18) inches of either side of the emergency shower or eyewash

https://hpo.johnshopkins.edu/hse/policies/156/10941/policy_10941.pdf

If the switch is 2' away, it's okay. Davebones wrote in his first post it's "about 2 ft" away. JHU isnt OSHA, the NEC, or AHJ, however, that they include the information I cited above in (4) and (5) means someone is thinking about it and concerned enough to make it policy.

Sprinkler heads are off topic; we could discuss that elsewhere if you wish.

 

[Jraef]

Everything up to that last point (#5) is what's in the OSHA regs. So obviously JHU noticed that this wasn't addressed and came up with their own rule to compensate. Smart idea.

 

[iwire]

Eyewash stations are required to have correct signage and be well illuminated. I ask if that switch is to the source of that illumination; you shouldnt have to fumble with a switch to use a shower.

There does not appear to be any OSHA violation with a switch (of any voltage) being that close to the shower, tho I did find this from John Hopkins Hospital:

Location:
Shower located in an area that requires
no more than 10 seconds to reach.
In a well-lit area and identified with a sign

and

4. No obstructions, protrusions, or sharp objects shall be located within sixteen (16) inches from the center of the water spray pattern of the emergency showers or within six (6) inches from the center of the water spray pattern of the eyewash station

5. No electrical apparatus, telephones, thermostats or power outlets shall be located within eighteen (18) inches of either side of the emergency shower or eyewash

https://hpo.johnshopkins.edu/hse/policies/156/10941/policy_10941.pdf

If the switch is 2' away, it's okay. Davebones wrote in his first post it's "about 2 ft" away. JHU isnt OSHA, the NEC, or AHJ, however, that they include the information I cited above in (4) and (5) means someone is thinking about it and concerned enough to make it policy.

Sprinkler heads are off topic; we could discuss that elsewhere if you wish.

Wow ... you are going on at length about clearances, illumination and such and yet tell me the example of a emergency fire sprinkler is to far off?

The bottom line is this, the addition of a eyewash station does not change an area from a dry location to a wet location.

 

[JFletcher]

Wow ... you are going on at length about clearances, illumination and such and yet tell me the example of a emergency fire sprinkler is to far off?

The bottom line is this, the addition of a eyewash station does not change an area from a dry location to a wet location.

Yes, I am. My argument is not based upon a wet/dry location angle, but more or less unassociated equipment being too close.

To go with your angle tho, a sprinkler head is a one-time use item; they are never tested, whereas a shower is tested weekly. Sprinkler heads are irrelevant since they would never be tested, wouldnt be within 2' of the shower, and would never be in the way of access to the shower. Furthermore, under a fire condition, saving lives is more important than turning a previously dry location into one that is sopping wet from an activated head, and the FD may/is gonna blast it with a fire hose anyway. That is an extraordinary circumstance. Testing emergency showers weekly is NOT an extraordinary circumstance, it is (supposed to be) a weekly occurrence. Some area within the field of a shower *should*, imo, be classed as a wet location.

Consider it like this: we have working space clearances around panels, so that we can safely access and work on them. Eyewash stations/showers *should*, imho, have the same clearances so they can be safely accessed when needed. You cannot put any obstructions between a potential source of harm and the station. In some environments, like containment pits or pump galleys, the station is stand alone since there are chemical dangers all around.

The OP's switch at ~2' away. I keep asking if the switch is needed to illuminate the shower area because if it is, I believe that a violation of OSHA rules. Also, a nearby (< 2' away) bell box on a concrete wall containing a switch *may* be within the field of the weekly shower test spray. It could also be a "protrusion or sharp object" too close to the shower.

Without more information from the OP (a picture would be great) re: how close the switch is to the shower, its height, etc. we will never resolve this. There may be more than one factor at play: wet/dry location, the potential safety aspect of having something too close to the shower that doesnt belong, and having to actuate other equipment in order to use the station.

 

[gadfly56]

Yes, I am. My argument is not based upon a wet/dry location angle, but more or less unassociated equipment being too close.

To go with your angle tho, a sprinkler head is a one-time use item; they are never tested, whereas a shower is tested weekly. Sprinkler heads are irrelevant since they would never be tested, wouldnt be within 2' of the shower, and would never be in the way of access to the shower. Furthermore, under a fire condition, saving lives is more important than turning a previously dry location into one that is sopping wet from an activated head, and the FD may/is gonna blast it with a fire hose anyway. That is an extraordinary circumstance. Testing emergency showers weekly is NOT an extraordinary circumstance, it is (supposed to be) a weekly occurrence. Some area within the field of a shower *should*, imo, be classed as a wet location.

Consider it like this: we have working space clearances around panels, so that we can safely access and work on them. Eyewash stations/showers *should*, imho, have the same clearances so they can be safely accessed when needed. You cannot put any obstructions between a potential source of harm and the station. In some environments, like containment pits or pump galleys, the station is stand alone since there are chemical dangers all around.

The OP's switch at ~2' away. I keep asking if the switch is needed to illuminate the shower area because if it is, I believe that a violation of OSHA rules. Also, a nearby (< 2' away) bell box on a concrete wall containing a switch *may* be within the field of the weekly shower test spray. It could also be a "protrusion or sharp object" too close to the shower.

Without more information from the OP (a picture would be great) re: how close the switch is to the shower, its height, etc. we will never resolve this. There may be more than one factor at play: wet/dry location, the potential safety aspect of having something too close to the shower that doesnt belong, and having to actuate other equipment in order to use the station.

Sure we can. The OP's question is, "Is this a wet location?" The answer is "no", as explained above by Jraef. Resolved.

 

[JFletcher]

Sure we can. The OP's question is, "Is this a wet location?" The answer is "no", as explained above by Jraef. Resolved.

He also asked "Is this a violation?" of the NEC, apparently not, but that is not the only code in play here.

 

[gadfly56]

He also asked "Is this a violation?" of the NEC, apparently not, but that is not the only code in play here.

If the question regarding the light switch is in reference to wet locations, you are correct, the answer would be "no". Well, the OSHA regs don't seem to differ much from the NEC. In fact, the definitions seem to be lifted from the NEC.

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9976

 

[ActionDave]

If the question regarding the light switch is in reference to wet locations, you are correct, the answer would be "no". As I read the OP, the NEC is, in fact, the only code in play. Lots of people have had some very interesting things to say, but the OP has his answer as far as I'm concerned.

The op asked if the switch is a violation of 1910 (e)(2), whatever that is.

 

[gadfly56]

The op asked if the switch is a violation of 1910 (e)(2), whatever that is.

A good point, we drifted a bit. It's essentially a copy of the NEC wording on the issue.

 

[JFletcher]

The op asked if the switch is a violation of 1910 (e)(2), whatever that is.

29 CFR 1910.305 (e) (2) is OSHA regs. The section reads:

1910.305(e)(2)
Switches, circuit breakers, and switchboards. Switches, circuit breakers, and switchboards installed in wet locations shall be enclosed in weatherproof enclosures.

 

[gadfly56]

29 CFR 1910.305 (e) (2) is OSHA regs. The section reads:

1910.305(e)(2)
Switches, circuit breakers, and switchboards. Switches, circuit breakers, and switchboards installed in wet locations shall be enclosed in weatherproof enclosures.

To compliment, here's the language from my link:

Location --

(1) Damp location. Partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses.

(2) Dry location. A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under construction.

(3) Wet location. Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth, and locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle-washing areas, and locations unprotected and exposed to weather.