Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Wash receptacles – Emergency fountains
Reexamination Certificate
2003-05-08
2004-03-30
Nguyen, Tuan N. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Wash receptacles
Emergency fountains
C004S617000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06711758
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to industrial and commercial emergency equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to emergency shower and eyewash system.
BACKGROUND
Conventional emergency showers and eyewash systems are typically designed by safety equipment manufactures to be hooked up to running water sources located within manufacturing, industrial, and research facilities. Many facilities, however, are limited with respect to having running plumbing throughout all work areas requiring full-scale emergency water flushing equipment. Adding the necessary plumbing throughout warehouses lacking suitable water sources for conventional, full-scale equipment could, furthermore, be costly. As a result of infrastructure limitations associated with plumbing, portable devices are typically deployed throughout facilities to accommodate industrial safety requirements and guidelines. Most portable units, however, are also limited as compared to full-scale equipment in the ability to adequately deliver fluid pressure and quantity. Portable units generally lack storage capacity, may require electrical pump assistance to overcome poor gravity performance, and are not as easy to locate and operate as conventional utility-plumbed systems (i.e., connected to a facility water and sewer system).
Employee safety procedures and equipment use is mandated in most industrialized countries. In the United States, for example, emergency shower and eyewash unit guidelines are provided in 29 CFR 1910.151(c)—(ANSI Z
358.1-1998
), Emergency shower and eyewash equipment. According to the ANSI standard, emergency shower, eyewash and face washing units must be located nor more than 10 seconds from potential hazards. The units must be on same level as the hazard and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions that inhibit the immediate use of the equipment. The unit's location must be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign. All units must include valves that can activate in 1 second or less and stay open during use until turned off by a user.
More technical specifications directly associated with each type of emergency washing/flushing units are outlined in the ANSI standard. A utility-plumbed unit is permanently connected to a source of potable water and a self-contained unit contains its own flushing fluid that must be refilled or replaced after use. Emergency shower heads must be positioned no less than about 82″ from the floor, have a spray pattern a minimum diameter of 20″ at 60″ above the floor, have a flow rate of 20 gallons per minute at a velocity low enough to be non-injurious to the user, and the center of the spray pattern should be located at least 16″ from any obstruction.
Eye and face wash units are devices used to irrigate and flush both the face and eyes. Eyewash units should be protected from airborne contaminants and must be positioned about 33″ to 45″ from the floor and 6″ from walls or nearby obstructions. The units should have large enough heads to cover both of a user's eyes and the user's face or combine regular size eye wash heads with a face spray ring. Combined eyewash and facewash units should be capable of delivering 3 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes. Eyewash units should be capable of delivering 0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes for gravity-feed units.
The present inventors have recognized through their experience in industrial settings that a need exists for cost effective deployment of combined emergency shower and eyewash/facewash systems throughout potentially hazardous industrial, manufacturing or research facilities without restriction or concern associated with the lack of available water supplies and plumbing. Yet, the present inventors also recognize the need for enterprises to economize and use commonly available resources when available. With this in mind, the present inventors believe that their invention can address the current need and resolve problems facing safety- and compliance-minded companies and organizations without departing substantially from the use of emergency washing equipment that is already widely known and accepted by industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To address the industrial need to overcome limitations found to be present in the industrial safety field, the present invention is herein disclosed by the present inventors in hopes of providing a emergency washing systems for use in areas within facilities requiring such safety equipment but lacking the necessary plumbing or utilities to deliver water typically required for full-scale, permanently located emergency flushing requirements.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a full-scale emergency washing system for use in areas within facilities lacking plumbing or utilities necessary to deliver water.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, new improvement can be provided as useful a retrofit for and modification to full-scale, conventional and generally available emergency washing equipment.
In accordance yet another aspect of the present invention, to provide a system that can provide quantities and operations that meet regulations, guidelines or rules governing full-scale emergency washing equipment.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system can be provided that can be located conveniently throughout a facility in a manner that facilitates its identification and use.
In accordance with general features of the present invention, a conventional (e.g., full-scale) emergency shower and/or eyewash unit can be retrofitted for use in work areas where water is not available or easily provided. A typical, full-scale emergency shower and/or eyewash unit can be retrofitted at plumbing connection located near the top of its main delivery pipe to be in fluid communication with a large capacity container capable of large amounts of fluid storage and located well above the shower/eyewash unit so that fluid (i.e., water) from the container can flow into the shower/eyewash unit using the benefit of gravity. Additionally, a liquid release valve can be located near the base/bottom of the shower/eyewash unit so that liquid contained in the container can periodically be released during routine system maintenance, cleaning, and bleeding (e.g., the process of purging air from system pipes).
Alternate configurations can be included for use within the emergency washing system to ensures that fluid/water contained in the container is not allowed to itself become harmful from bacterial or microorganism growth, which is a common problem with stagnant liquids such as water. For example, an air pump can be added to the container in order to supply a constant fresh air supply to the (standing) water supply. An air release valve can also be added onto the top or lid of the storage container to prevent pressure from building up inside it. Additionally an electro-mechanically driven agitation device can be added inside the container to move liquid throughout the container while it is being stored and thereby assist in preventing stagnation.
Liquid temperature is sometimes difficult to maintain in work locations lacking heat. The addition of a heater to the container can help keep the liquid contained therein at a comfortable temperature for its potential use in the event of an emergency. A heater can include electrically powered heating coils submersed in the liquid containing area of the container, or heating element can be embedded in or mounted to the container housing itself. Facility, batter and solar power sources can be used to provide power to any heater or agitator that may be used with the present system. A controller can also be used to manage the heater and agitator.
The entire shower system can include the use of a metal rack that can stand alone, or be secured to the floor and the walls of the emergency washing and decontamination area. The emergency rack, supported container and washing hardware should provi
Grassmyer David Glenn
Terek Johnny Joseph
Army & Air Force Exchange Service
Lopez Kermit D.
Nguyen Tuan N.
Ortiz Luis M.
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