ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment: what it requires and the equipment it names
ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 is the emergency eyewash and shower standard. OSHA's rule, 29 CFR 1910.151(c), requires suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing wherever corrosives are used and leaves "suitable" to the standard, which OSHA's letters of interpretation and Cal/OSHA §5162 rely on: flow, duration, water temperature, distance and testing. We sell nationwide; ships in 1–2 business days; most orders arrive in 3–7 business days.
The plain answer
ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 is the American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment. 29 CFR 1910.151(c) requires suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body within the work area wherever eyes or body may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials; OSHA's letters of interpretation refer employers to Z358.1 for what suitable means, and Cal/OSHA §5162 incorporates the standard directly.
As the manufacturers' brochures and the Cal/OSHA section state it, the standard requires a plumbed or self-contained eyewash to deliver at least 0.4 gallons per minute of tepid flushing fluid (60 to 100 °F, 16 to 38 °C) for 15 minutes to both eyes at once, with nozzles 33 to 53 inches above the floor and 6 inches from any obstruction, hands-free operation within one second that stays on; an eye and face wash to deliver 3 gallons per minute; and a shower 20 gallons per minute for 15 minutes with the head 82 to 96 inches up. Equipment is within 10 seconds of the hazard (about 55 feet) on the same level with no obstructions, lit and signed; plumbed units are activated weekly and self-contained units inspected weekly, with an annual inspection against the standard; personal eyewash bottles and drench hoses are supplementary and do not replace a station.
The equipment it names is plumbed eyewash stations, self-contained (gravity-fed) eyewash stations, eye and face washes, drench showers and combination units, drench hoses, personal eyewash bottles, and the refills, preservatives and heaters that keep a self-contained unit within the standard.
What the rule says
Each entry is condensed from the paragraph cited; the paragraph itself is the rule and the link opens it.
29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body are provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.
29 CFR 1926.50(g): The construction rule carries the same sentence.
OSHA letters of interpretation on 1910.151(c): OSHA states that it refers to ANSI Z358.1 as a source of guidance on the design, placement and maintenance of eyewash and shower equipment, and that personal eyewash bottles may supplement but not replace a plumbed or self-contained unit where corrosives are present.
29 CFR 1910.1200 and the safety data sheet: Section 8 of a chemical's safety data sheet names the eye and body flushing facilities the manufacturer calls for, which with the hazard assessment decides where a station is required.
Source: 29 CFR, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as published by OSHA (ecfr.gov), read Nov 9 2026.
What the standard requires, as Cal/OSHA §5162 and the manufacturers publish it
Eyewash: delivers at least 0.4 gallons per minute (1.5 liters) for 15 minutes to both eyes simultaneously, with a controlled flow that does not injure the eyes, nozzles protected from contamination (covers that come off as the unit activates), nozzle height 33 to 53 inches above the floor and at least 6 inches from the nearest wall or obstruction, a valve that opens in one second or less and stays open without the use of hands. Eye and face wash: at least 3 gallons per minute for 15 minutes.
Showers: at least 20 gallons per minute for 15 minutes, with the spray head 82 to 96 inches above the floor and a spray pattern at least 20 inches across at 60 inches, the valve actuator no more than 69 inches up, operable in one second and staying open. Combination units deliver both at once.
Tepid water: flushing fluid between 60 and 100 °F (16 to 38 °C), which for plumbed units means a thermostatic mixing valve and for self-contained units a heater or insulated location; the manufacturers' heated and insulated units are built for this.
Location, signage and testing: within 10 seconds of the hazard on the same level (the standard's appendix equates this to about 55 feet), with a clear path and the area lit and marked with a highly visible sign; plumbed units activated weekly to verify flow and flush the line; self-contained units inspected weekly and maintained per the manufacturer (fluid changed on the schedule stated, or with a preservative); every unit inspected annually against the standard. Personal eyewash bottles and drench hoses are supplementary equipment that supports, and may not replace, a plumbed or self-contained unit (also stated in Cal/OSHA §5162(a)).
Source: Cal/OSHA Title 8 §5162 (dir.ca.gov, fetched Nov 9 2026); PIP, "Fendall Pure Flow 1000 Brochure" (pages 3–5: ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 flow and placement statements); manufacturers' statements on each product page (Fendall, Eyesaline, Haws, Guardian Equipment, Bradley, First Aid Only); OSHA letters of interpretation on 1910.151(c); our guides on OSHA eyewash station requirements and emergency showers.
California (Cal/OSHA)
Each entry is condensed from the paragraph cited; the paragraph itself is the rule and the link opens it.
Title 8 §5162(a)-(b): Plumbed or self-contained eyewash equipment meeting ANSI Z358.1 at all work areas where eyes may contact a corrosive, severely irritating or permanently damaging substance or one toxic by absorption; water hoses, sink faucets and showers are not acceptable eyewash facilities; personal eyewash units and drench hoses may support but not replace them; an emergency shower where the body may be exposed.
Title 8 §5162(c)-(e): Within 10 seconds of the injured person, both usable at once by one person, the area kept clear; potable water at the ANSI flow rates and durations with a stay-open valve operable in one second; plumbed units activated weekly, self-contained units maintained per the manufacturer; inspected annually.
Source: California Code of Regulations, Title 8, as published by Cal/OSHA (dir.ca.gov), read Nov 9 2026.
Equipment the rule names
| Equipment or condition | What the rule requires | Paragraph |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbed or self-contained eyewash | 0.4 gpm for 15 minutes, both eyes; nozzles 33 to 53 in high; hands-free stay-open valve | Z358.1 as the manufacturers state it; Cal/OSHA §5162 |
| Eye and face wash | 3 gpm for 15 minutes | Z358.1 as stated |
| Drench shower | 20 gpm for 15 minutes; head 82 to 96 in | Z358.1 as stated |
| Tepid flushing fluid | 60 to 100 °F; mixing valve or heated self-contained unit | Z358.1 as stated; Cal/OSHA §5162(d) |
| Location | Within 10 seconds (about 55 ft) on the same level; clear path; lit and signed | Z358.1 as stated; Cal/OSHA §5162(c) |
| Weekly activation; annual inspection | Plumbed units run weekly; self-contained inspected weekly; all inspected annually | Z358.1 as stated; Cal/OSHA §5162(e) |
| Personal eyewash bottle, drench hose | Supplementary only; may not replace a station | Z358.1 as stated; Cal/OSHA §5162(a) |
Source: 29 CFR, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as published by OSHA (ecfr.gov), read Nov 9 2026.
What we carry for it
Each table lists products whose manufacturer data states the rating or the standard the rule names, every brand we carry that does, with the current price. Sizes and versions are chosen on the product page. The selector linked under each table holds every item of that type.
Eyewash stations whose manufacturers cite ANSI/ISEA Z358.1
More: every eyewash station, refill and bottle.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Self-contained gravity-fed stations and heated units
More: every self-contained station.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Refills, preservative and cartridges
More: every refill and part.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Personal eyewash bottles (supplementary)
More: every bottle and wall station.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Guides that go further
OSHA eyewash station requirements · Eyewash station · Are eyewash bottles · Emergency showers · OSHA first aid kit requirements · OSHA 1910.151, the rule behind eyewash and first aid.
ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment questions
What are the ANSI Z358.1 eyewash requirements? As Cal/OSHA §5162 and the manufacturers state the standard: at least 0.4 gallons per minute of tepid (60 to 100 °F) flushing fluid for 15 minutes to both eyes, nozzles 33 to 53 inches above the floor and 6 inches from obstructions, a hands-free valve that opens in one second and stays open, placed within 10 seconds of the hazard on the same level with a clear path and a sign, activated weekly if plumbed, inspected weekly if self-contained and annually either way.
Do eyewash stations require hot water? They require tepid water, which the standard defines as 60 to 100 °F (16 to 38 °C), because 15 minutes of cold water drives people to stop flushing early and hot water aggravates a chemical injury. A plumbed station gets there with a thermostatic mixing valve; a self-contained unit uses a heater, insulation or an indoor location; Cal/OSHA §5162(d) requires the ANSI temperature.
Which portable eyewash stations are accepted by OSHA? OSHA names no products; 1910.151(c) requires suitable drenching facilities and OSHA's interpretations point to Z358.1. A self-contained gravity-fed station that its manufacturer states delivers 0.4 gallons per minute for 15 minutes with the standard's nozzle height and valve meets that description; a personal bottle does not, since it holds seconds of flow and the standard calls it supplementary.
What are the requirements for an eyewash station inspection? Weekly activation of plumbed units to confirm flow and clear the supply line, weekly inspection of self-contained units with fluid changed or preserved per the manufacturer, and an annual inspection of every unit against the standard's performance figures, as Cal/OSHA §5162(e) also requires; an inspection tag on the unit is how manufacturers and inspectors record it.
How far away can an eyewash station be? Within 10 seconds of the hazard, which the standard's guidance treats as about 55 feet of unobstructed travel on the same level, with the door (if any) opening in the direction of travel and no stairs; where a strong acid or caustic is used, the manufacturers describe placing the unit immediately adjacent.
Is a sink or a hose an acceptable eyewash? No. Cal/OSHA §5162(a) says water hoses, sink faucets and showers are not acceptable eyewash facilities, and the standard's eyewash requires a controlled dual-stream flow with a stay-open valve at the set height; OSHA's interpretations of 1910.151(c) take the same position for corrosive exposures.
The ratings, test results and standards shown here are the manufacturers' published values, reproduced as published. Nothing on this page is a recommendation by Bayshore Safety that any product is suitable for a particular task, hazard or workplace. Selecting safety products and protective equipment is the responsibility of the end user and the employer, based on their own hazard assessment and the regulations that apply to their work. Confirm every value on the manufacturer's own documentation before use.