Q: What is so significant about Sterile Solution? By definition, Sterile means free from living microorganisms and bacteria, especially those that can cause disease and further harm to an already injured or compromised eye.
Essentially, there are no contaminants, no minerals, no scale, no living microorganisms, no rust, no chlorine and no irritants as a result of the sterilization process. The solution remains 100% Sterile; until the injured eye needs it!
Q: How is Sterile different from purified? Aren't they the same? No,they are not the same. Purified solution is devoid of minerals and trace elements while sterile solution is devoid of all living bacteria. Therefore, sterile solution provides unmatched safety for emergency eye flushing since it contains no living microorganisms or bacteria that can cause infection. It's safe; simple; sterile!
Q: Is Sterile Solution a requirement? Interestingly enough, the FDA is moving towards finalizing a requirment which will mandate Sterile flushing solution for all portable emergency eyewash stations. However, this is a pending change that has not yet been enacted. The new requirement is expected soon. Sperian is ahead of the industry curve to ensure that we are prepared prior to the regulatory order.
Q: Which eyewash station(s) are available with Sterile Solution? We are very proud to offer two superior systems with Sterlie Solution! The brand-new Fendall 2000 has a Sterile delivery system from start to finish. We also have a Sterile cartridge option for the Fendall Pure Flow 1000® that has been a trusted product in the market for over 10 years! Both options come with Sterile sealed-fluid cartridge bags and a Sterile delivery system that remains intact until the point of activation. The brochures included with you launch package have the associated part numbers and details that you will need to share with your distributor.
Q: How do I determine my emergency eyewash requirements? OSHA Regulations: “Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive chemicals, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.”
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): The MSDS for every chemical used in your facility provides information about that chemical’s potential health hazards. The MSDS also contains emergency and first aid procedures to follow immediately after exposure, until medical help arrives.
Q: What information is available to assist in determining if a chemical is a hazard to the eye and the appropriate first aid requirements for that hazard? Employers are required to identify and evaluate all chemicals used in the workplace. The supplier of each chemical must provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which will provide first aid information.
Q: Who enforces the eyewash station requirement? OSHA enforces the eyewash standard, which is determined by ANSI.
Q: What are the most common eye injury areas that require eyewash stations?
Painting Operations and Solvents
Battery Charging Stations
Hazardous Chemical Storage
Tool Parts Washers
Chemical Pumping or Mixing Areas
Laboratories
Q: What are the different types of emergency eyewash units?
Plumbed: Permanently connected to a source of potable water.
Self-Contained, Gravity Fed: Contains its own flushing fluid.
Self-Contained, Pressurized Units: Pressurized from an external source for mobility/portability.
Q: How close to the hazard must I place a primary, 15-minute eyewash station? The Z358.1 – 2004 Standard states “eyewash units shall be in accessible locations that require no more than 10 seconds to reach.” It must be on the same level as the hazard.
Q: How far off the floor should a self-contained 15-minute eyewash station be? The nozzles should be no less than 33” and no more than 45” off the floor.
Q: What flow rate is required in a primary eyewash station? A minimum of 0.4 gallons per minute for at least 15 minutes.
Q: What temperature does the standard recommend for eyewash station fluid? The standard recommends a tepid flushing fluid. Tepid is defined as moderately warm or lukewarm with a range of 60º F to 90º F. Temperatures in excess of 100º F can enhance chemical interaction with the eyes and skin.
Q: What happens if eyewash solution freezes? The salt will separate from the solution and it may no longer be used.
Q: What is the maintenance recommendation for Fend-all eyewash stations?
PureFlow 1000®: Change cartridges when they expire (24 months from date of manufacture.)
Eyesaline® Concentrate: Change fluid and clean station every 6 months – A cleaning kit 32-000518-0000 is available.
Fendall Water Additive: Change fluid and clean station every 4 months – A cleaning kit 32-000518-0000 is available.
Water Only: Change fluid and clean station at least once a week.
Q: How do you properly clean an eyewash station when replacing the solution? Rinse the unit with clean tap water, agitate thoroughly then invert the station until the water is drained. Partially fill the unit with tap water and allow it to drain through the eyewash nozzles.
After the unit has been rinsed, it is OK to use a commercial disinfectant such as Lysol or a solution of 1 oz. bleach and 2 gallons of water. Allow this solution to drain through the eyewash nozzles. Rinse thoroughly.
Q: How often do you need to flush a plumbed-in eyewash fixture? Weekly.
Q: Are my contact lenses safe after an eye flush with Eyesaline? Not for use with contact lenses. Please remove lenses prior to use.
Q: What are personal/secondary eyewash devices, and what are their applications? The ANSI Standard defines personal eyewash as “a supplementary eyewash that supports plumbed units, self-contained units or both by delivering immediate flushing fluid.” A personal eyewash does not have the fluid capacity to flush both eyes and deliver that flushing fluid for the required rate of 0.4 gallons per minute for 15 minutes.
Q: What is the difference between the Fendall Water Additive and Eyesaline Concentrate? Eyesaline Concentrate creates a flushing fluid solution that is more compatible with the eye than water with an additive. Eyesaline Concentrate contains a special preservative and additives to provide a cost-effective solution for eyewash refills. When mixed in the proper ratio with potable (drinking) water, Eyesaline Concentrate provides a preserved, buffered, saline solution.
When mixed with potable water, Fend-all Water Additive provides a buffered solution for use in self-contained eyewash devices. Fend-all Water Additive mixed with water is cost-effective, but does not remove or ameliorate particulates. Fend-all Water Additive is non-toxic and non-irritating in the recommended concentration.
Q: The pH level of human tears is 7.4. What is the pH level of Eyesaline? The pH range of Eyesaline is 6.9 to 7.4.
Q: Can I use Eyesaline Concentrate or Fend-all Water Additive in a competitor’s product? Yes.
Q: What kind of replacement parts are available for Fend-all eyewash stations? Contact Customer Service at 1-800-FENDALL, Option #3 for a complete list of replacement parts.
Q: Can I use Eyesaline solutions after they expire? No. As a manufacturer, Fend-all stands behind its expiration date.
Q: How many gallons of fluid do the Pure Flow 1000® Eyesaline cartridges contain? Sold separately from the Pure Flow 1000®, the set contains 7 gallons total and 3.5 gallons each.
Q: What is the difference between Eyesaline Concentrate and Blow Filled Sealed Personal Eyewash bottles?
Eyesaline Concentrate is a purified process.
Eyesaline Personal Eyewash is a sterile process.
Q: Where can I get a Fend-all Installation Video and Improvement Kit? The video comes with all Pure Flow 1000 units is also be available on the Fend-all website as well as through Customer Service 1-800-FENDALL, Option #3.
The components of the kit are shipped with the Pure Flow 1000 units and cartridges in May 2004.
Q: What product information is available on the Fend-all website?
MSDS Sheets
Instruction Manuals
Product Numbers and Descriptions
Article Reprints
Q: Where can I find product dimensions and weights? In the ISG Price List, the Fend-all catalog, and website.
Q: Has the fill cap of the Porta Stream II changed? Yes, it was changed in October 2003. The cap is now made out of a softer material to eliminate the need for a vent cap. The new design has black plastic rivets instead of stainless.
Q: Why is there white residue on the Porta Stream pull strap? The white residue is salt. It usually means that the pull strap was not dried completely when the unit was maintained and the water evaporated. We recommend that the strap is wiped with alcohol to ensure that it is completely dry.
Q: What are the highlights of the ANSI Z358.1-2004 Standard? Deliver flushing fluid for 15 minutes
Eyewash shall be in accessible locations that require no more than 10 seconds to reach. The path of travel shall be free of obstructions
Each eyewash location shall be identified with a highly visible sign.
Delivered flushing fluid temperature shall be tepid.
All eyewash units shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Plumbed equipment shall be activated weekly to verify proper operation.
For more information, check out their website: www.ANSI.org
Q: What should I do if the nozzle(s) on my Porta Stream II unit will not stop leaking? Try to tighten the screws a few rounds. Do not fully tighten. If the Porta Stream II unit continues to leak, please contact customer service at 1-800-FENDALL, Option #3.
Q: What should I do if my Porta Stream II unit is leaking at the pull strap? Ensure that the inner pull strap and outer nozzle assembly are both thoroughly cleaned using the Eyewash Station Cleaning Kit (32-000518-000). For additional technical support, contact our customer service department at 1-800-FENDALL, Option #3.
Q: What do I do if my Pure Flow 1000® is not working? Check to ensure that the nozzles are installed correctly and that the platens are in contact with the bags in the cartridges. For additional technical support, contact our customer service department at 1-800-FENDALL, Option #3.
Q: Why is my Pure Flow 1000® leaking? Check to ensure that the tamper seal has not been broken or that the unit has not been accidentally activated. Both of these actions will activate a leakage in the unit. For technical support, contact our customer service department at 1-800-FENDALL, Option #3.
Q: What should I do if my Eyesaline Solution arrived frozen? Do not use if frozen. Contact our customer service department at 1-800-FENDALL, Option #3.
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