Laboratory Solutions & Emergency Shower FAQ
BROEN-LAB solutions cover laboratory fittings, emergency shower systems and eye wash stations used in regulated and safety-critical environments.
Below you will find answers to common technical and compliance-related questions regarding installation, performance requirements, standards and best practice, across both laboratory solutions and Emergency Safety Shower applications.
Laboratory Solutions
How can laboratory design improve safety and efficiency?
Laboratory design can improve safety and efficiency by making the workspace easier to use, easier to adapt and easier to maintain.
In a well-designed laboratory, users should have safe and logical access to the media they need – such as water, special water, gases or vacuum – without unnecessary movement, unclear connections or difficult operation. The layout should support the work being performed, not slow it down.
Good laboratory design can improve everyday work by:
- placing taps, valves, regulators and outlets where users actually need them
- making media easy to identify and operate correctly
- reducing unnecessary movement between workstations
- making service and maintenance easier
- supporting safe handling of different media
- allowing future adjustments when laboratory needs change
- reducing downtime when components need to be serviced or replaced
At BROEN-LAB, we design laboratory fittings and solutions for professional laboratory environments where flexibility, durability and reliable operation are important. Our laboratory solutions include taps, valves, regulators, eye showers for sinks, extraction equipment, waste systems and installation accessories for modern laboratory installations.
Small design choices can have a large effect on daily performance. The position of a valve, the type of connector, the choice of surface treatment or the way media are identified can influence how safely and efficiently people work in the laboratory.
For example, clear media identification helps users distinguish between different media quickly and safely. Flexible connectors and modular connection systems can make it easier to adapt or upgrade the laboratory when work processes change. Service valves can make local maintenance easier, because parts of the installation can be serviced without disrupting more of the laboratory than necessary.
The best laboratory design is based on the actual work processes, the media required, the users’ daily routines and the long-term needs of the facility. When these elements are considered early, the laboratory becomes easier to operate, easier to maintain and better prepared for future changes.
How do you choose the correct laboratory configuration?
The correct laboratory configuration should be based on the work being performed, the media required and how the laboratory needs to operate over time.
Start by identifying the practical requirements of each workstation:
- which media are needed, such as water, special water, gases or vacuum
- where taps, valves, regulators and outlets should be placed
- whether the installation is bench-mounted, wall-mounted, suspended or integrated into furniture
- which pressure levels, purity levels or mounting options are required
- how users move between workstations
- how often the setup may need to be adapted or expanded
- how the installation will be serviced and maintained
A good configuration should make daily work easier and reduce unnecessary complexity. Users should be able to access the right media in the right place, operate the fittings safely and identify connections clearly.
At BROEN-LAB, we design laboratory fittings and connection systems for professional laboratories where flexibility, durability and reliable operation are important. Our product range includes taps, valves, regulators, hoses, pipes and installation accessories for modern laboratory installations.
In many projects, the right configuration is not a single product choice. It is a combination of components that need to work together as one system. This is why factors such as connection type, media identification, mounting method, service access and future adaptability should be considered early in the planning process.
BROEN-LAB UniFlex™ Connection is developed to support flexible laboratory configurations. It allows different connection methods, such as hoses, copper pipes, PEX pipes and stainless steel pipes, without changing the valve itself. This can help installers and end users adapt the laboratory setup more easily when requirements change.
The best configuration is usually the one that fits the real use of the laboratory – not only the drawing. A teaching laboratory, pharmaceutical laboratory, R&D facility or quality control area may all need different combinations of taps, valves, regulators, outlets and connection systems.
If the exact configuration is not obvious, it is important to clarify the media, pressure level, mounting type and installation environment before choosing the final product setup. BROEN-LAB can support this process with technical guidance, specifications and product documentation.
What is BROEN-LAB UniFlex™?
BROEN-LAB UniFlex™ is a modular connection system with a double sealing (O-ring + conical shape of metal sealing) for laboratory fittings.
It allows laboratory taps, valves and outlets to be connected using different connection methods, such as hoses, copper pipes, PEX pipes or stainless steel pipes, without changing the valve itself.
The purpose of UniFlex™ is to make laboratory installations more flexible, easier to configure and easier to adapt over time. In practice, this can help when a laboratory layout changes, when fittings need to be serviced, or when different media connections must be planned within the same laboratory environment.
UniFlex™ is used across several laboratory media applications, including water, special water, technical gases, burning gases and vacuum, depending on the selected fitting and installation requirements. BROEN-LAB also provides technical support material and installation guidance for UniFlex™ connections, hoses and compression fittings.
The main advantage is that the same fitting concept can support different installation needs. This gives installers and laboratory planners more flexibility while helping to reduce unnecessary complexity in laboratory service systems.
For laboratories, UniFlex™ is especially relevant where installations need to be durable, maintainable and adaptable to future changes.
When is an emergency shower required in a laboratory?
An emergency shower is required in a laboratory when there is a realistic risk that a person’s body, face, or eyes may be exposed to hazardous substances that require immediate rinsing.
This is usually relevant in laboratories where people work with chemicals, corrosive substances, hazardous liquids, harmful dust, biological agents, or processes where accidental splashes or contamination may occur.
The decision should be based on a workplace-specific risk assessment. Important factors include:
- which substances are handled in the laboratory
- whether exposure could affect the body, eyes or face
- where the risk zones are located
- how many people work in each area
- how quickly a person can reach emergency equipment
- whether the exposure risk is linked to daily work, cleaning, filling, mixing, transfer or maintenance tasks
- whether local regulations or internal safety standards require a specific emergency shower setup
As a practical rule, if a laboratory activity creates a risk of harmful exposure to the body or eyes, suitable emergency rinsing equipment should be available close to the work area.
In the United States, OSHA states that where the eyes or body may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing must be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.
For laboratories, the right solution may be an eye shower, face and eye shower, body shower, or a combination shower, depending on the type of risk. A small splash risk to the eyes may require a different solution than a full-body chemical exposure risk.
At BROEN-LAB, we develop Emergency Shower Systems and Eye Wash Systems for laboratories and industrial environments where fast response, reliable operation and correct placement are critical.
Emergency shower planning should also take relevant standards into account, such as EN 15154 and ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, depending on the country, application and installation environment.
BROEN-LAB recommends operating in compliance with the applicable standard in the geographical area where the equipment is installed.
Which product is used to control gas flow in a laboratory?
Gas flow in a laboratory is typically controlled using a gas valve or gas regulator, depending on the type of gas, the required level of control, and the laboratory installation.
For simple on/off control, a laboratory gas valve is used to open or close the gas supply at the workbench, fume cupboard or service outlet. Where the gas pressure or flow needs to be reduced, stabilized or adjusted more precisely before use, a gas regulator is used.
The correct product depends on the gas type, required pressure or flow range, connection method, safety requirements, and the equipment connected to the laboratory gas supply.
Why is colour coding used on laboratory fittings?
Colour coding helps laboratory users quickly identify which medium a tap, valve or regulator controls. With water, gases, vacuum and other services often installed close together, clear identification reduces the risk of operating the wrong fitting.
BROEN-LAB laboratory fittings comply with EN 13792 in Europe and SEFA 7-2021 in the USA, supporting clear and consistent identification of laboratory media.
Colour coding supports safer operation, easier maintenance and troubleshooting. It should be used alongside correct labelling, installation, training and local safety procedures.
Safety Solutions
What is an emergency shower?
An emergency shower is a safety system designed to provide immediate flushing of hazardous substances from the body or eyes after exposure to chemicals, hazardous liquids, biological agents or other dangerous materials. It can also extinguish fire in clothing and cool the skin.
Emergency showers are commonly used in:
- laboratories
- pharmaceutical facilities
- chemical industries
- food and beverage production
- hospitals and educational institutions
- industrial processing environments
- recycling and waste-water facilities
Their purpose is to reduce the severity of injuries by providing fast decontamination before further medical treatment is available.
Emergency shower solutions are developed to help companies protect both employee safety and corporate reputation by ensuring fast and effective emergency response in compliance with recognized standards such as EN 15154 and ANSI Z358.1.
Emergency shower systems are typically installed in environments where there is a risk of:
- chemical splashes
- corrosive substances
- hazardous liquids
- contamination incidents
- thermal exposure
- dangerous laboratory or production processes
Depending on the workplace and risk assessment, an emergency shower solution may include:
- body showers
- eyewash stations
- combined shower and eyewash units
- mobile emergency showers
- heated or insulated emergency showers for outdoor environments
Emergency shower systems should provide:
- correct water flow and spray dispersion
- intuitive operation during emergencies
- fast accessibility
- clear signage and visibility
- reliable operation through maintenance and testing programmes
BROEN-LAB also provides assessment, testing and service concepts designed to help customers evaluate whether their emergency shower systems meet applicable safety and compliance requirements.
These standards and requirements typically define factors related to:
- water flow
- accessibility
- activation
- water temperature
- testing procedures
- operational functionality
What is the main purpose of an emergency shower?
The main purpose of an emergency shower is to rinse the body immediately in case of chemical exposure or contamination, extinguish fire in clothing and cool the skin.
When hazardous substances come into contact with the skin or clothing, fast rinsing can help limit the severity of injury while further medical or safety procedures are initiated.
Emergency showers are therefore placed in areas where there is a risk of exposure to chemicals, corrosive substances, or other hazardous materials.
An emergency shower should be easy to access, simple to activate and suitable for the risks present in the specific workplace environment.
What is the difference between an emergency shower and a safety shower?
In many workplaces, the terms emergency shower and safety shower are used to describe the same type of emergency equipment: a shower designed to rinse hazardous substances from the body after accidental exposure.
The difference is mainly in how the terms are used.
“Safety shower” is often used as a general term for emergency rinsing equipment in laboratories, production areas and industrial workplaces.
“Emergency shower” is often used as the more specific product and safety category, especially when referring to equipment designed for immediate use after exposure to chemicals, hazardous liquids, dust, heat or other harmful substances.
In practice, both terms may refer to equipment such as:
- body showers
- eye/face showers or hand-held eye showers
- combination showers
- recessed emergency showers
- mobile or portable emergency showers
- heated or frost-protected emergency showers for outdoor environments
The important point is not the wording alone, but whether the selected solution matches the actual risk in the workplace.
A body shower may be needed where there is a risk of full-body exposure. An eye or face shower may be needed where splashes can affect the eyes or face. In many laboratories and industrial areas, a combination shower may be the right choice because it supports rinsing of both the body and the eyes or face.
At BROEN-LAB, we use Emergency Shower Systems as the product category for our range of emergency showers and eyewash solutions. The range is developed for laboratory and industrial environments where fast response, reliable operation and correct installation are critical.
BROEN-LAB emergency shower and eyewash solutions are designed to support compliance with relevant international standards such as EN 15154 and ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, depending on the product type, installation environment and application.
How do you choose the right emergency shower system?
Choosing the right emergency shower system starts with the actual risk in the workplace.
The most important question is not simply which shower to install, but what kind of exposure the system must protect against. A laboratory, pharmaceutical production area, chemical facility or outdoor industrial site may all require different emergency shower configurations.
A good starting point is to assess:
- which hazardous substances are handled
- whether the risk is to the body, face, eyes or all three
- where people work in relation to the hazard
- whether the installation is indoor or outdoor
- whether frost, heat or weather conditions affect the installation
- whether a fixed or mobile solution is required
- how the shower will be tested, serviced and documented over time
For some workplaces, a body shower may be sufficient. In other cases, the right solution may be a combination shower with an integrated eye or face wash, a handheld eye shower, a mobile unit, or a heated emergency shower for exposed outdoor environments.
At BROEN-LAB, we develop emergency shower solutions for laboratory and industrial environments where employee safety, fast response and reliable operation are critical.
Our range includes body showers, eye showers, face and eye showers, combination showers, handheld units, mobile emergency showers and heated or insulated solutions for more demanding environments.
The final choice should be based on a workplace-specific assessment. This helps ensure that the emergency shower is placed correctly, can be activated quickly, provides the required flushing performance and supports applicable safety requirements such as EN 15154, ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 and relevant local standards, depending on the installation environment and application.
BROEN-LAB also provides assessment, testing and service concepts to help customers evaluate their current emergency shower setup and identify whether it meets applicable safety and compliance requirements.
This is especially relevant when planning a new facility, upgrading existing equipment or creating a common safety standard across multiple sites.
How long must an emergency shower provide water?
Both EN 15154 and ANSI Z358.1 require continuous flow for a minimum of 15 minutes. Depending on the type of emergency shower, local conditions and the risk assessment, a minimum flowrate is recommended, either 30, 60 or 100 liters per minute (EN 15154).
What is the ideal water temperature for emergency showers?
The ideal water temperature in emergency showers is tepid water, with 20–25°C generally considered ideal. According to EN 15154, the water temperature should be kept between 15°C and 37°C.
This matters because emergency showers may need to be used long enough to flush hazardous substances from the body.
Too hot water can increase the risk of scalding, while water that is too cold can reduce the user’s ability to complete the flushing process and may increase the risk of hypothermia.
Keeping the water within the correct temperature range helps support effective emergency flushing without creating additional harm. The final water temperature solution should always reflect the product type, installation environment, water supply conditions, risk assessment and applicable local requirements.
What is “tepid water” in an emergency shower system?
Tepid water is typically defined as water between 15–37°C to avoid hypothermia or thermal shock.
When is a heated emergency shower required?
Heated units are required when ambient temperatures risk freezing or when water temperature cannot be maintained within standard limits.
What is EN 15154?
EN 15154 is the European standard series for emergency safety showers and eyewash units used in workplaces where there is a risk of exposure to hazardous substances.
The purpose of the standard is to help ensure that emergency showers and eyewash units provide effective first aid by flushing contaminants quickly from the body, eyes or face.
In practice, this means that the equipment must be correctly selected, positioned, activated, supplied with suitable water and maintained so it can function when needed.
EN 15154 is divided into several parts covering different types of emergency equipment:
- EN 15154-1: Plumbed-in body showers for laboratories.
- EN 15154-2: Plumbed-in eyewash units.
- EN 15154-3: Non-plumbed-in body showers.
- EN 15154-4: Non-plumbed-in eyewash units.
- EN 15154-5: Plumbed-in body showers for sites other than laboratories, including production and logistics sites.
For laboratories, EN 15154-1 and EN 15154-2 are typically the most relevant parts. EN 15154-1 covers plumbed-in body showers in laboratory facilities, while EN 15154-2 covers plumbed-in eyewash units.
For sites other than laboratories, EN 15154-5 is more commonly relevant. This part is associated with plumbed-in body showers in areas such as production and logistics environments.
Key areas covered by EN 15154 include:
- Correct placement and accessibility so emergency equipment can be reached quickly and without obstacles.
- Sufficient water flow and spray pattern to support effective flushing (15 minutes minimum rinse time for emergency showers).
- Tepid water supply, because water that is too cold or too hot can make it difficult for the user to complete the flushing process (Ideally between 15–37 °C, recommended: 20–25 °C).
- Clear visibility and intuitive operation so equipment can be found and activated under stress.
- Regular testing and documentation to help ensure that the installation continues to function as intended over time.
EN 15154 should be considered together with the site-specific risk assessment, the hazardous substances handled, the location of risk zones, the number of people exposed, access conditions, water supply, testing routines and applicable local regulations.
What standards apply to emergency eyewash and shower systems?
The standards that apply to emergency eyewash and shower systems depend on the country, the type of equipment, and the installation environment.
The two standards most often used as reference points are:
- EN 15154 – commonly used in Europe
- ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 – commonly used in the United States and often referenced internationally
In practice, these standards help define how emergency showers and eyewash systems should perform when someone has been exposed to hazardous substances.
They cover practical safety factors such as water flow, water distribution, activation, accessibility, signage, water quality, water temperature, testing, and maintenance.
BROEN-LAB recommends that emergency shower systems are operated in compliance with the standard that applies in the geographical area where the equipment is installed.
The relevant standard also depends on the equipment type. A body shower, eye shower, eye/face shower, combination shower, hand-held eye shower or frost-protected outdoor shower may have different requirements depending on the application and installation conditions.
At BROEN-LAB, we develop emergency shower and eyewash solutions designed to support compliance with relevant international standards such as EN 15154 and ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, depending on the product type, installation environment and application.
Standards are important, but they should not be used in isolation. The correct solution should also be based on the actual risk in the laboratory or facility, including the substances handled, the location of risk zones, the number of people working in the area, and how quickly emergency equipment can be reached.
BROEN-LAB supports this process through product documentation, technical guidance, service, assessment, and commissioning. This helps customers evaluate whether their emergency shower and eyewash systems are correctly selected, installed, tested, and maintained over time.
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