Must:

- wash both eyes simultaneously (splashes rarely occur in just one eye)

- be tested to be sure that the water streams will wash both eyes

- have at least 15 minutes of water flow

- have gentle, but continuous flow

- be flushed for 5 minutes each week to remove contaminants, especially those that cause encephalitis

- must be potable (drinkable) water

- be permanent

- operate so that both hands can be free so victim can hold eyelids open

- be w/in 25 ft. of any lab station (This may mean that more than 1 is needed in a lab.)

Adapters are available to retrofit onto a faucet.

NOTE: Eyewash squeeze bottles do not meet these requirements because they do not wash both eyes, are easily contaminated (both accidently & on purpose), do not have 15 min. of flow capacity, nor leave both hands free.