In an effort to establish minimum performance and use requirements for emergency eyewash and shower equipment, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) created industry standard ANSI Z358.1 in 1981. This comprehensive guideline offers specific parameters for the appropriate design, installation, performance, certification, use and maintenance of emergency eyewash and shower safety equipment across a range of industries.

To keep up with changing environments and safety interpretations, ANSI Z358.1 was revised in 1990, 1998, 2004, 2009 and most recently, 2014. The latest revisions outline minor new specifications for the design, manufacture and installation of emergency showers, the location and accessibility of safety equipment installations and adjusted measurements.