How to Set Up a Decontamination Shower on a Hazmat Job Site

June 16, 2026

Published by: DeconSafe Solutions | Category: Decontamination Showers | Reading time: ~9 min

Introduction

Setting up a decontamination shower correctly is not just about assembling the unit and turning on the water. The position of the shower relative to the containment zone, how it connects to your water treatment system, how the clean and dirty zones are defined, and how workers are expected to move through the decontamination process all affect whether the setup is genuinely effective or just compliant on paper.

Get it right and your crew moves in and out of the hazardous zone safely, contamination stays contained, and you have a defensible record if an inspector visits the site. Get it wrong and you risk asbestos fibre spread beyond the work area, regulatory breaches, and serious health consequences for workers and bystanders.

At DeconSafe Solutions, as the sole authorised reseller of Deconta Group products in Australia and New Zealand, we work closely with hazmat contractors to make sure their decontamination setups are both practical and compliant. This guide walks through how to set up a decontamination shower on a hazmat job site from start to finish.

Before You Start: What You Need on Site

Before the shower unit is even unpacked, you need to have the right supporting equipment and site conditions in place. A decontamination shower does not operate in isolation. It is one part of a broader decontamination system that includes containment, air management, water treatment, and PPE.

The core components you need before setting up your decon shower are:

A decontamination shower unit suited to the scale and type of project. If you have not yet selected the right unit for your site, the guide on how to choose the right decontamination shower for asbestos removal is a useful starting point. The SMART-LINE Personnel Lock System, SMART+ 1000, and ECO-LINE 1000 each suit different site types and crew sizes.

A water treatment system compatible with your decon shower. Contaminated wastewater must be captured and treated before disposal. Deconta decontamination showers integrate directly with the Deconta C110 and C130 water filtration systems. This is not optional on a licensed asbestos removal site in Australia.

A negative pressure unit (NPU) to maintain the containment zone under negative pressure, preventing airborne asbestos fibres from escaping into clean areas. DeconSafe Solutions supplies the full range of Deconta negative pressure units to suit different site configurations.

Full PPE for all workers entering the contaminated zone, including P2 or P3 respirators, disposable coveralls, gloves, and safety footwear. Our Personal Protective Equipment range covers everything needed for asbestos removal work.

Your site safety plan approved and reviewed. The decontamination setup must align with the procedures documented in your asbestos removal control plan.

Step 1: Select the Right Location for the Decontamination Shower

The placement of the decontamination shower determines how effective it is. The shower must sit at the boundary between the contaminated zone (dirty side) and the clean area (clean side), acting as the mandatory transition point for all workers exiting the hazardous work area.

Key placement considerations include:

Position the shower at the single exit point of the containment area. There should be no way for workers to exit the contaminated zone without passing through the decon shower. If the site layout makes this difficult, the shower placement needs to be revisited before work begins.

Allow enough clearance on both sides. Workers need space to enter the dirty side, move through the shower chamber, and exit cleanly on the other side without touching contaminated surfaces. Crowding around the entry or exit points defeats the purpose of the system.

Ensure a level, stable surface. Decon showers need to sit on a flat, stable base. An uneven surface creates drainage problems and can compromise the structural integrity of the unit over time, particularly on longer projects.

Consider access to water supply and drainage. Your decon shower needs a clean water supply and a connection to your water treatment system for wastewater capture. Plan these connections before you choose the final placement.

Keep the dirty side facing the containment area and the clean side facing the uncontaminated zone. This orientation must be consistent and clearly communicated to all workers before operations begin.

Step 2: Assemble the Decontamination Shower Unit

Assembly procedures vary between models, but all Deconta systems are designed for tool-free setup with minimal time on site. Here is a general overview of what assembly involves for each model type.

SMART-LINE Personnel Lock System: This foldable unit assembles in under five minutes without any tools. Unfold the unit, secure the frame, attach the shower tray and roof elements, connect the hand shower to the GEKA water connection, and check the door function before use. Its compact footprint makes it easy to position precisely at the containment boundary.

SMART+ 1000: The modular construction of this unit allows it to be configured for the specific site layout. Assemble the three chambers in sequence, connect the dual showers, check all joints and seals for integrity, and connect to the water supply and treatment system. The SMART+ is designed for high-traffic industrial sites and its 3-chamber, 2-shower layout gives workers a clear and defined decontamination sequence.

ECO-LINE 1000: As the most configurable unit in the range, the ECO-LINE assembly may involve additional chambers or custom configurations depending on project requirements. Follow the product documentation and connect the system to the Deconta C110 or C130 water filtration units.The aluminium corner profiles are fitted with toggle latches that secure the walls to the floor and roof sections, creating a rigid structure and ensuring excellent stability once assembled, even on long-term projects.

For all models, once assembly is complete, run water through the system and check all connections before any workers use the shower.

Step 3: Connect Your Water Treatment System

A decontamination shower on an asbestos removal site produces contaminated wastewater with every use. This water must not enter the stormwater drainage system. It must be captured, filtered, and disposed of correctly through an integrated three-stage wastewater filtration system (200 µm, 50 µm, and 1 µm), which provides progressive removal of particulate contaminants, helping ensure effective capture of hazardous materials generated during decontamination activities and supporting compliant wastewater management on site.

Connect your Deconta decon shower to the appropriate water treatment unit before operations begin. The Deconta C110 and C130 systems are designed to work in conjunction with Deconta decon showers and provide multi-stage filtration to remove asbestos particles from wastewater before it can be safely discharged or collected for disposal.

Check that all water connections are secure, that there are no leaks at the joints, and that the drainage from the shower is flowing correctly into the treatment system rather than onto the ground.

Step 4: Integrate with Your Negative Pressure Unit

The decontamination shower works in conjunction with the negative pressure unit that maintains the contaminated zone under negative pressure. Some Deconta decon shower models, including the SMART DOOR, feature air supply flaps that allow fresh air from outside to travel into the containment area, helping maintain adequate airflow for workers inside the zone.

Ensure that the NPU is operational and maintaining sufficient airflow to avoid air dead spots before any removal work begins. The shower acts as the final barrier between the contaminated zone and the clean area. The NPU is what keeps the contaminated zone under negative pressure during operations, preventing asbestos dust from escaping into clean areas. Both systems must be running correctly for the overall decontamination setup to be effective.

For more detail on how negative pressure units work in asbestos containment zones, see the DeconSafe blog post on negative air pressure rooms and their role in friable asbestos removal.

Step 5: Establish and Communicate the Decontamination Procedure

Setting up the physical system is only part of the job. Every worker on site needs to understand exactly how to use the decontamination shower correctly before work begins. A properly installed shower that workers use incorrectly does not provide effective decontamination.

The standard decontamination procedure for asbestos removal sites in Australia involves the following sequence:

Workers exiting the contaminated work zone enter the first chamber (dirty chamber), where they use the shower to thoroughly wet down their entire body while still wearing full PPE, suppressing any dust and fibres on the surface of their coveralls, gloves, and boots.

Moving into the second chamber (buffer chamber), workers remove all PPE carefully, folding coveralls inward to contain any fibres, and place everything into a labelled asbestos waste bag. No shower is present in this chamber.

Workers then enter the third chamber (clean chamber), where they take a full naked shower before exiting to the outside clean area.

All waste bags from the decontamination process are sealed and labelled correctly and disposed of as asbestos waste in accordance with Australian regulations.

Conduct a toolbox talk with all workers before operations begin to walk through this procedure step by step. Post a visible decontamination sequence guide at the shower entry point if the site allows for it.

Step 6: Conduct a Pre-Work Inspection

Before the first worker enters the contaminated zone, inspect the complete decontamination setup. Check the following:

The shower unit is correctly positioned at the containment boundary with no bypass routes available. All water connections are secure and flowing correctly to the treatment system. The NPU is operational and maintaining negative pressure in the containment zone. All workers have been briefed on the decontamination procedure. Waste bags and sealing materials are available at the shower exit. PPE is properly fitted and inspected for all workers entering the zone.

Document this pre-work inspection as part of your site safety records.

Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid

Placing the shower away from the direct exit of the containment zone. Any gap between the containment boundary and the shower entry creates a route for fibre spread. The shower entry must be directly connected to the containment exit.

Not connecting to a water treatment system. Running a decon shower without capturing and treating wastewater is a regulatory breach and an environmental risk.

Skipping the worker briefing. Physical setup without a clear decontamination procedure for workers is one of the most common reasons decon systems fail in practice.

Not testing the system before work begins. Always run water through the shower and check all connections before the first worker uses it.

Positioning the shower on uneven ground. This affects drainage, structural stability, and the clean/dirty zone separation. Take the time to find a level surface or create one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly should a decontamination shower be positioned on an asbestos removal site?

The shower must be positioned directly at the exit point of the contaminated work zone, acting as the mandatory transition between the dirty and clean sides. There should be no way to exit the containment area without passing through the shower. Placement should also account for access to water supply, drainage to a treatment system, and a stable, level surface.

How long does it take to set up a Deconta decontamination shower?

Setup time is broadly similar across all Deconta models. The SMART-LINE can actually take longer than the other units due to its simpler design and construction, while the SMART+ 1000 and ECO-LINE 1000 are engineered for efficient field assembly. Connecting to the water treatment system and NPU adds to the total setup time, so allow adequate time before the start of work.

Do I need a water treatment system connected to the decontamination shower?

Yes. On any licensed asbestos removal site, contaminated wastewater from the decon shower must be captured, filtered, and disposed of correctly. Deconta decon showers are designed to integrate with the C110 and C130 water filtration systems to provide a compliant solution.

Can one decontamination shower serve multiple entry and exit points on a large site?

No. Each exit point from the contaminated zone must have its own decontamination setup. Having workers use a single shower at a remote location from the containment exit creates a risk of fibre spread between the exit point and the shower. The shower must be at the boundary.

What happens if a worker skips the decontamination shower?

This is a serious safety and compliance breach. Asbestos fibres on clothing or skin can be carried into clean areas, vehicles, and homes, creating secondary exposure risks for the worker, their family, and anyone else in contact with contaminated surfaces. Workers skipping decontamination procedures should be stopped immediately and the incident documented.

How do I know if my decontamination shower setup is compliant with Australian regulations?

Your setup should align with Safe Work Australia's Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos and your state or territory's specific WHS regulations. If you are unsure, the team at DeconSafe Solutions can review your proposed setup and advise on any gaps. Get in touch with us here.

Final Thoughts

A decontamination shower is only as effective as the setup around it. Correct positioning, proper water treatment integration, a functioning negative pressure system, and a clearly understood decontamination procedure are all essential. The physical unit is the centre of the system, but everything around it has to work together.

If you need help selecting the right decon shower for your next project, configuring a complete decontamination setup, or accessing equipment through our hire division, the DeconSafe Solutions team is ready to assist.

Browse our full range of Decontamination Showers, or contact us to speak with a specialist.

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