How is battery room compliance interpreted?

Battery room compliance can be interpreted differently depending on your battery type, amount of cells or multi-cell units in a common area, volume of electrolyte and voltage present. Although the code is specific about requirements, the local interpretation can vary depending on the end users experience or awareness.

How should batteries be maintained?

Batteries should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and IEEE-1188 best practices. Approved devices should be used to measure and trend parameters to avoid a thermal runaway condition.

Do you need a sign for a stationary battery system?

IFC 608.7; NPFA 52.3.8 Approved signs are required for Entrances to rooms and buildings with stationary battery systems of all technologies. Signs need to state the room has “energized battery systems, energized electrical circuits, the battery electrolyte solutions, where present are corrosive liquids.”

How do I certify a battery rack for IBC 2012?

In order to meet IBC 2012, the battery rack needs to have an established SDS Level for different site classes and z/h factors, stamped drawings by a PE identifying racks as IBC 2012 certified and a certification letter(s) identifying IBC Certification and SDS Levels.

Should a battery system be shrouded?

If batteries are not in a cabinet, covers or shields should be in place to protect employees and workers from dangerous voltage. Parts of the battery system that should be shrouded include terminal plates, inter-cell connectors and any other point in the system greater than 50 volts.

Which parts of a battery system should be shrouded?

Parts of the battery system that should be shrouded include terminal plates, inter-cell connectors and any other point in the system greater than 50 volts. With the adoption of IBC 2012 & IBC 2015 in many states, racks must meet the new seismic requirements stated in the building code.