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FIRST AID FOR ACID SPLASH
Eyes: Flush immediately with gently running water for at least
15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention. For contact
lens wearers, remove the lens before the eyes are flushed. A
buffering or neutralizing agent shouldn’t be used in the eyes
without the approval of medical or safety personnel.
Skin: Wash affected area under running water and apply a
chemical burn treatment. Severe burns require immediate
medical attention.
Clothing: If large areas of clothing have been splashed or soaked
with sulfuric acid, the clothing must be removed and the acid
must be treated with non-corrosive water based neutralizing
agent (ex: baking soda / water solution), that is user safe and
environmentally compliant. After treatment rinse with running
water. If clothing is treated immediately, chances of damage to
the material are lessened. Acid-resistant boots should always
be checked before wearing to be sure that there are no traces
of acid inside.
BATTERY LOCATION
When planning a battery system the following requirements should
be considered:
__ Space
__ Floor Preparation
__ Battery Racking System
__ Ventilation
__ Environment
__ Distance from Operating Equipment
__ Safety Equipment
Space
It is recommended that aisle space be provided in front of all bat-
tery racks be a minimum of 36.0” (915mm). The design should
meet all applicable local, state and federal codes and regulations.
Floor Preparation
It is recommended to consult with a structural engineer to
determine if the existing floor will withstand the weight of the
battery and the battery racking system. The floors in which the
battery will be located should have an acid-resistant coating
and be sloped toward a sump. Any battery spills should be neu-
tralized with non-corrosive, water based neutralizing chemical
(ex: baking soda / water solution) that is user safe and envi-
ronmentally compliant. The area should always be washed with
clean water to remove any acid neutralizing chemical residue.
Battery Racking System
The battery should not be installed directly on a floor. There
should be some type of barrier/racking between the floor and
the batteries. This barrier/racking should be sufficient to handle
the weight of the battery. The battery racking system must
be suitably insulated to prevent sparking and eliminate any
grounding paths.
Adequate space and accessibility for taking individual
cell voltage, hydrometer readings and adding water should be
considered. If installed in an earthquake seismic zone, battery
racking system must be of sufficient strength and anchoring.
Battery rack design should be reviewed by structural engineer.
Ventilation
It is the responsibility of the installer to provide detailed methods or
engineering design required by Federal, State and local regulations
to maintain safe levels of hydrogen in battery rooms / enclosures.
The rate of hydrogen evolution is highest when the battery
is on charge. Explosive mixtures of hydrogen in air are present
when the hydrogen concentration is greater than or equal to 4%
by volume. To provide a margin of safety, battery room / enclo-
sure must be ventilated to limit the accumulation of hydrogen
gas under all anticipated conditions. This margin of safety is reg-
ulated by Federal, State and Local codes and is typically limited
to 1 to 2% by volume of the battery room / enclosure. Consult
all applicable codes to determine specific margin of safety.
Hydrogen gas calculations can be determined by using proper
formulas.
Hydrogen gas is lighter than air and will accumulate, creating
pockets of gas in the ceiling. The ventilation system should be
designed to account for and eliminate this situation. Ventilation
system must be designed to vent to the outside atmosphere by
either natural or mechanical means in order to eliminate the
hydrogen from the battery room / enclosure.
Environment
Batteries should be located in a clean, cool and dry place
and isolated from outside elements. The selected area
should be free of any water, oil and dirt from accumulating on
the batteries.
Distance from Operating Equipment
Battery systems are sized based on a specific load (Amps
or Watts) for a specific run time to a specific end voltage.
Battery performance is based on these values, as measured at
the battery terminals.
For proper operation of the battery system the following should
be considered:
• Distance between battery system and operating systems
should be kept at the shortest distant possible
• Cables are to be of proper gauge to handle system loads and
minimize voltage drops.
• All cable lengths from battery system to operating system
should be of the same wire gauge and length.
The above is to ensure the battery cable used will be able to
carry the charge / discharge current & minimize the voltage drop
between equipment.
Electrical equipment should not be installed above the
batteries, because of the corrosive fumes being released from
the battery(s).
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Fire Suppression
Hand-operated fire extinguishes should be available in the
battery room even if the areas are equipped with automatic
sprinkler systems. For information on extinguisher class, size
and mounting locations, consult local fire authorities or your
insurance carrier.
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