Battery Room Design Requirements

This is about design requirements for vented lead acid batteries, battery rooms and
battery installations in main and unit substations and electrical equipment rooms.
It does not cover maintenance free or computer room type batteries and battery
cabinets. Main keywords for this article are Battery Room Design Requirements,
vented lead acid batteries, battery room safety requirements, Battery Room
Ventilation, unit substations electrical.

Battery Room References

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

484 Recommended Practice for Installation Design and Installation of Vented
Lead Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
70 National Electrical Code
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
29 CFR Safety and Health Regulations for Construction – Battery Rooms and
Battery Charging

Battery Room Design Requirements

Batteries can be hazardous to both personnel and equipment. The battery
installation shall be carefully designed to ensure the safety of personnel and
equipment, and to provide reliable operation of the battery and charging
equipment.
In high voltage main substations, vented lead acid batteries shall be installed in a
separate room, in accordance with Main Substation Design. Vented lead acid
batteries installed in medium voltage main substation buildings and unit
substations, electrical equipment rooms and control system rack rooms shall not
require a separate, dedicated battery room and shall be in accordance with SES
E14-S02.
 The battery room and installation shall comply with IEEE 484, NFPA 70 and
OSHA 29 CFR.

Location of Battery Room

o The battery shall be located as close as practical to the load. This will reduce the
cost and exposure of the dc distribution system.
o The battery room shall be located in a way that provides access for lifting
equipment to be used during initial installation and future maintenance operations.
o The location shall be as free from vibration as practical.
o The location shall be selected so as to protect the battery from flooding and other 
natural phenomena, and from fire and explosions in the operating areas.

Layout of Battery Room

o The overall dimensions of the battery room shall permit an orderly layout of the
battery rack(s). The racks shall be arranged to facilitate inspection, maintenance,
testing, and addition of water. Space shall be provided to allow for operation of
lifting equipment.
o The layout shall provide the working space required by NFPA 70 article 110.
o Locks shall be provided to restrict access to qualified persons, to comply with
NFPA  70 requirements for guarding of live parts.

Battery Room Architectural Requirements

Batteries are a concentrated load which might exceed allowable floor loading for
existing buildings. New buildings shall be designed to support present and future
equipment loading. The design of existing buildings shall be checked to ensure
adequate floor design.
Floors shall be of acid-resistant construction, or otherwise protected from damage
by spilled electrolyte.
The electrical installation shall comply with Plant Building Electrical Design.
Lighting shall be provided in accordance with Lighting Design Requirements in
Process Industry.
Curbing, with sump or chemical drain, shall be included, to collect any spilled
electrolyte.

Battery Room Ventilation & HVAC

1. Vented lead acid batteries shall be located in rooms with outside air exchange, or
in well-ventilated rooms, arranged in a way that prevents the escape of fumes,
gases, or electrolyte spray into other areas.
2. Ventilation shall be provided to ensure diffusion of the gases from the battery, to
prevent the accumulation of an explosive mixture.
3. The optimum cell electrolyte temperature is 25 °C and is the basis of rated
performance. HVAC system shall be designed to maintain the room constantly at
this temperature.

Battery Room Safety Requirements

1. The battery room shall have the following items readily accessible for workers
handling acids or batteries:
a. Goggles and face shields
b. Protective aprons and overshoes
c. Rubber gloves
2. Facilities for flushing the eyes for 15 minutes shall be provided within 3 m of any
work area where batteries are maintained, removed, or electrolyte is added. The
eye wash facility may be of the self-contained refillable type, or permanently
connected to a potable water supply.
3. Facilities shall be provided for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte.
4. Class C fire extinguisher shall be provided.
5. Supply of bicarbonate of soda mixed approximately 0.1 kg/L of water shall be 
provided for neutralizing acid spills.
6. Safety signs shall be provided.
Main keywords for this article are Battery Room Design Requirements, vented lead
acid batteries, battery room safety requirements, Battery Room Ventilation, unit
substations electrical.
 

Battery Installations in Unit Substations and Equipment

Rooms
Batteries installed in unit substations, electrical equipment rooms and instrument
rack rooms shall comply with the requirements of this section, Main Substation
Design and Unit Substation Design.
In these locations, stainless steel hoods vented to the outside shall be installed over
batteries. Hood vents shall be equipped with an automatic damper, to ensure that
building positive pressure will cause air flow out the vent. If the building is not
under positive pressure, an explosion proof exhaust fan shall be installed in the
hood, to ensure fumes are removed from the building.
In prefabricated substation and rack buildings, a stainless steel acid shield shall be
provided below and behind each battery rack. The floor shield shall extend a 
minimum of 150 mm beyond the battery rack. The wall shield shall extend 300 mm
above the top-most battery vent cap. The shields shall be securely fastened to the
walls and floor with stainless steel screws or bolts, and shall not present a tripping
hazard. This shield shall be in lieu of the curb and sump required in site erected
buildings.

Battery Room Storage Cabinet

A storage cabinet or rack shall be provided near the battery, to store the safety
materials listed in Section 8, plus the following accessories:
a. Hydrometer
b. One (1) thermometer, graduated to indicate the specific gravity correction
factor when adding to or subtracting from the hydrometer reading
c. One (1) filler bulb to adjust liquid levels of cells
d. One (1) battery terminal or pole wrench
Main keywords for this article are Battery Room Design Requirements, vented lead
acid batteries, battery room safety requirements, Battery Room Ventilation, unit
substations electrical.