National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1

National Fire Prevention Code 2003
(Proposed and in the adoption process)

Chapter 35 Stationary Lead-Acid Battery Systems
35-1 Scope: Stationary lead-acid battery systems having an electrolyte capacity of more than 100 gallons (378.5L) in sprinklered buildings or 50 gallons (189.3L) in unsprinklered buildings used for facility standby power, emergency power or uninterrupted power supplies shall be in accordance with Chapter 35.
35-2 Permits
35-2.1 General. Permits, where required shall comply with section 1-16.
35-2.2 Design Submittals. Prior to installation, plans shall be submitted and approved.
35-3 Installation and maintenance. Installation and maintenance of battery systems shall be accordance with ANSI/IEEE 484 Recommended Practice for Installations of Large-Lead Storage for Generating Stations and Substations and ANSI/IEEE Recommended Practice for Installation Maintenance of Lead-Acid Batteries.
35-3.2 Safety Venting. Batteries shall be provided with safety venting caps.
35-3.3 Occupancy Separation. In other than A,E,I and R Occupancies, battery systems shall be located in a room separated from other portions of the building by a minimum one-hour-resistive occupancy separation. In A,E,I and R Occupancies, battery systems shall be located in a room separated from other portions of the building by a two-hour-fire-resistive occupancy separation.
35-3.4 Spill Control. Each rack of batteries, or group of racks shall be provided with a liquid tight 4-inch spill-control barrier, which extends at least 1 inch beyond the battery rack in all directions.
35-3.5 Neutralization. An approved method to neutralize spilled electrolyte shall be provided. The method shall be capable of neutralizing a spill from the largest lead-acid battery to a pH between 7.0 - 9.0.
35-3.6 Ventilation. Ventilation shall be provided in accordance with the Mechanical Code and the following: 1. The ventilation system shall be designed to limit the maximum concentration of hydrogen to 1.0% of the total volume of the room in accordance with nationally recognized standards, or 2. Continuous ventilation shall be provided at a rate of not less than 1 cubic foot per minute square foot (.51L/s per m 2) of floor area of the room.
35-3.7 Signs. Doors into rooms or buildings containing stationary lead-acid battery systems shall be provided with approved signs. The signs shall state that the room contains lead-acid battery systems, that the battery room contains energized electrical circuits and that the battery electrolyte solutions are corrosive liquids.
35-3.8 Seismic Protection. Battery systems shall be seismically braced in accordance with the building code.
35-3.9 Smoke Detection. An approved automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in such areas and supervised by an approved central proprietary or remote station service or local alarm which will give an audible signal at a constantly attended location.

Federal Codes

OSHA 1910.268 Telecommunications

1910.268(b)(2) Battery handling.

1910.268(b)(2)(i) Eye protection devices which provide side as well as frontal eye protection for employees shall be provided when measuring storage battery specific gravity or handling electrolyte, and the employer shall ensure that such devices are used by the employees. The employer shall also ensure that acid resistant gloves and aprons shall be worn for protection against spattering. Facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided unless the storage batteries are of the enclosed type and equipped with explosion proof vents, in which case sealed water rinse or neutralizing packs may be substituted for the quick drenching or flushing facilities. Employees assigned to work with storage batteries shall be instructed in emergency procedures such as dealing with accidental acid spills.
1910.268(b)(2)(ii) Electrolyte (acid or base, and distilled water) for battery cells shall be mixed in a well ventilated room. Acid or base shall be poured gradually, while stirring, into the water. Water shall never be poured into concentrated (greater than 75 percent) acid solutions. Electrolyte shall never be placed in metal containers nor stirred with metal objects.
1910.268(b)(2)(iii) When taking specific gravity readings, the open endof the hydrometer shall be covered with an acid resistant material while moving it from cell to cell to avoid splashing or throwing the electrolyte.
1910.268(b)(3) Employers must provide employees with readily accessible, adequate, and appropriate first aid supplies. A non-mandatory example of appropriate supplies is listed in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.151.

EPA Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 40 Title 40

Hazardous Waste and Materials

Part 264 Owners and Operators of Hazardous Materials Facilities
264.175 Containment. A base which is free of cracks or gaps and sufficiently impervious to contain leaks, spills until the material is detected and removed. The base must be sloped or otherwise designed to drain and remove liquids resulting from the leaks, spills unless the containers are elevated or otherwise protected from contact with accumulated liquids. Sufficient capacity to contain 10% of the volume of the containers or the volume of the largest container, whichever is greater. Spilled or leaked waste must be removed from the sump or collection area in a timely manner as necessary to prevent overflow of the collection system.

Federal Guidelines

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1187-1996

5.1 (g) Provisions for neutralizing, containing and safely disposing of acid electrolyte in accordance with governmental regulations should be included.

Standard 484-1996

5.1(g) Portable or stationary water facilities should be provided for rinsing spilled electrolyte. Provisions for neutralizing, containing and safely disposing of acid electrolyte in with governmental regulation should be included.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Standards for cleaning concrete and concrete masonry units are available:
D4258-83 Surface Cleaning Concrete for Coating
D4261-83(1993)e1 Surface Cleaning Concrete Unit Masonry for Coating