What's Wrong With This Picture 1

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Lead-acid Batteries in Buildings
Number 1 in a Series

This is a picture of a typical telephone company central office battery plant installation. There are usually three to five of these battery systems in a medium size office. The side rails holding the battery jars in place are found in earthquake zoned parts of the country.

Looking at the picture we see violation of the building and fire codes, an incredible embodiment of an Emergency Management Plan, and a battery rack design that will probably fail during a substantial earthquake.

BUILDING AND FIRE CODE VIOLATION AND
INCREDIBLE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

The battery plant shown in the picture is located in a jurisdiction governed, by law, under the Uniform Building and Fire Codes™. This one battery system exceeds Uniform Fire Code hazardous materials exemption amounts for both installation and use permitting and hazardous materials provisions under Article 80. Lead-acid battery systems "constitute a distinct hazard to life or property," existing conditions are not "grandfathered."

This installation lacks the spill control provisions (4 inch liquid-tight barrier etc.) required in both the building and fire codes. Also, without a spill management system, it is incredible that a reasonable and prudent Emergency Management Plan is in place.

While perhaps the materials hung on the end of the battery rack may look to address an acid spill, the small box of baking soda does not satisfy the fire code’s requirement of being capable of neutralizing a spill from the largest lead-acid battery. Also, the safe bulk neutralizer application to a puddle of acid is no small achievement.

PROBABLE BATTERY RACK FAILURE IN EARTHQUAKE

Looking at the top of the picture, top bracing of the battery rack into the ceiling can be seen. In an actual earthquake, the ceiling movement is generally out of "synchronization" with respect to the floor movement. The ceiling derived forces and the battery weight and side moment forces tend to buckle the legs of the battery rack relatively close to the floor.

Although not applicable to this installation, battery racks are also not designed to be placed and fastened over floor joints. The battery rack is not intended to hold floor sections together, especially during an earthquake.

CONCLUSION

A battery system in conformance with building and fire codes, EPA, and OSHA will have an implemented spill management plan. Any reasonable and prudent spill management plan will include spill containment.

In general, "earthquake" bracing into the ceiling will diminish a battery rack’s ability to withstand seismic loads.

Robert L. Taylor, President
Morning Star Industries, Incorporated
Power Systems Solutions Division
304 Lake Terrace
Rockwall, Texas 75087
Tel: 972-618-9630 Fax: 775-806-4124
Email: msi@msi.nu