Battery cabinet production safety operation procedures

Ventilation systems for stationary batteries must address human health and safety, fire safety, equipment reliability and safety, as well as human comfort. The ventilation system must prevent the accumulation of hydrogen pockets greater than 1% concentration.

This course describes the hazards associated with batteries and highlights those safety features that must be taken into consideration when designing, constructing and fitting out a battery room. It provides the HVAC designer the information related to cost effective ventilation.

While there is not a specific OSHA standard for lithium-ion batteries, many of the OSHA general industry standards may apply, as well as the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970). These include, but are not limited to the following standards:

The battery top should always be kept dry and clean to avoid short-circuiting of the battery terminals or any leakage of current between the terminals caused by the dirt accumulated on the battery top. Do not place any conductive parts or metal tools on the battery top.

Battery rooms shall be designed with an adequate exhaust system which provides for continuous ventilation of the battery room to prohibit the build-up of potentially explosive hydrogen gas. During normal operations, off gassing of the batteries is relatively small.

If the insulation covers or caps are to be removed to facilitate work, the extent and duration of exposure of the terminals should be minimized as far as practicable. In this respect, an insulation plate or barrier may be put on top of the battery to screen off the exposed metal terminals temporarily.