Battery Room Ventilation and Safety
In Battery Room Ventilation and Safety, you'll learn ...
- Components and operating mechanism of a lead-acid battery
- How lead-acid batteries can create an explosive atmosphere in an enclosed space
- Ventilation requirements for lead-acid batteries
- Battery room design criteria
Overview
It is common knowledge that lead-acid batteries release hydrogen gas that can be potentially explosive. Battery rooms must be adequately ventilated to prohibit the build-up of hydrogen gas. During normal operations, off gassing of the batteries is relatively small. However, the concern is elevated during times of heavy recharge of the batteries, which occurs immediately following a rapid and deep discharge.
Often HVAC designers underestimate the worst case for dangerous hydrogen accumulation, and display reassuring calculations proving that no danger really exists. But dismissing such a critical safety issue is not a prudent or responsible way to deal with it. Instead, we should be prepared to face the likely possibility of hydrogen build up, clearly identify the conditions when the risk is highest, and design systems that protect against explosive levels in a fail-safe way.
This 4-hour 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. The course is for reference only. Anyone involved in the design of a battery room should rely on the experience of a professional engineer who is well versed in applicable codes, standards and regulations for the installation site. Advice on specific ventilation rates required must be sought from the battery suppliers.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the construction, function, and operation of a lead-acid battery.
- Describe battery capacity in terms of amp-hour rating and reserve-capacity voltage.
- Distinguish between vented lead-acid and sealed VRLA batteries.
- Identify the requirements of IEEE, OSHA, NEC, UBC, and DOT for battery room installations.
- Explain battery room ventilation requirements for hydrogen and fume extraction.
- Describe battery maintenance, testing, and charging practices.
- Identify the hazards and health and safety precautions associated with lead-acid batteries, their service and use, and their component materials.
Certificate of Completion
You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 24 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.
| This course is applicable to professional engineers in: | ||
| Alabama (P.E.) | Alaska (P.E.) | Arkansas (P.E.) |
| Delaware (P.E.) | District of Columbia (P.E.) | Florida (P.E. Area of Practice) |
| Georgia (P.E.) | Idaho (P.E.) | Illinois (P.E.) |
| Illinois (S.E.) | Indiana (P.E.) | Iowa (P.E.) |
| Kansas (P.E.) | Kentucky (P.E.) | Louisiana (P.E.) |
| Maine (P.E.) | Maryland (P.E.) | Michigan (P.E.) |
| Minnesota (P.E.) | Mississippi (P.E.) | Missouri (P.E.) |
| Montana (P.E.) | Nebraska (P.E.) | Nevada (P.E.) |
| New Hampshire (P.E.) | New Jersey (P.E.) | New Mexico (P.E.) |
| New York (P.E.) | North Carolina (P.E.) | North Dakota (P.E.) |
| Ohio (P.E. Self-Paced) | Oklahoma (P.E.) | Oregon (P.E.) |
| Pennsylvania (P.E.) | South Carolina (P.E.) | South Dakota (P.E.) |
| Tennessee (P.E.) | Texas (P.E.) | Utah (P.E.) |
| Vermont (P.E.) | Virginia (P.E.) | West Virginia (P.E.) |
| Wisconsin (P.E.) | Wyoming (P.E.) | |



