Stationary Batteries Compartment Ventilation 1

[abeltio]

Q1.Are there any code requirements for the ventilation of the battery compartment of Lead/Calcium flat plate Batteries, 120VDC (60 cells)?

If the answer to Q1 is YES:
Q2. Which code/article?
Q3. In layman's words, what are those requirements?

If the answer to Q1 is NO:
Q4. What would be an acceptable ventilation?

 

[stangalang]

I'm dealing with a similar project now. Our ventilation was existing already so I didn't look for codes. If you still interested, here's what I learned:

The lower explosive limit for Hydrogen gas is 4% by volume. Using a safety factor of 5, (to account for gas production fluctuations, room temp, deterioration of ventilation system) this reduces to 0.8% by volume. Determine the H2 gas production rate. Determine the time in which 0.8% H2 gas concentration is reached. If, for example, it were 20 minutes, then at least one air change is needed per 20 minutes. To determine the H2 gas production rate I used the following:

(charging amperage) X (# of cells) X (.016 cubic feet of H2 per hour-cell-amp)

 

[Kasane]

I'd suggest you should review is the National Fire Protection Agency
(NFPA) as well as any local fire codes.
[

http://www.nfpa.org/codesonline

]

NFPA/Codes/NFPA 100 - 199/
- NFPA 111 Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and
Standby Power Systems 2001 Edition/Appendix A Explanatory Material
... A.2.1.13 Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS). The UPS usually
monitors and tracks ... as uninterruptible power supplies, ventilation
where essential to maintain ... refrigeration systems, communication
systems, ventilation and smoke removal systems ... due to corrosion, for
ventilation requirements for hazardous gas ...

Terry

 

[jareem]

I am having trouble sourcing a vent or breather for a similar project that uses a lead-acid battery. Does anyone have a link to a supplier for a passive vent or breather for a smaller electrical enclosure?

 

[nukeman]

Look at IEEE 484, there is a small section on ventilation.

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Check local and state building codes.