// CODE SNIPPET
608.5 Suppression and Detection Systems
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Rooms containing stationary
storage battery systems shall be equipped with an
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1. Commodity classifications for specific
technologies of storage batteries shall be in accordance
with Chapter 5 of NFPA 13. If the storage battery types
are not addressed in Chapter 5 of NFPA 13, the fire code
official is authorized to approve the fire suppression system
based on full-scale fire and fault condition testing
conducted or witnessed and reported by an approved laboratory.
Exception: Spaces or areas containing stationary storage
battery systems used exclusively for telecommunications
equipment in accordance with Section 903.2.
Battery systems
that utilize water reactive materials shall be protected
by an approved alternative automatic fireextinguishing
system in accordance with Section 904.
The system shall be listed for protecting the type,
arrangement and quantities of storage batteries in the
room. The fire code official shall be permitted to
approve the alternate fire suppression system based on
full-scale fire and fault condition testing conducted or
witnessed and reported by an approved laboratory.
An approved automatic
smoke detection system shall be installed in rooms containing
stationary storage battery systems in accordance
with Section 907.2.
Where required by Section 608.6 or
Section 608.1.3, ventilation of rooms containing stationary
storage battery systems shall be provided in accordance
with the California Mechanical Code and the
following:
- The ventilation system shall be designed to limit the maximum concentration of flammable gas to 25 percent of the lower flammability limit, or for hydrogen 1.0 percent of the total volume of the room; or
- Continuous ventilation shall be provided at a rate of not less than 1 cubic foot per minute (cfm) per square foot [0.00508 m3/(s • m2)] of floor area, but not less than 150 cfm (4 m3/min).
- The exhaust system shall be designed to provide air movement across all parts of the floor for gases having a vapor density greater than air and across all parts of the ceiling for gases having a vapor density less than air.
Where cabinets located
in occupied spaces contain the storage batteries that
are required by Section 608.6 or 608.1.3 to be provided
with ventilation, the cabinet shall be provided with ventilation
in accordance with Section 608.5.3.
Required mechanical ventilation
systems for rooms and cabinets containing storage
batteries shall be supervised by an approved central
station, proprietary or remote station service or shall
initiate an audible and visual signal at an approved
constantly attended on-site location.
Where required by Section
608.6 or 608.1.3, rooms containing stationary storage battery
systems shall be protected by a continuous gas detection
system complying with Section 916. The gas detection
system shall be designed to activate where the level of
flammable gas exceeds 25 percent of the lower flammable
limit (LFL), or where the level of toxic or highly toxic gas
exceeds 1/2 of the IDLH.
Activation of the gas
detection system shall result in all the following:
- Initiation of distinct audible and visible alarms in the battery storage room.
- Transmission of an alarm to an approved location.
- De-energizing of the battery charger.
- Activation of the mechanical ventilation system, where the system is interlocked with the gas detection system.
Exception: Lead acid and nickel cadmium
stationary storage battery systems shall not be
required to comply with Items 1, 2, and 3
above.
Where required
by Section 608.6, approved methods and materials shall
be provided for the control and neutralization of spills of
electrolyte or other hazardous materials in areas containing
stationary storage batteries as follows:
- For batteries with free-flowing electrolyte, the method and materials shall be capable of neutralizing a spill of the total capacity from the largest cell or block to a pH between 5.0 and 9.0.
- For batteries with immobilized electrolyte, the method and material shall be capable of neutralizing a spill of 3.0 percent of the capacity of the largest cell or block in the room to a pH between 5.0 and 9.0.
Related Code Sections
608.5 Building Services and Systems, Suppression and Detection Systems
Suppression and
detection systems shall be provided in accordance with Sections
608.5.1 through 608.5.5 ...
California Fire Code 2016 > 6 Building Services and Systems > 608 Stationary Storage Battery Systems > 608.5 Suppression and Detection Systems
608.5.3 Building Services and Systems, Ventilation
Where required by Section 608.6 or
Section 608.1.3, ventilation of rooms containing stationary
storage battery systems shall be provided ...
California Fire Code 2016 > 6 Building Services and Systems > 608 Stationary Storage Battery Systems > 608.5 Suppression and Detection Systems > 608.5.3 Ventilation
608.5.5 Building Services and Systems, Spill Control and Neutralization
Where required
by Section 608.6, approved methods and materials shall
be provided for the control and neutralization of spills of
electrolyte or other ...
California Fire Code 2016 > 6 Building Services and Systems > 608 Stationary Storage Battery Systems > 608.5 Suppression and Detection Systems > 608.5.5 Spill Control and Neutralization
608.5.3.1 Building Services and Systems, Cabinet Ventilation
Where cabinets located
in occupied spaces contain the storage batteries that
are required by Section 608.6 or 608.1.3 to be provided
with ventilation ...
California Fire Code 2016 > 6 Building Services and Systems > 608 Stationary Storage Battery Systems > 608.5 Suppression and Detection Systems > 608.5.3 Ventilation > 608.5.3.1 Cabinet Ventilation
608.5.3.2 Building Services and Systems, Supervision
Required mechanical ventilation
systems for rooms and cabinets containing storage
batteries shall be supervised by an approved central
station ...
California Fire Code 2016 > 6 Building Services and Systems > 608 Stationary Storage Battery Systems > 608.5 Suppression and Detection Systems > 608.5.3 Ventilation > 608.5.3.2 Supervision