What are the safety requirements related to batteries & Battery rooms?

Employers must consider exposure to these hazards when developing safe work practices and selecting personal protective equipment (PPE). That is where Article 320, Safety Requirements Related to Batteries and Battery Rooms comes in.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) stabilize the electrical grid, ensuring a steady flow of power to homes and businesses regardless of fluctuations from varied energy sources or other disruptions. However, fires at some BESS installations have caused concern in communities considering BESS as a method to support their grids.

Do you need documentation before entering a battery room?

It is a requirement to have all the documentation in place prior to authorized personnel entering a battery room to perform a specific work task on a battery system under normal operating conditions. However, it is likely the employee will need to enter the battery room to deal with a battery system that is not operating normally.

Is working on a battery considered energized electrical work?

Working on a battery should always considered energized electrical work. NFPA 70E ®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, Chapter 3 covers special electrical equipment in the workplace and modifies the general requirements of Chapter 1.

What happens if you send an employee into a battery room?

Sending an employee who is trained only for the normal operating conditions into a battery room under thermal runaway, for example, is knowingly exposing an unqualified person to risk of injury. The employer is responsible for protecting their employees from known or recognized hazards in the workplace.