Canadian Regulatory Requirements for

Stationary Battery Systems

North American Update

ComplianceKnowledgeCenter.com

What Factors Drive the Need for Compliance?

Regulatory

Corporate Social
Responsibility

Going Green

Complying with National

& Provincial Codes

Responsible for
Employee & Community

Proactively Reducing
Environmental Impact

End Users Responsible for Cradle-to-Grave Liability

Cradle-to-Grave Liability Considerations

Transportation

Employee Safety

Incident Reporting

Environmental Protection

Hazardous Waste

Installation

Operation

End User Responsibility

End of
Usable Life

Dangers in a Battery Room

Regulated Materials
Sulfuric Acid
Lead

0
3

Hazards

Chemical (Toxic & Corrosive)

Electrical
Explosive Gas
Physical (Lifting & Slip)

2
W

Areas of Battery Room Compliance

HazMat Spill
Cleanup Kit

Personal Safety
Equipment

Ventilation
Eyewash or
Shower
Hydrogen Gas
Monitor

Signage

Spill Containment &

Neutralization

Terminal
Insulation &
Barriers

Aisle Mats

Standards Organizations

CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
 Electrical Safety: Z462-08 Section 6.3 Battery and Battery Rooms (Electrical Safety, PPE)

ICC (International Code Council)

 International Fire Code 608 (Spill Containment, Signage, Thermal Runaway, Spill
Kits, Gas Monitoring)

NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association)

 NFPA 1 Article 52 (Spill Containment, Signage, Thermal Runaway, Spill Kits, Gas Monitoring)
 NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace, Article 320 (Training, Terminal Covers,
Ventilation, Spill Control, PPE)

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)

 IEEE 1578 Recommended Practice for Stationary Battery Electrolyte Spill Containment
and Management (Spill Containment)
 IEEE 484 Recommended Practice for Installation Design and Installation of Vented
Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications (PPE, Spill Containment, Ventilation)
 IEEE 1187 Recommended Practice for Installation Design and Installation of ValveRegulated Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications (PPE, Spill Containment,
Ventilation)
 IEEE 1657 Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifications for Installation and
Maintenance of Stationary Batteries (Training, PPE)

What are Standards?

A published specification that establishes a common language,
and contains a technical specification or other precise criteria and
is designed to be used consistently, as a rule, a guideline, or a
definition.





CSA Canadian Standards Association

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials
Ulc Underwriters Laboratories of Canada

What is a Code or Regulation?

Created by a delegate of the Parliament

Mandatory requirement
 a form of law

The operational and enforceable part of a law

 Complies with an applicable Act.

Code/Regulatory source is often originates from Standards doctrine

 IEEE, CSA, NFPA

Regulations adopt Model Standards

Developed through committee and national organizations

Based on standards and international code associations.
 CSA Canadian Standards Association
 ICC International Code Council (International Fire Code)
 IFC 608 Stationary Storage Battery Systems
 NFPA National Fire Protection Association
 NFPA 1 Chapter 52 Stationary Lead-Acid Battery Systems

Federal Regulatory Agencies in Canada

Environment Canada (EC)
 Ministry of the Environment
 Coordinates environmental policies and programs.

Transport Canada
 Safety standards and regulations on transportation of dangerous
goods.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

 Work-related illnesses and injuries.

Canadian Regulations

Ministry of the Environment
 Clean Water Act
 Environmental Protection Act

NFC (The National Fire Code of Canada)

 OH5 Hazardous Substances Containment

Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations

 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (Transportation, Training, Spill
Containment, Signage)

Canada Occupational Health And Safety Regulations
 SOR/86-304 Warning of Hazardous Substances 10.13 (Signage, Eyewash,
Training)

Occupational Health and Safety Act
 Ontario Regulation 67/93 - Health Care And Residential Facilities (Signage & PPE)
 Ontario Health and Safety Reg 851 (Shower/Eyewash)
 R.S.O. 1990, Chapter O.1 (MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheets)

Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997

 Ontario Regulation 213/07 - Fire Code (Spill Containment)

Regulated Materials

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
(www.ccohs.ca)

WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)
 Class D Div. 2 Toxic Lead
 Class E - Corrosives Sulfuric Acid

Quebec Hazardous Material Regulation

Prevent damage to the environment and wildlife

Section 8. No one may emit, deposit, discharge or release a
hazardous material into the environment or into a sewage system

Section 9. Every person who accidentally releases a hazardous
material into the environment shall immediately
(1) stop the spill;
(2) inform the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment
and Parks; and
 (3) recover the hazardous material and remove all contaminated
material that is not cleaned or treated on site.




International Fire Code (IFC) Section 608

608.5 Spill control and neutralization
An approved method and materials for the control and neutralization of a
spill of electrolyte shall be provided in areas containing lead-acid, nickelcadmium or other types of batteries with free-flowing liquid electrolyte.
Exception: VRLA shall not require spill control. (Check with AHJ on local
applicability).

608.5.1 Nonrecombinant battery neutralization (Flooded)

capable of neutralizing a spill from the largest lead-acid battery to a pH
between 7.0 and 9.0.

608.5.2 Recombinant battery neutralization (VRLA)

capable of neutralizing a spill of 3 percent of the capacity of the largest VRLA cell or
block

Per IFC 608: All VRLA systems REQUIRE neutralization.

Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)?

Ministry of the Environment

Fire Department code
enforcement

CanOHS Inspector

HazMat Inspector

Insurance Carrier inspectors

Loss Prevention

Facility Owners and Managers

Real Estate Professionals

Environmental Compliance Manager

Corporate Health and Safety
Site Security and Human Resources
Environmental Health and Safety
Outside Environmental or Safety
Auditor

Water Quality Inspectors

Fish and Game

Site Safety Manager

Any AHJ can require Spill Containment.

Copyright 2011 EnviroGuard.

All Rights Reserved.

Who Enforces the Need for Compliance?

EH&S Directors, LEED Certification

Facility Owners & Insurers

CanOHS. Inspectors

Fire Inspectors

Green
Policy

Going Green

Corporate
Standards

Corporate
Responsibility

Hazardous
Materials
Management
Safety Regulations

Local Authorities Having Jurisdiction

Regulatory

What is Considered a Battery Spill?

Unintentional release of hazardous material.

Common causes:
 Installation and Removal
 Handling (drops or punctures)
 Improper installation or support

 Operational






Over-charging / charger failure

Thermal runaway
Battery Explosion (hydrogen)
Jar crack due to plate growth
Seismic events

 Maintenance
 Water additions (electrolyte overflow)
 Jar Crack (punctures or unapproved cleaning fluids)
Source: IEEE

Most spills occur during installation & maintenance. - IEEE

The Problem? - Damage to Rack

The Problem? Damage to Floor Substrate

The Problem? Damage to Environment

Purpose & Terminology for Spill Containment

Spill Control
Method and materials for the
control of a spill of electrolyte.

Neutralization
Method and materials for the
neutralization of a release of
electrolyte.

Pillows
Pillows filled with chemicals to
neutralize and absorb spilled
electrolyte.

Barriers

Liner

Full spill control will typically

require 4 high barriers.

Acid resistant liner to contain

and control electrolyte spills.

Importance of ULc for Spill Containment

Tested by globally recognized
lab
 a tested & proven means of
containment

Reduces Risk / Liability

Streamlines Fire Permit
Sign-off and Future Inspection

Room or Rack Spill Containment?

Room Containment

Rack Containment

Type of Neutralization Systems

Passive Neutralization
ALWAYS Ready
(Neutralizes upon Contact)

Reactive Neutralization
Manually Applied
(MUST be Trained to Use)

Due Diligence Checklist Site Assessment

Yes

No

Questions
Do you know and understand your safety and health responsibilities?
Do you have definite procedures in place to identify and control hazards?
Have you integrated safety into all aspects of your work?
Do you set objectives for safety and health just as you do for quality, production, and sales?
Have you committed appropriate resources to safety and health?
Have you explained safety and health responsibilities to all employees and made sure that
they understand it?
Have employees been trained to work safely and use proper protective equipment?
Is there a hazard reporting procedure in place that encourages employees to report all unsafe
conditions and unsafe practices to their supervisors?
Are managers, supervisors, and workers held accountable for safety and health just as they
are held accountable for quality?
Is safety a factor when acquiring new equipment or changing a process?
Do you keep records of your program activities and improvements?
Do you keep records of the training each employee has received?
Do your records show that you take disciplinary action when an employee violates safety
procedures?
Do you review your OSH program at least once a year and make improvements as needed?

Required Battery Room Safety Equipment

Requirement

Regulatory

Spill Control

IFC, Ontario Reg 213/07

Neutralization

IFC, Ontario Reg 213/07

Spill Clean-up Kit

IFC, Ontario Reg 213/07

Eyewash Station

Ontario Reg 851

Battery Room Signs

IFC, SOR/86-304, 67/93

Hydrogen Gas Monitoring

IFC

Thermal Runaway Protection

IFC

Battery Terminal Covers

NFPA 70E,

Acid-resistant Aisle Mats

TBD

Smoke Detectors

IFC, NFC

Fire Extinguishers

NFC

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

NFPA 70E, Ontario Reg

67/93

Battery Room Signage

Signs shall be posted at each door.
 Room Contains Lead Acid Battery System
 Energized electrical circuits
 Battery electrolyte solutions are corrosive liquids

Clearly mark location of:







Eye Wash Station

Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Exits
Spill Cleanup Kit

Canada
CanadaOHSR
OHSR- -SOR/86-304
SOR/86-304
Ontario
Regulation
Ontario Regulation67/93
67/93
IFC
Section
608.6
IFC Section 608.6
Copyright 2011 EnviroGuard.
All Rights Reserved.

Spill Clean-up Kits

Typical Personal Protection and Spill Response!












D.O.T. container
Neutralizing Pillows or SOCS
Acid Absorbent & Neutralizer
Full body coveralls
Headgear and face shield
Rubber boots
Goggles
Rubber gloves
Shovel and brush
Duct tape
pH test kit

ONLY trained personnel are authorized to

perform spill clean-up.
Ontario
OntarioRegulation
Regulation67/93
67/93
National
Fire
Code

National Fire Code OH5

OH5
CSA
Electrical
Safety:
CSA Electrical Safety:Z462-08
Z462-08

Eyewash Stations
OSHA requires ANSI Z358.1 Standard
Within 25 feet of battery work.
Plumbed shower stations:
 30 gpm

Wall-mount stations:
 0.4 gpm for 15 min.

Eyewash bottles (1 qt.)

 Ideal for personal protection
 Should not be stand-alone

Canada
CanadaOHSR
OHSR- -SOR/86-304
SOR/86-304
Ontario
OntarioReg
Reg851
851

Battery Terminal Covers

Features:

Clear PVC
Low Flame Spread LOI >32
UL 94V-0
Five Different Sizes

Provide:

Insulate terminals and intercell connectors

Meet NFPA 70E and OSHA Regulations

Include with ALL Battery Systems!

CSA
CSAZ462-08
Z462-08Section
Section6.3
6.3
NFPA
NFPA70E
70E

Prevent H2 Gas Buildup

Hydrogen Detection Units

Hydrogen Gas Monitor Applications






Ensure code compliance

Continuous monitoring of Hydrogen Gas
Early warning of hydrogen gas presence
Turn off chargers
Turn on secondary ventilation

Ventilate Room per Code

 < 1.0% of H2 of total volume
 Same for Cabinets

Personnel Safety
Aisle Mats
- 36 or 48 wide
- Acid Resistant

Battery Lifts

Electrical Safety

Insulated Tools

Battery Blankets

HV Mats

Insulated Tools
30.0kVA Floor Mat
Battery Blanket

Required Training

Hazard Communication
Battery and Battery Room Safety
Transportation of Hazardous Material
Battery Spill Response Awareness
Packaging and Handling
NFPA 70E Electrical Safety
Electrical PPE
Arc Flash Hazards
Lock-out/Tag-out
And more

References

BCI (Battery Council International)
http://www.batterycouncil.org

Environment Canada
http://www.ec.gc.ca

Transport Canada
http://www.tc.gc.ca

Province of British Columbia

 Environment Management Act, Reg 449/2004, Recycling Regulation
http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/449_2004

 Product Stewardship for Lead-Acid Batteries:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/recycling/batt/index.htm

Ontario Ministry of the Environment

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment

Canadian Battery Association

http://canadianbatteryassociation.ca/

Acknowledgements

Battery Council International

Veolia Environmental Services

References:
 An Update on the Codes, Standards and Guides Applicable to
Stationary Lead-Acid Batteries by J. Allen Byrne

R1

Thank You
Bill Ryan
Email: BRyan@EnviroGuard.com
Call: 800-206-9884

ComplianceKnowledgeCenter.com

Slide 38
R1

Richard, 2011-05-27