UFC 3 -520-01
June 10, 2002
Article 480.9(C) (2002 Edition) . Figure 14 -1 provides examples of the NEC-required
clearances.
Figure 14-1. Battery Room Clearances
Concrete Wall
NEC
Condition 2
NEC
NEC
Condition 3
Condition 1
Battery Racks
Wooden
Wall
Battery Spill Containments
14-1.2.3 Select the battery rack to fit within the defined footprint while also satisfying
the need for maintenance access. Although this might seem to be an obvious design
consideration, many batteries have been installed in a manner such that access to
some (or all) cells is severely limited. Examples of actual poor battery installations
include:
14-1.2.3.1 Stepped battery racks without consideration of access to the rear row. The
worst installations require personnel to reach over two rows to get access to a third row,
thereby exposing personnel to the risk of short circuits and electric shock during
maintenance. In this case, access should have been provided behind the battery rack
to allow access to the last row.
14-1.2.3.2 Vertical two -high arrangements in which the lower row is completely blocked
by the upper row. Access to the lower row requires complete disassembly and removal
of the upper row. This is an example of a maintenance-proof design; because access
to the lower row is so difficult, adequate maintenance can not be performed on this
battery.
14-3
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