Pennsylvania Code › Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Part I - Department of Labor and Industry › Chapter 50 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS-BUILDINGS › EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEMS › Section 50.62 - Storage battery systems

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Types of batteries permitted.
When lead acid storage batteries
				  are provided as the emergency source of supply, they shall be designed and
				  constructed to adequately meet the requirements of emergency lighting service
				  and shall be contained in sealed glass or heat resistant plastic jars except as
				  otherwise noted in this chapter. The cells shall be assembled with an
				  electrolyte having full charge specific gravity of 1.200-1.225.
(b)
Battery charging equipment.
Storage battery emergency lighting systems shall be equipped with a
				  device for maintaining the batteries in a fully charged condition. No switch
				  which may render thisdevice ineffective is permitted. Each time the emergency
				  lighting system is used because of the failure of the main supply, a charge at
				  maximum rate shall be given to the battery immediately. The same rate of charge
				  shall be given to the battery as often as necessary to assure its maintenance
				  in a fully charged condition. The charging device shall be capable of placing
				  the batteries in a state of full charge with 12 hours after restoration of
				  power following a power failure.
(c)
Care of batteries.
Storage batteries used in emergency lighting systems shall be mounted in a well
				  ventilated room or cabinet, and will be maintained at a temperature of not less
				  than 65° F. The mounting of the cells shall be of ample strength and
				  rigidity to carry the weight without appreciable sagging. Batteries shall not
				  be located in places where they would be subject to deterioration through
				  dampness.
(d)
Voltmeter
				  required.
Storage battery systems shall be provided with a voltmeter
				  having a guaranteed accuracy of 1% of full scale, except that a voltmeter
				  having a guaranteed accuracy of 2% of full scale may be used if the voltmeter
				  received a special calibration at the normal float charge value so that the
				  accuracy of indication at this point on the scale is not less than 1.0% of full
				  scale value. The voltmeter shall indicate the voltage of the battery at all
				  times.
(e)
Nameplate.
The nameplate required by §
										50.61(g)
				  (relating to general requirements) shall also contain the final rated voltage
				  of the battery under load at the end of the one hour period, the specific
				  gravity of the electrolyte when the batteries are fully charged, capacity of
				  system in watts, rated nominal voltage and current.
(f)
Capacity.
The capacity
				  of the storage battery when fully charged shall be sufficient to carry the
				  connected emergency load for a period of not less than 1 hour with a final
				  voltage not less than 87% of the nominal lamp voltage.
(g)
Trouble indications.
Storage battery systems shall be provided with a device that gives an audible
				  and visual signal when there is an open circuit between the trickle charger and
				  the battery. Such signals shall be located so that they may be seen and heard
				  by a responsible person. In place of the signals the voltmeter required in
				  subsection (d) shall have plainly marked zones as follows:
(i) A marked zone to indicate proper trickle
				  (float) charge voltage.
(ii) A
				  marked zone to indicate a failure of the trickle charger or that the battery is
				  discharging into the emergency lighting circuit.
(iii) A marked zone to indicate during normal
				  float charge operation that there is an open circuit between the trickle
				  charger and battery.