Frequently Asked Questions

All states fire codes require some form of spill containment in a battery room.  Throughout the nation, states will either fall under the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code.  Check with your local fire marshal or building inspector to determine which fire code is applicable for your battery room.  As a general rule of thumb, all wet cell battery systems require a complete spill containment barrier system.  A complete system consists of 4” high barriers to enclose battery system at a minimum of 1” beyond the furthest point of rack/cabinet, acid-resistant flooring and an absorbing & neutralizing method to a pH range of 7.0 to 9.0.

This is dependent upon the states’ governing fire code.  Keep in mind that additional measures may be required by the local code ordinances above and beyond state codes so it is always recommended to check with the local inspector for verification.

Uniform Fire Code (UFC) Article 64 requires a complete spill containment system with 4” high barriers to enclose any battery system containing 50 gallons or more of electrolyte in an unsprinklered facility or 100 gallons or more in a sprinklered facility.  This includes VRLA battery systems.

International Fire Code (IFC) Section 608 does not require the 4” high containment barriers to enclose VRLA battery systems, however, neutralization of 3% capacity of the largest jar IS REQUIRED per Section 608.5.2.  Acran’s Deluxe Lead-Acid Spill Response Kit PN 5SRK1000 or Deluxe Ni-Cad Spill Response Kit PN 5SRK2000 will satisfy IFC Section 608.5.2 as well as meet the federally mandated OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1910.120(g)(5), 1910.120(q)(2)(XI), 1910.178(g)(2), 1920.268(b)(2)(i), and 1926.441(a)(5,6,7)

Acran spill containment systems are favored in the industry for retrofit applications because of our capabilities to easily install around existing batteries. Same as with new installations, Acran barriers are installed after the battery & rack system(s) are in place.  Barriers are adhered to the floor with a novolac adhesive (5EAK0002) to eliminate need to install barriers prior to rack system as well as eliminate labor time and cost for precise spotting, drilling and anchoring.  The included one-coat, pour-in, self-leveling, self-priming, novolac epoxy (5ECT0100) is poured into the constructed barrier system and seals the floor and rack anchors for an acid-resistant, liquid-tight, fire code compliant flooring (Barrier Installation Manual). Epoxy can be poured during normal business hours in an occupied building around existing battery systems because it has 0 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and is 100% solid. Fumes are very minimal and not a risk for fire ignition. Acran’s provided novolac epoxy meets ASTM D-635 flammability standards and NFPA Hazards Flammability rating is 0-1. For Reference Please See ACRAN's SDS Page.

Yes. Acran Neutra-Mats/Neutra-Tubes are available in both Lead-Acid and Ni-Cad. Please specify application when requesting quote or placing order to insure proper neutralization method.

Yes. Unique to the industry as a standard feature, Acran Neutra-Mats turn pink upon acid exposure; yellow upon neutral liquid exposure. This results in a significant, long-term cost savings to end-users as it extends the life of the battery system with early leak detection and reduces labor time and cost by pinpointing defective jar(s) location for prompt replacement.

Yes. Acran Neutra-Mats/Neutra-Tubes are non-flammable and comply with all International and Uniform Fire Code requirements for neutralization and spill containment.

They have been tested to and have passed all fire test criteria of UL 94HBF (horizontal testing), NFPA 701 (vertical testing), ASTM E1354 (pre-heated material testing) in addition to the independent lab, Omega Point Laboratories, full scale fire test.

Yes. The Neutra-Mats have been tested in accordance with UL 94; specifically, mats were tested to and passed UL 94 HBF which is one of the classifications of UL 94 based on the product type and horizontal application of the Neutra-Mat. Mats supplied by other manufacturers that are tested only to UL 94 V0 (vertical) without additional horizontal testing verifications do not reflect real application results.

ASTM D2863 is Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index). Since all components of the Acran Spill Containment System, including Neutra-Mat materials do not consist of plastics, ASTM D2863 testing was not conducted and have no recorded oxygen index.

If there is no indication of a spill, pillows are considered non-hazardous & can be discarded as normal trash. However, if pillows exhibit any color change (particularly pink which is indicator of an acidic spill), because of the potential lead-content resulting from spill is unknown, it is recommended that pillow be disposed of as a hazardous material.

Proper protective gear for responders can be found in Acran’s Deluxe Spill Response Kits for Lead-Acid or Ni-Cad. Exposed hazardous materials can be contained in Acran’s 20 gallon DOT Approved Disposal Drum and must be shipped off-site to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility. Facility should supply a compliance certificate for verification of proper disposal. Because environmental regulations vary from state to state, even by local jurisdictions, it is recommended that the local EPA and/or Waste Management Bureau be contacted to insure compliance to state-specific guidelines.

The required analytical test to determine a given quantity of lead-containing debris is the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, or "TCLP" (Reference OSHA 40 CFR 261.24). A 100-gram sample is classified as hazardous waste if the TCLP sample result is greater than or equal to 5.0 milligrams per liter (mg/l) of lead. The debris is classified as solid waste if the TCLP sample result is less than 5.0 mg/l. Check local listings for labs that perform this test or refer to local Environmental Agency for test parameters & instructions.