Battery Storage Regulations Australia
Kay Hamling
2. Worksafe Australia have also produced a number of Model Codes of Practice that are practical guides for achieving the health & safety standards for specific work activities under the model WHS Act and Regulations. To have any legal effect the model Code of Practice must have been approved as a code of practice in your State or Territory. To determine if a relevant Code of Practice has been approved check with your State WHS regulator.
Note approved codes of practice while not law are admissible in court proceedings. Courts may regard an approved code of practice as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or control and may rely on the relevant code to determine what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances.
Used or Waste lead acid batteries are classified as a hazardous (and controlled) waste in each Australian State and Territory. As a result there is State and Territory based regulations that control their intrastate and interstate movement. In general these regulations will require that you only use a transport company that has a controlled waste license for used lead acid batteries. The provisions of a waste carrier license typically includes requirements such as;
Please note that this information regarding the lead acid battery regulations is general in nature. Companies must do their own research to understand their legal obligations in each jurisdiction and to ensure that they are compliant with storage & handling regulations for used lead acid battery.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) are a trending battery type in many different buildings and industries and can be found in residential consumer electronics to electric skateboards, bikes and vehicles through to commercial power back-up/UPS, solar panel and grid-scale energy storage and military and aerospace applications.
Li-ion batteries capitalise on their ability to deliver high energy density, longer shelf life, and lower environmental impact than traditional technologies. As a result, Li- ion batteries have become the energy storage technology of choice for most electronic devices and equipment, small and large.
While billions of these batteries operate safely on a daily basis, as we know from media reports and even personal experiences, these batteries present a risk of thermal runaway. This document aims to provide businesses with general information about the various levels of risk associated with Li-ion batteries, as well as mitigation strategies to consider when managing such risks.
For Li-ion batteries, thermal runaway events generally begin with a single cell overheating; this ignites the electrolyte within that cell, which ignites adjacent cells. Causes of thermal runaway can range from inferior quality cells, manufacturing defects, mechanical and physical abuse, and overcharging.
Because lithium reacts exothermically with water, these fires are incredibly challenging to control and extinguish.
Certain lithium-ion battery chemistries can also release heavy metals and toxic smoke, which are costly to clean up and remediate when involved in a fire, especially in sensitive environments.
Thermal runaway events in Li-ion batteries have resulted in the recall of millions of laptop batteries due to overheating reports and fires involving the batteries and chargers for "hoverboard" scooters and, more recently, e-bikes. While these events might be small in number compared to the billions of units in use with no reported adverse events, they reinforce the need for a robust risk assessment.
The loss examples in commercial and industrial settings are growing. For example, the Morris Lithium Battery Fire on June 29, 2021, was one of the biggest Li-ion battery fires in American history. This event helped highlight how challenging it is to protect against and extinguish a fire involving Li-ion batteries in bulk storage. It also reinforced how critical hazard communication and fire department planning is to battle such a blaze. In 2018, another large fire occurred in Jamaica, New York, after a Li-ion battery was improperly disposed of, sparking a fire that brought the nearby Long Island Railroad to a halt. The fire grew rapidly due to nearby trash, piles of paper, cardboard recycling, and windy conditions. It took close to a full day to extinguish the fire.
Material handling equipment (e.g., forklifts, pallet jacks, etc.) is quickly transitioning from traditional lead-acid to Li-ion batteries. Li-ion battery-powered material handling equipment relies on "opportunity charging," meaning the charging stations are decentralised throughout the storage area, allowing quick recharging.
Below are examples of the desired level of certification(s) for such battery systems when used in material handling equipment:
Li-ion batteries are helping transition our energy needs today towards a more sustainable future away from carbon- based sources. However, Li-ion batteries present a unique and challenging fire risk, especially from thermal runaway. Battery form, chemistry, energy rating (Ah), listings/approvals, and manufacturing quality will all impact the unique risk profile of the batteries.
As these batteries continue to pervade businesses through bulk storage, integration, assembly, or even into newer material handling equipment, please reach out to Chubb Risk Engineering Services to explore options for safe use, handling, storage, and emergency planning and response best practices.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are the technologies we simply know as batteries that are big enough to power your business. Power from renewables, like solar and wind, are stored in a BESS for later use. They come in different shapes and sizes, suit different applications and settings, and use different technologies and chemicals to do their job.
Battery cells can deliver a severe electrical shock when interconnected as battery banks, reaching hazardous voltage levels. There will also be 240-volt rated parts or other components on the energy regulators and inverters that have hazardous voltages.
Most lead-acid batteries generate hydrogen and oxygen gases when charging and so need good ventilation to avoid an explosion or fire. Other battery types may also emit gases and also need good ventilation.
Lithium-ion batteries do not produce any exhaust gases during normal operation, but they can produce flammable gases if there is a fault.
Fire and explosions can also result from excessive temperatures (either under normal operating conditions or due to an overload), component failure, short circuit or loose connections.
A battery has sufficient energy to cause an arc flash if it short circuits, or if a fault occurs. An arc flash can have temperatures above 12,000C, capable of melting metal or causing fires and explosions, and cause arc flash injuries. Generally, higher battery energy storage capacities have a higher risk of arc flash.
Battery casings can degrade or be damaged from a variety of impacts. They can also rupture because of excessive temperatures generated from a change in chemical reaction from over-charging. If a battery casing is ruptured, the fluid or gel (electrolyte) inside can leak, resulting in toxic fumes, burns, corrosion or explosions.
By following the four-step risk management process below you should meet your responsibilities under these laws. Where the WHS Act and the Electrical Safety Act both apply the Electrical Safety Act takes priority.
You must work through the hierarchy of controls to choose the control that most effectively eliminates or minimises the risks. This may involve a single control measure or combination of two or more different controls.
Find the hierarchy of controls in How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.65 MB) or use the Electrical safety code of practice 2021 - Managing electrical risks in the workplace.
Different battery technologies and chemistries have different performance capabilities, and different requirements for installation, operation and maintenance. Choose a battery technology that suits the application and know how to safely handle (including transporting), install and operate the system.
We deeply acknowledge and pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and their Elders past and present. We thank the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia for their ongoing custodianship of land, waters, culture and community.
REDARC Electronics acknowledge and fully support the new standard introduced in AS/NZS3001.2:2022, which address various aspects of the electrical system safety in RVs (Caravans, Motor Homes, and Camper trailers). This standard is driven by a collective commitment to enhancing safety of the installation of electrical systems, including batteries.
AS/NZS3001.2:2022 outlines requirements and guidelines for various aspects of the electrical system in Caravans, RVs, and Camper trailers. The standard considers wiring, inverters, solar panels, and batteries. The standard also requires batteries to comply with AS IEC 62619.
The change in standards is driven by the need to improve safety and consistency in the storage of batteries in RVs. The new standards, AS/NZS3001.2:2022, have been developed in consultation with electrical experts and industry professionals to address safety concerns and ensure standardization in the industry.
The standard applies for any new installations from the 18th of November 2023 (the effective date). The new standard applies to any new electrical installations (vehicle builds) conducted after the effective date, but not to existing installations. Installations prior to the effective date will be assessed against the standards at the time of installation so long as they meet basic safety standards.
Typically, repairs may be conducted using methods, fittings and fixtures that were acceptable at the time of the original installation. Alternatively, currently available methods fittings and fixtures available as direct replacements may be used, providing that basic safety requirements are met.
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