New approaches to safe ventilation of equipment containing lead acid and NiCd batteries

Several safety standards for information and communication technology (ICT) equipment installed outdoors have recently been updated to better ensure that those equipment housing lead-acid or nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries are well ventilated and do not pose a risk of explosion of combustible gases. New procedures in IEC 62368-1, IEC 60950-22, Second Edition, and Telcordia Standard GR-487-CORE, Issue 4 have been developed to reduce the risk of explosion due to compromised or inadequate ventilation. These procedures apply to both lead-acid and NiCd battery technologies, each known for producing explosive gas as a byproduct of electrolysis. This paper provides a review of lead-acid and NiCd battery technology, then compares these new safety requirements intended for assuring adequate ventilation to previous requirements.