Which battery for fire pumps & panels? You need to install an approved battery into your fire pump or panel. But how do you know which battery technology or brand is the correct one to install?
Valen has the solution for you with information and an answer to your questions.
The Problem
Consistent fault reports that wet-cell and flooded-cell batteries are ‘exploding’ have been received. Thought to be a result of failure and rupture of the battery casing, this is possibly due to internal gas accumulation, and in some cases ignition of this gas.
While these types of batteries typically have vent holes to allow gases to escape the casing, these are insufficient to expel a high rate of gas production. Gas build-up can swell the casing, which may lead to ruptures and leakage of the fluid.
It’s important to note that this isn’t a fault of the battery manufacturer, rather the wrong battery technology being installed.
Such failures may also render the diesel fire pump set inoperable, which may also affect the performance of the fire hydrant or sprinkler system it serves.
The Correct Battery
The battery deemed to satisfy provisions of the Building Code of Australia as referenced by Federal, State and Territory Governments across Australia, require fire hydrant and sprinkler systems to be installed in accordance with the following standards:
- AS2491.1-2005, Fire hydrant installations – System design, installation and commissioning
- AS2118.1-1999, Automatic fire sprinkler systems – General systems
- AS2118.4-1995, Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Residential
- AS2118.6-1995, Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Combined sprinkler and hydrant
All of these standards listed require pump sets associated with these systems to be installed in accordance with AS2941-2008, Fixed fire protection installations – Pumpset systems.
Clause 3.13.6 of AS2941-2008 requires a warning sign to be fixed adjacent to batteries serving fire pump sets, as follows:
AS2941-2008 references AS4029, which consists of three parts:
- AS4029.1-1994, Stationary batteries – Lead-acid – Vented type
- AS4029.2-2000, Stationary batteries – Lead-acid – Valve-regulated type
- AS4029.3-1993, Stationary batteries – Lead-acid – Pure lead positive pasted plate type
SSL Approval and Compliance
The SSL approval was established by Scientific Services Laboratory (SSL) to support the fire protection sector for a body responsible for the listing of fire equipment. Under this registration, Valen ensures their Valen Topin range:
- Complies with equipment through physical testing and appraisal to relevant standards,
- Recognises approvals and certifications by other national and international bodies,
- Provides reference documentation that supports the various building regulations and authority requirements for ‘Evidence of Suitability’ for equipment used in building construction such as fire cabinets and pumping equipment,
- Maintains a continuous process that provides means by which the conformity of changes to products are submitted and verified; and
- is on the register of Fire Protection Equipment, a list of products that meet the established reference.
The Solution
The Valen Topin is a rechargeable, deep cycle, Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) battery range. The VRLA technology is commonly referred to as Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) as the battery electrolyte is suspended in Absorbent Glass Matting (AGM), in comparison to automotive type batteries where the electrolyte is loose. This construction ensures that the Valen Topin battery range is robust, safe and maintenance-free.
Most importantly, the Valen Topin monobloc battery range holds the CSIRO ActivFire SSL approval and complies with AS4029.2, making it the battery of choice for the fire market. Stringent quality manufacturing and in-house testing allow the Valen Topin to deliver an 8-year design life in standby applications.
Gain a reliable and experienced battery supplier with Valen
Install SSL approved batteries, use the CCOLT, the preferred AS1851.2012 tester, to test your batteries.
To talk to one of our knowledgeable team members about your particular fire systems, click here to get in touch
