How will you design a perfect Lean Battery Room

The use of forklift battery keeps upward, pushing as business grow to be greater awareness of their company social responsibilities, aiming to have as little negative environmental effect as feasible from their operations.

Whether operating a single unit or a fleet of forklifts you'll want to have a chosen lean battery charging station to charge batteries whilst essential.

This article will examine lean battery charging room design, taking off some key layout concerns in order to make certain a secure battery charging room.

·         Acid resistant floors

Because of the corrosive nature of battery acid, the flooring of a lean battery charging room ought to be resistant to acid harm, so that you can additionally lead to an easier smooth-up in the case of a spill. Not having an acid resistant floor structural damage may additionally occur in the case of a spill.

·         Proper air flow

While recharging and for a quick period after the charge is completed forklift batteries provide off hydrogen fuel, which is why right air flow is imperative to make certain the safety of workers within the immediate region of lean battery charging station.

Further, the ventilation may be furnished through right manner, inclusive of openings at the pinnacle of buildings or can be automatically assisted via the setup of exhaust fans.

·         Ventilation Stands and exhaust duct community

The lean battery room has designed to capture hydrogen fuel with or without pressured air flow. In a case, a gas exits the batteries, it goes through a network of ducts to soundly go out the constructing with the assist of the Hydrogen Exhaust Fan (HEF). Further, when the lean Battery Room Ventilation System is used in conjunction with the Electrical Distribution System, the non-compulsory Charger Shutdown disables the charger whilst a high quantity of hydrogen (approximately higher than 2%) is found within the area. After discontinuing the chargers, the supply of hydrogen gas is interrupted.

·         Correct charging point set up

When designing a battery charging room, it's miles crucial that charging factors are mounted efficaciously. Chargers should be wall installed and geared up with emergency prevent breakers to prevent the float of energy in an emergency. Further, when charging more than one unit right now there must additionally be a minimum of 1 metre gap the complete manner spherical, each machine for easy get right of entry to while necessary.

It is suggested to install a good design of a lean battery station in your warehouses which helps to increase the lifespan of the forklift batteries. 

Safety tips for forklift battery storage room

Building a safe battery storage room for your forklift truck batteries is just as significant as any other aspect of forklift truck safety. In reality these rooms are mostly overlooked by the companies while experiencing other operating charges.

Batteries need to be properly stored. In fact, there are several factors that should be noticed while storing a forklift battery in a storage room. Let’s discuss in detail:

1.      Air quality

As we know, the battery charging process generates gasses, incorporating hydrogen that may result in adverse exposures for workers especially working near to it. Actually, air quality is mostly overlooked.

Lack of exhaust systems and facilities in our forklift battery storage room may result in inefficient working of batteries. The best way to consider your air quality is to add an exhaust system that has a certified industrial hygienist conduct air monitoring.

2.      Personal protective equipment

PPE or personal protective equipment is very imperative when working in the battery storage room, this includes the following:

·         Recommended face shield and goggles

·         Recommended rubber apron

·         Recommended acid-resistant gloves

·         Recommended acid-resistant footwear

·         Appropriate volume of neutralizer

·         The appropriate volume of ABC fire extinguishers which are properly maintained

3.      Automated battery changers

When you are dealing with automated riding or walking battery changers make sure you train your employees to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance tips and tricks. If you have a small area then you can use any battery changer but if you have a wide area then an automated riding battery changer is the perfect option.

No matter what size of unit you have, while servicing the charger, you should follow the safe work practice requirements.

4.      Training

Forklift employees and operators who change forklift batteries must receive formal and documented training as prescribed By OSHA. It includes:

·         Safe work practices

·         Required procedures for battery changing

·         Safely handling of personal protective equipment

·         Inspection requirement

5.      Eyewash and shower

A shower and eye wash system are important and to be installed in the forklift battery storage room as it may be used by any employee in the case of any accident.

As per my experience, these systems are rarely installed in any storage room as it allows an easy way to flush out any acid in the case of any emergency.

Remember all these battery room safety tips if already has a battery room or going to construct as these are also as important as battery maintenance and safety tips.

Daily inspection to-dos for forklift battery

Are you just looking for your forklift battery in the morning and getting to work? While stepping down to commercial enterprise is manifestly vital but daily forklift battery inspection is not supposed to be skipped off as it is equally important. The easiest way of checking that your forklift battery is operating well can save your enterprise severe downtime and money ultimately and help save you forklift injuries.

OSHA not only suggests, however, requires that every forklift battery should be examined at the least once before its use. This step comprises two parts i.e. visual check that includes partial inspection and operational inspection that includes thorough internal checking of each item available in a forklift battery.

#1 Visual Check

The visual check is done by the operator in which he should make their way around the forklift battery in a circle. This will help them to detect any default at once. It does not include a thorough inspection but it can also be helpful in cases where operator is willing to do work more quickly.

#2 Operational Check

Once the visual check is completed, the next and important step is to do an operational check. During this, the complete list of items should be inspected. Let’s have a look at the items you have to check when making an operational inspection:

·       Check the sulphuric acid: As a forklift battery contains sulphuric acid, make sure to check its presence otherwise you might get some burns.

·         Check all the vent caps: Before using your forklift battery, please check all the vents are properly closed and cleaned especially after each watering.

·         Check the water levels: Please check carefully the water level before any start. Overfilled forklift batteries are also dangerous.

·         Check the dust particles available inside or outside: The dust particles available around or inside the forklift battery is dangerous as it will affect the efficient working of a battery.

A complete or operation check of a forklift battery is not possible daily so it will be good if you do it twice or thrice in a week as it can detect any fault that will, in turn, affect your forklift truck when executing any operation.  

Tips on How to increase a forklift truck battery life

Battery maintenance is a significant factor that at times is missed by the users working in the warehouse. This important factor if noticed well in time will result in proper functioning of a forklift battery.

Furthermost, the effective maintenance of a battery can extend its life, which in flip allows in extending the life of a forklift truck.

Let’s consider following guides to know how to do this:

FIRST, TEACH YOURSELF

Before starting any operation in a battery make sure to get you prepare yourself well for it. Keep in mind that every charge will take a cycle out of a forklift battery. Practically, a new forklift battery has features around 1500 cycles. When all the cycles come to an end, make sure to call a new battery. It is advised to teach yourself thoroughly regarding all the precautions required while handling with a battery.

BEST, IF YOU CHECK THE FLUID LEVELS

It will be best if you thoroughly check the fluid levels in your battery. Make sure to check H2O levels and its covering regularly. In a case the fluid levels ought to be topped up, only use adequate amount to cover the plastic element protector by means of roughly a half of a cm. For more safety, never overfilling the battery, it will result in overheating and acid loss.

WHAT TO AVOID?

When working near the forklift battery, some things you are supposed not to do:

·         Smoking

·         Untrained Operations

·         Overcharging

·         Carelessly working near it

WHAT TO CHECK

It will be good to keep in mind the following factors while working near a forklift battery:

·         Don’t keep any metal object in your pocket

·         Use temporary plastic covers over the battery terminals while working on it

·         Preserve batteries far away from a direction of ignition

·         Never carry a heavy battery by myself, get support whether it is too heavy

·         Invariably wear gloves and accurate eye protection

·         Invariably wear a plastic apron and flexible boots when dealing with battery chemicals

·         Wash your fingers wholly after operating with batteries. 

GOOD JOB, IF YOU CALL A PROFESSIONAL

In a case of a fault, make sure to call a professional instead of trying it yourself. Because, a battery has composed of cells which may be difficult to handle, so it will be good if you will call a professional for a repair.

When all the above-described factors will follow by the operators, then the forklift battery gets proper functioning resulting in the increase in its life.

Guide on how to fill water in Forklift Battery

The conventional lead-acid battery comprises o fa liquid “electrolyte” which is a combination of water and sulphuric acid. Each cell present in a battery settle on within its own vented container often called as “jar”. This jar is used to provide active material bathed in electrolyte whilst small quantities of oxygen and hydrogen gases present there are freely released. These gases are used to identify the breakdown products of water and suggest that water is being used up to a few degrees and need to replace.

Mostly, a lead acid battery does not require much of the maintenance. It quantities to a periodic checking of the electrolyte degree and water additions weekly, or less most often relying on individual duty cycles. An aftermarket watering procedure, hooked up to the battery in place of the vent caps simplifies this method even further.

Some questions on battery watering:

What kind of acid supposed to add in a battery?

Don’t add any type of acid in a battery. Under normal conditions, a forklift battery only loses water in the form of oxygen, hydrogen and vapour. So you need to add water only. In a case, if the battery’s cells have lost acid, then you are advised to call a trained battery technician.

Why does forklift battery overflow?

The forklift battery overflows occasionally. If you are noticing this kind of problem, then follow the two- step process:

·         Before charging your forklift battery make sure to add water up to a mark showing low liquid level.

·         After completion of a charging, add water up to a level showing vent opening barrel. In other words, add water about the ¾ inch beyond the top of the cell.

These two steps will prevent overflow. Step first reveals that the electrolyte level has not gone too low and uncovered the plates to air for the charge cycle. Step second, pushes the level up to full height at a time when unintentional overfilling would not be the main issue.

Is distilled water required to add in the forklift battery?

The answer is no. Adding tap water in a battery is sufficient. I get more knowledge about the areas where the hard water is required to add, please consult the battery manufacturer.

Can I charge a battery without adding caps after watering?

Please, don’t do such type of mistake. Caps are not required to prevent foreign material from entering in the battery. In fact, these are required to stop loss of acid mist during its charging.

How to best use Forklift Batteries

With regular advancement in technology the electric forklift has turned up at the highest position. This forklift has many features over a traditional one. To preserve a forklift running safely and to lengthen its existence it's quintessential to hold its battery working effectually. Let's have a look how to make the best use of the forklift battery:

1.      DON’T BE LAZY, Charge your forklift battery appropriately

It is observed that an executor is charging his forklift’s battery as per his needs. It is advised to safely preserve a forklift battery. It should be good to charge at targeted times and to prescribed degree. Perpetually charge your forklift battery when it dips beneath 30% charge. Don’t let your battery over or undercharge. If that is so, it will tremendously decline its lifespan.

2.      NEVER NEGLECT, make sure to keep water levels maintained

The levels are often not equal, in such scenarios top off the fluid in the forklift battery. This shall be principal done after every 10 charges whether it is manufacturer new via adding enough water to quilt the battery's plastic aspect protector. Please don't overfill the batteries in a case of a hurry.

3.      BE CONSCIOUS, fast charging have to be completed with the best vigilance

The rapid charging of your forklift battery would shrink downtime through as so much as 10%, however, there is an expense. The immoderate warmness generated can scale back the battery existence. We're not suggesting that you will have to not ever quick expense, most effective that you just put it aside for emergencies.

4.      KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN, storing the forklift battery at a safe temperature

The forklift trucks can be used in different environments. So it is advised to store it in a safe temperature especially when it is not in use. Retaining your forklift battery at a right temperature, not more than 45℃ (113℉), will undoubtedly raise its life span.

5.      BEST TO PREPARE A LOGBOOK, keeping a record of all important information

Make a record of all progress done in a forklift battery because it contains white crystals required regular checking. Make sure to keeping a record of even a single maintenance with a purpose to ignore the future circumstances.

When the forklift battery’s operator, make sure to remember all above-mentioned tips to make its best use will actually lengthen the life span.

What purpose does a Battery Room Ventilation System serve

Effective Battery Room Ventilation System is imperative because it helps to diffuse dangerous gases. As you know, The Lead-acid batteries release hydrogen gas at the time of charging process. The BHS Battery Room ventilation system (BRVS) is specially designed to examine hydrogen gasoline at low phases and dissipate the gas to preclude accumulation.

Functionality

The BRVS comprises Hydrogen Gas Detector (HGD), Hydrogen Exhaust Fan (HEF), Ventilation Stands, and exhaust duct work into one complete process.

Hydrogen Gas Detector: It is used to screen hydrogen gas stages and alarms with warning if it notices any kind of mismatch.

Hydrogen Exhaust Fan: It will run when the awareness of hydrogen gasoline has reached 1% or higher. This selection will assist a facility lower your expenses by way of each decreasing the run time of the fans and via stopping the useless escape of climate-controlled air.

Ventilation Stands and exhaust duct network: These are designed to capture hydrogen fuel with or without pressured ventilation. In case, a fuel exits the batteries it goes through a network of ducts to soundly exit the constructing with the help of the Hydrogen Exhaust Fan (HEF).

When the Battery Room Ventilation System is used in conjunction with the EDS (Electrical Distribution System), the optional Charger Shutdown disables the chargers when a high amount of hydrogen (approximately higher than 2%) is found in the area. After disabling the chargers, the supply of hydrogen gas is stopped.

Features and Benefits of using BRVS

·         This system raises battery room protection by way of monitoring hydrogen stages

·         It upgrades the battery room quality by exhausting gases produced for the duration of battery charge

·         It adds a fire fighter’s shutdown device

·         It deplete damper on each stand provides even airflow for the duration of the complete method

·         It includes Spiral metal exhaust pipe for introduced durability

·         It has custom designs to be had to fit all of your battery changing specifications

·         This system comprises the pipes that are set up to the stands, getting rid of both the have to attach to rafters and problems caused via high ceilings  

·         It helps to reduce the risk of explosion by concentrating the hydrogen gas as it produces by the batteries are lighter than air which may easily rise to the top of a building.

It is suggested to install the Battery Room Ventilation System in your warehouses which helps increase the lifespan of the forklift batteries.