Tips and Tricks for a Compliant Battery Install

Written By Gui Dorf

Follow these simple Steps to Keep Your Battery Installs STC-Ready

 

The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) will be conducting audits of battery installations. We have highlighted the areas of an install we believe will be of importance to auditors. As this document isn’t exhaustive, we strongly encourage you to consult the relevant Australian Standards for further information.

Battery Location

The following key aspects should be considered when deciding on a location:

  • The battery should not be installed on a wall shared with a habitable room

    • A habitable room is considered a bedroom, living room, lounge room, kitchen, dining room, study, playroom, sunroom, etc.

    • A non-habitable room is considered a bathroom, laundry, garage, corridor, etc.

  • A clearance of 600mm either side and 900mm above is required

    • There must not be any of the following within the exclusion zone:

    • Systems not associated with the battery’s operation

    • Windows or openings into a habitable room

    • Weep vents into a habitable room (can be filled with a non-combustible compound)

  • Is the wall that the battery is mounted on made of a non-combustible material?

    • A suitable non-combustible material is brick or masonry block; concrete; compressed cement sheeting; ceramic or terracotta tiles.

    • If the wall is made of a combustible material (e.g. timbre), you must install a non-combustible material behind the battery (e.g. cement sheeting) in line with the sizing set out in ASNZS 5139.

Signage & Labels

All installs should include the following signage in accordance with AS/NZS 5139 and AS/NZS 4777

ON / NEXT TO BATTERY:

ON / NEXT TO INVERTER:

ON THE SWITCHBOARD:

 

Hazard & Risk Management

Risks and hazards associated with a home battery should be assessed and identified prior to the install. Controls should be implemented to mitigate potential issues during the lifecycle of the battery.

  • Smoke Alarms

If a battery is installed indoors (e.g. a garage), AS/NZS 5139 stipulates a smoke alarm should be installed in close proximity in case of combustion.

  • Bollards

If a battery is installed in an area accessible to vehicles (e.g. garage, driveway, car port), bollards should be installed to mitigate the issues caused by vehicular impact.

  • Fireproof Barrier

If the battery is mounted on a combustible wall (e.g. timber), a fireproof barrier (e.g. cement sheeting) must be installed between the battery and the wall. The barrier should be the height and width of the exclusion zone as outlined in the diagram on page 13 of this document. A fireproof barrier should also be installed on any combustible structures that are connected to the wall and within the exclusion zone (e.g. a fence or gate).

Gui Dorf
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