QUESTION 10.2.2

Emergency battery condition and capacity

Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGEngine Room, Engine Control Room

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether emergency batteries, chargers and distribution arrangements can supply their assigned statutory loads for the required duration and remain safe from deterioration, leakage or loss of capacity.

Ready onboard

0/6 complete

IDENTIFICATIONEach emergency battery bank is labelled with its consumers, voltage, capacity and isolation arrangement.CHARGINGChargers, indications, alarms and changeover arrangements maintain the bank at the required condition.PHYSICAL STATECells, terminals, links, racks, ventilation and containment are clean, secure and free of corrosion, swelling or leakage.CAPACITY TESTCapacity or discharge testing follows maker, class and company intervals with results assessed against acceptance limits.ENVIRONMENTTemperature, ventilation and ignition controls match battery chemistry and room design.REPLACEMENTAge, weak cells and reduced capacity are tracked, with matched replacements and controlled disposal.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1What does this battery supply and for how long?

Trace the distribution diagram and state the approved emergency load and required endurance.

2How do you know its capacity remains adequate?

Use the latest discharge, conductance or approved capacity-test result and the maker or class acceptance criterion.

3What alarm indicates charger failure?

Identify the local and remote indication and explain the immediate response to preserve the load.

4What hazards arise from this battery chemistry?

Address hydrogen or toxic gas, thermal runaway, electrolyte, short circuit, ventilation and compatible firefighting as applicable.

5Can one failed cell simply be replaced?

Follow the maker and company criteria for matched cells, bank age, isolation and post-repair capacity verification.

Where an observation may arise

NO CAPACITY EVIDENCE

Voltage is normal but no valid capacity assessment exists.

CORROSION

Terminals, links or racks show deterioration or overheating.

CHARGER ALARM

Charging failure or alarm transfer is defective.

VENTILATION

Battery-space ventilation or ignition control is inadequate.

WRONG REPLACEMENT

Cells of unsuitable type, capacity or age are mixed without approval.

Master's practical note

Terminal voltage alone does not prove endurance. Link the battery to its statutory duty and review the capacity trend, weakest cell and charger-failure response.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: Inspection and test method depend on battery chemistry and maker instructions. Avoid unsafe discharge, short-circuit or ventilation tests during an inspection.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 2, Version 1.0, Question 10.2.2
SOLAS Chapter II-1 regulations 42 and 43
IEC 60092-305
Manufacturer battery and charger instructions

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10