California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 18 - Ship Building, Ship Repairing and Ship Breaking Safety Orders
Article 6 - Precautions
Section 8386 - Storage Batteries-Submarines

(a) When installing batteries or when battery deck is up, no other work shall be undertaken or carried on until battery deck is in place.

(b) Batteries shall not be charged aboard the boat unless the battery ventilating system is coupled up and working, discharging outside of boat. If this is not possible, the compartment shall be ventilated by a blower located on deck, and discharging free from the boat.

(c) The ventilating systems shall be run at full speed for at least one-half hour after completion of a charge.

(d) During charging of batteries, frequent tests shall be made of the air in the battery exhaust trunk for the presence of hydrogen. Not over 3 percent of hydrogen gas shall be permitted to exist at any time in this trunk.

(e) Open lights shall not be allowed in the battery compartment during charging and for 1 hour after finishing. Explosion-proof type of portable lights shall be used if ship's lighting is not available.

(f) When battery deck is up, no hot work or work requiring open lights shall be undertaken until battery ventilating system has been running for one-half hour and the supervisor directly responsible has given written orders for work to proceed.

(g) One or more carbon dioxide-type fire extinguishers rated 10-B:C or larger shall be placed in each battery compartment as soon as the installation of the batteries has begun.

(h) All cells shall be kept sealed from time of starting installation until an adequate or equivalent ventilating system is operating.