TM 9-6140-200-14
WARNING
To prevent injury to personnel or damage to equipment,
the battery gas volatility descriptions below should be
brought to the attention of all battery maintenance
personnel and similar statements posted where battery
maintenance is performed.
d. Battery Gases Are Explosive.
(1) Battery Gases During Charging Operations, When a battery is being
charged, it releases a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases. These
gases can explode if a spark or flame is brought too near the charging
battery. Any room or compartment where charging batteries are confined
should be well ventilated. Do not allow flames or sparks near filler cap
vent openings.
NOTE
If a new recharged battery shows a difference
of more than 0.025 specific gravity between cells,
the battery is unserviceable.
(2) Static Battery Gases. Small quantities of hydrogen gas are given off at
negative plates of lead-acid batteries, even when the battery cells are not
being charged. It must, therefore, be assumed that explosive mixture of
hydrogen gas are present within and around battery cells at all times. A
torch, match, flame, lighted cigarette, or any spark from metal tools
accidentally contacting the battery terminals, could cause ignition of these
gases.
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