GS Yuasa, a leading European manufacturer of industrial batteries, is warning fire and security professionals about the financial and reputational risks of using improperly sized standby batteries in life-safety systems.
According to recent regulatory inspection trends, an increasing number of fire and alarm systems are failing compliance checks due to incorrectly sized batteries. This issue not only compromises safety but also leads to costly delays and rework for installers, integrators, and their clients.
The Importance of Proper Battery Sizing
The British Standard BS 5839-1 requires fire alarm and emergency systems to operate for a minimum standby period during a power outage. If a battery is undersized, it can fail to meet this crucial requirement, resulting in a failed inspection.
This can lead to significant setbacks, including:
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Costly Remedial Work: Needing to buy additional batteries, reconfigure layouts, or operate with reduced loads until the issue is fixed.
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Contractual Penalties: Incurring fines or penalties for project delays.
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Damaged Reputation: Losing client trust and professional credibility.
Matthew Elwick, Technical Manager at GS Yuasa, explains, “We’re increasingly seeing cases where battery sizing has been overlooked or calculated incorrectly, which leads to non-compliance during inspection. Correctly sizing the battery from the outset not only ensures compliance but also avoids costly delays, rework, or penalties further down the line.”
Why Choose GS Yuasa?
GS Yuasa offers a range of services and products to help professionals ensure compliance and project success:
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Tailored Technical Support: The GS Yuasa team provides precise, site-specific calculations based on real load data. They also adjust for factors like temperature and discharge rates to ensure accuracy.
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Comprehensive Resources: Access custom datasheets, guidance on proper charging and ventilation, and support for tools like the GYT117 conductance tester.
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Expertise in Standards: The company offers guidance and support with key standards, including BS 5839-1 and UL certification. Their batteries are supplied with UL94:V0 flame-retardant casings for added safety.
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Professional Training: Free webinars and training sessions are available for installers, OEMs, and service teams to help them stay up-to-date on best practices.
The Trusted Choice for Professionals
GS Yuasa’s VRLA NP range is widely used by fire and security professionals across Europe. With a reputation for proven performance, a long service life, and full compliance with safety standards, these batteries are a reliable choice for life-safety systems.
