Datasheet

Product: RBC24
Schneider Electric Incorporated
132 Fairgrounds Road
West Kingston, RI 02892
Phone: [phone]
Page 6 of 7
SECTION 11: TRANSPORT INFORMATION
The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulatory requirements affecting the packaging and transportation of batteries
containing acid or alkali are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR Section 173.159. The batteries used
in APC Uninterruptible Power Supplies are non-spillable wet, electric storage batteries. When shipped in the original
factory packaging or contained within UPSs, batteries are excepted from the requirements of the DOT's hazardous
materials regulations because they meet the requirements of 49 CFR 173.159a.
A brief summary of the requirements to classify a battery as non-spillable follows:
• Batteries can be considered as non-spillable provided they are capable of withstanding a vibration test and
pressure differential test (173.159(f))
• Non-spillable batteries are subject to incident reporting requirements (173.159a(b))
• Non-spillable batteries are excepted from the packaging requirements of §173.159 under the following
conditions: (173.159a(c))
1. Non-spillable batteries must be securely packed in strong outer packagings and meet the requirements
of §173.159(a).
2. The battery and outer packaging must be plainly and durably marked “NON-SPILLABLE” or “NON-
SPILLABLE BATTERY.”
• Non-spillable batteries are excepted from all other requirements of this subchapter when offered for
transportation and transported in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section and the following: (173.159a(d))
1. (1) At a temperature of 55 °C (131 °F), the battery must not contain any unabsorbed free-flowing liquid,
and must be designed so that electrolyte will not flow from a ruptured or cracked case; and
2. For transport by aircraft, when contained in a battery-powered device, equipment or vehicle must be
prepared and packaged for transport in a manner to prevent unintentional activation in conformance
with §173.159(b)(2) of this Subpart. APC RBCs are packed in such a way to prevent short circuits,
securely packaged, marked "NON-SPILLABLE" or "NON-SPILLABLE BATTERY", and have been
tested by an independent laboratory in accordance with the DOT regulations. Therefore, they do not
require performance oriented packaging, hazardous materials markings (eg., UN number), or a
hazardous materials label.
The APC RBCs manufactured batteries listed above are also excepted from the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
pursuant to Special provisions A48, A67, A164, A183 and Packing Instruction 872. The words “Not Restricted” and the
Special Provision numbers must be included in the description of the substance on the Air Waybill as required by 8.2.6,
when an Air Waybill is issued (for APC RBCs, that would be A67)
Transportation of hazardous materials by sea is governed by the IMO’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG)
Code. Under the IMDG Code, in order to be classified as a non-spillable lead acid battery and excepted from sea
transportation regulations, the battery must meet the requirements of Special Provision 238.1 (which contains the
Vibration and Pressure Differential Tests referenced above) AND the requirements of Special Provision 238.2 noted
below.
IMDG Code Special Provision 238.2 – Non-spillable batteries are not subject to the provisions of this [IMDG] Code if, at a
temperature of 55° C, the electrolyte will not flow from a ruptured or cracked case and there is no free liquid to flow and
if, when packaged for transport, the terminals are protected from short circuit. APC batteries listed above are excepted
from IMDG regulations pursuant to the requirements above.
This notice is to clarify to shippers and transporters that APC Replaceable Battery Cartridges are packaged and
marked in accordance with 49 CFR 173.159a and are determined to be in compliance with DOT HMR49 Non-
Hazardous Materials, the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), Special Provisions S.P. A48, A67,
A164, A183 & Packaging Instruction 872 and IMDG S.P. 238.1 & 238.2. Therefore, these batteries are not
restricted for shipment by air, sea or ground and are exempted from the hazardous material category. Please
ensure that you follow the requirements of DOT, IATA and IMDG to ensure these exceptions remain applicable.