Method Statement for Basic Maintenance of Substation
Battery System (Plante), No. SMD1B0HA.
Date Started: 16/11/2005.
Date Completed: 17/11/2005.
Reference Number: CMHRFBB11.
Persons Involved: Colin Hepton, Richard Foster, Bob Boddy (SAP Equivalent for
this Method Statement).
This method statement is strictly for use with the equipment mentioned in the title of
this document. It may, however, be altered for use with similar equipment.
Aim
To perform a basic maintenance as defined in Maintenance Document number
SMD1B0HA.
Method
This Method Statement is to be used in conjunction with the Maintenance document
already mentioned and a Certificate for Live LV Work (CLLVW). It is very important
that the work must be carried out by one person only, with someone in the general
vicinity to act as a safety observer in case of emergency. It is also important that the
work be carried out by a person competent to UK/BP/SE/NSI 12, as the battery
system will be live throughout the duration of the work.
1. Area of work to be demarcated to prevent unauthorised access to the work area.
This should be carried out in accordance with UK/BP/SE/NSI 6.
2. The CLLVW should be issued to the Person that is to undertake the work. The
Person receiving this document must understand the content of the document
completely, as they will be working on their own, with only a safety observer in
case of emergency. A toolbox talk should be given by the SAP issuing the
document to discuss the permit, method statement and risk assessment and any
issues arising. Any equipment to be used should be calibrated and signed out.
3. Before beginning the work inside the demarcated area, care should be taken to
begin with, and finish with a tidy work area. This may or may not require objects
to be removed from the area. Advice should be sought from the SAP if this is the
case.
4. The person receiving the document may wish to consult the technical reference
document SMD1TRHA for information and diagrams relating to the battery
system.
5. The charger should be examined first to determine the Voltage and Current of the
charger.
6. The grey covers that cover the terminals on the battery system should be removed,
allowing access to the terminals. Measurements of V and I for the battery (and
cells) as per the maintenance document can be made (as well as the condition of
the terminals checked).
7. The white covers on the cells should be removed, allowing access to the
electrolytic solution in order for specific gravity (using a hydrometer) and
temperature (using a thermometer) to be measured.
8. Impedance tests are not to be done in this case, as the necessary equipment is not
available.
9. The battery charger should be turned off and the battery system allowed to run
unsupported for 5 minutes.
10. The cells should be cleaned, taking care to ensure that the ventilation apertures are
clear.
11. Upon completion of tests, all the white covers are to be replaced and the grey
covers replaced over the contacts.
References
SMD1B0HA – Basic Maintenance of Battery System (Plante).
COSHH Assessment – Battery Acid.
Risk Assessment – CMHRFBB11.
CLLVW Permit – CMHRFBB11.
SMD1TRHA – Technical Guidance for Battery System (Plante).
UK/BP/NSIs 6 and 12.