AOC HQ
GENERATOR
FOLLOW-UP REVIEW
AOC Headquarters Location
455 GOLDEN GATE
San Francisco, CA 95102
SWO 1047078
PREPARED FOR THE FACILITY
MANAGEMENT UNIT
Revision 0
16 November 2009
Administrative Office of the Courts
Office of Court Construction and Management
AOC Headquarters
Generator Follow-Up
Revision 0, 16 November 2009
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Administrative Office of the Courts
Office of Court Construction and Management
CONTENTS
PROJECT OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................ 1
TECHNICAL EVALUATION FROM 16 JULY 2009 REPORT ............................................................................. 2
RESPONSES TO INQUIRIES ............................................................................................................................. 4
ATTACHMENT 1: PROPOSED SINGLE LINE DIAGRAM & PANEL SCHEDULES .......................................... 5
ATTACHMENT 2: PROPOSED SCHEDULE ...................................................................................................... 9
ATTACHMENT 3: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - VFLA/GLASS MAT BATTERY TUTORAL ........................ 10
ATTACHMENT 4: CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE SECTION 608 ........................................................................... 13
ATTACHMENT 5: PLANNING PACKAGE COST WORKSHEET ..................................................................... 14
ATTACHMENT 6: POWERWARE QUOTE ....................................................................................................... 15
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Generator Follow-Up
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Administrative Office of the Courts
Office of Court Construction and Management
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The AOC headquarters offices are located in the State Office Building located at 455 Golden Gate, in San
Francisco. There is an existing mothballed 156.3 kVA generator which could be utilized for emergency power
generation. An evaluation was completed and a report was issued on 2 July 2009.
Several meetings have occurred and have resulted in the following inquiry/request for additional information.
The questions/directions are as follows;







Reselect the battery using a Eaton Powerware 9390 Series with AGM battery technology to
accommodate existing AOC PO funding sources
Locate the battery in a basement location with the number and size of existing and new conduits runs
to the third floor and basement transfer switch
Resized the battery to not to exceed 65 KVA and or 49.9 Gallons of stored battery acid to minimized
physical size and hazardous materials regulatory requirements.
Provide the type of AGM battery, number of AGM batteries and the physical external dimensions of
the entire UPS unit
Provide the estimated total weight of the batteries and supporting structure for installation on a
finished, housekeeping pad in the basement telephone location
Provide a tentative elapse time schedule including 3 week DGS plan check review after a decision is
made to proceed with project
Provide a estimated cost to install
o New, resized UPS battery unit
o Rigging cost to off load and transport UPS battery units and support frame structure
o Exclude the cost to purchase the battery in the estimate.
o Housekeeping pad
o New electrical conduit runs
o Replace and or upsizing of existing electrical conduits
o Electrical Grounding of UPS
o Seismic tie-downs/restrains
o Regulatory exhaust requirements for ventilation and excess heat generation
o UPS/Transfer/Generator Commissioning costs
o Required wiring to interconnect the UPS system to establish UPS/Generator/IS Network
connectivity.
o Third party plan check cost
o FPE Peer review of the entire design
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Generator Follow-Up
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Administrative Office of the Courts
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TECHNICAL EVALUATION FROM THE 14 JULY 2009 REPORT
There is a 156.3 kVA Generator located on the roof of 350 McAllister. It is an Onan Model 125FGEA, Serial
Number J970657328, Spec 91256K. The generator appears to be well maintained and the case heaters are
operational. The Generator is protected by a 480 volt, 225 amp, 3 phase breaker. The breaker is wired and
wire is running in a down feed conduit. The breaker is open (in the off position). There is a fuel storage tank
located in the same equipment penthouse as the generator.
In the basement of 350 McAllister there is an Onan Transfer Switch. Model UT 225, Serial I970648357, Spec
13581J. The Transfer Switch is also wired from the Main Distribution Panel and the generator and feeds a
local panel, Panel # REHBB, a 480 volt, 225 amp, 3 phase panel. The control toggle switch for the Transfer
Switch is in the off position making the Transfer Switch inoperable.
There is an existing 2 ½” Conduit day lighting above the transfer switch and runs to the 3rd floor of the AOC
Building (455 Golden Gate).
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Generator Follow-Up
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Located on the third floor of the State Building is the AOC Server Room. The Server Room has an existing
Uninterruptible Power System (UPS), System: Balanced Power, Model 65, Serial No. EQ252ZBA08.
The system appears to be operating correctly and the associated battery cabinet was in good condition and
the batteries showed no sign of damage from overcharging or high heat.
Based on observed needs and projected needs the following table represents the potential usage/load on the
generator:
Location
Basement
Basement
1st Floor
1st Floor
3rd Floor
3rd Floor
5th Floor
5th Floor
AOC Server Rm
AOC Server Rm
Supreme Court
Appellate
Court
Use
Phone Switch
HVAC
IDF
HVAC
IDF
HVAC
IDF
HVAC
Racks
Racks
Racks
Quantity
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
2
2
Volt
120
460
208
Amps
60
7.8
30
Phase
1
3
1
208
30
1
208
30
1
120
208
120
20
30
20
1
1
1
Racks
2
120
20
36.9 * 1000* 3.4 /12000 = Tonnage to Cool Loads
10
1
Subtotal Load at Server
Room
80% handle load
Tons
Total Load on Generator
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Generator Follow-Up
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kW
7.2
6.2
6.2
3.8
6.2
3.8
6.2
3.8
24.0
12.5
4.8
4.8
46.1
36.9
15.7
95.9
kW
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Generator Follow-Up
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RESPONSES TO INQUIRIES/QUESTIONS/DIRECTIVES







Reselect the battery using a Eaton Powerware 9390 Series with AGM battery technology to
accommodate existing AOC PO funding sources See attached quotation
Locate the battery in a basement location with the number and size of existing and new conduits runs
to the third floor and basement transfer switch The existing 2 ½” conduit will be utilized to run the
120/208 conductors to the (e) Server Room Panel. New 1 ¼” conduits (2) will be required. The
first will run to the basement Telco Room and the second will run to the 3 rd Floor IDF Room.
Both of these conduits will carry 480 volt conductors.
Resized the battery to not to exceed 65 KVA and or 49.9 Gallons of stored battery acid to minimized
physical size and hazardous materials regulatory requirements. A 60KVA Powerware 9390-80 UPS
has been specified. The total volume of electrolyte is 48.2 gallons.
Provide the type of AGM battery, number of AGM batteries and the physical external dimensions of
the entire UPS unit A E39 Battery has been specified. 40 batteries will be required. The battery
cabinet measures 42.7” wide by 31.6” deep and is 73” tall. The UPS unit is 18.9” wide by 31.6”
deep and is 73” tall.
Provide the estimated total weight of the batteries and supporting structure for installation on a
finished, housekeeping pad in the basement telephone location. The weight of the total package is
4,500 pounds.
Provide a tentative elapse time schedule including 3 week DGS plan check review after a decision is
made to proceed with project See attached schedule
Provide a estimated cost to install See attached Planning Package Cost Worksheet
o New, resized UPS battery unit
o Rigging cost to off load and transport UPS battery units and support frame structure
o Exclude the cost to purchase the battery in the estimate.
o Housekeeping pad
o New electrical conduit runs
o Replace and or upsizing of existing electrical conduits
o Electrical Grounding of UPS
o Seismic tie-downs/restrains
o Regulatory exhaust requirements for ventilation and excess heat generation See
Attachment 4 for CFC Section 608
o UPS/Transfer/Generator Commissioning costs
o Required wiring to interconnect the UPS system to establish UPS/Generator/IS Network
connectivity.
o Third party plan check cost
o FPE Peer review of the entire design
AOC Headquarters
Generator Follow-Up
Revision 0, 16 November 2009
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Administrative Office of the Courts
Office of Court Construction and Management
ATTACHMENT 1: PROPOSED SINGLE LINE DRAWING & PANEL SCHEDULES
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Generator Follow-Up
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AOC Headquarters
Generator Follow-Up
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AOC Headquarters
Generator Follow-Up
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ATTACHMENT 2: PROPOSED SCHEDULE
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ATTACHMENT 3: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What is a VFLA Battery? What is a Glass Mat Battery?
VRLA stands for valve-regulated lead-acid and is the designation for low-maintenance lead-acid rechargeable
batteries. Because of their construction, VRLA batteries do not require regular addition of water to the cells.
VRLA batteries are commonly further classified as:


Absorbent glass mat battery
Gel battery
These batteries are often colloquially called sealed lead-acid batteries, but they always include a safety
pressure relief valve. As opposed to vented (also called flooded) batteries, a VRLA cannot spill its elecrolyte if
it is inverted. Because VRLA batteries use much less electrolyte (battery acid) than traditional lead-acid
batteries, they are also occasionally referred to as an "acid-starved" design.
The name "valve regulated" does not wholly describe the technology; these are really "recombinant" batteries,
which means that the oxygen evolved at the positive plates will largely recombine with the hydrogen ready to
evolve on the negative plates, creating water—thus preventing water loss. The valve is strictly a safety feature
in case the rate of hydrogen evolution becomes dangerously high.

One result of this design is a much higher ratio of power to "floorspace" than large, flooded type
battery systems; another is a high-rate power capacity, though of relatively short duration. As a result,
VRLA batteries are frequently employed in UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or other high-rate
applications. Long duration applications such as telecommunications are not as well-suited to VRLA
batteries, as there are other, more applicable battery designs available.
Construction
These batteries have a pressure relief valve which will activate when the battery is recharged at high voltage
(typically greater than 2.30 volts per cell, a 12 volt battery has 6 cells). Valve activation allows some of the
active material to escape thus decreasing the overall capacity of the battery. The lids (covers) typically have
gas diffusers built into them that allow safe dispersal of any excess hydrogen that may be formed during
overcharge. They are not permanently sealed, but are maintenance free; and they can be oriented in any
manner, unlike normal lead-acid batteries which must be kept upright to avoid acid spills and to keep the
plates' orientation vertical.
At high currents, electrolysis of water occurs, expelling hydrogen and oxygen gas through the battery's
valves. Care must be taken to prevent short circuits and rapid charging. Charging with a constant voltage
(called the float charge voltage; 2.26 V per cell for a lead-acid chemistry) can cause a rapid initial current, so
therefore it is suggested to begin with a constant current, using constant voltage only for the final portion of
the charging. However, the float charge voltage should not be exceeded by much for typical usage, so the
switch between the two modes typically occurs when the float voltage is needed to sustain the charging
current through the battery's internal resistance (as per Ohm's Law). The easiest way to implement this is to
use a constant voltage device with a current limiter.
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Comparison with flooded lead-acid cells
Compared with flooded lead-acid cells, VRLA batteries offer several advantages. The battery can be mounted
in any position, since the valves only operate on over pressure faults. Since the battery system is designed to
be recombinant and eliminate the emission of gases on overcharge, room ventilation requirements are
reduced and no acid fume is emitted during normal operation. The volume of free electrolyte that could be
released on damage to the case or venting is very small. There is no need (nor possibility) to check the level
of electrolyte or to top up water lost due to electrolysis, reducing inspection and maintenance.
Absorbent glass mat (AGM)
Absorbent glass mat (AGM) is a class of VRLA battery in which the electrolyte is absorbed into a mat of fine
glass fibers. The plates in an AGM battery may be flat like a wet cell lead-acid battery in a rectangular case.
In cylindrical AGMs, the plates are thin and wound, like most consumer disposable and rechargeable cells,
into spirals so they are also sometimes referred to as spiral wound. Their unique (for lead acid chemistries)
construction also allows for the lead in their plates to be purer as they no longer need to support their own
weight as in traditional cells. Their internal resistance is lower than traditional cells due to plate proximity and
the pure lead plates have lower resistivity, they handle higher temperatures better, and self discharge more
slowly.
Their specific power is very good and they can be charged and discharged quite rapidly, however their
specific energy tends to be lower than traditional flooded batteries. They are often used in high performance
electric vehicles due to their high power density.
Gel battery
A gel battery
A gel battery (also known as a "gel cell") is a VRLA battery with a gelified electrolyte; the sulfuric acid is mixed
with a silica fume, which makes the resulting mass gel-like and immobile. Unlike a traditional wet-cell leadacid battery, these batteries do not need to be kept upright (though they cannot be charged inverted). In
addition, gel batteries virtually eliminate the electrolyte evaporation, spillage (and subsequent corrosion
issues) common to the wet-cell battery, and boast greater resistance to extreme temperatures, shock, and
vibration. These batteries are often colloquially referred to as sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries due to their
non-leaking containers, but they are not completely sealed; the valve regulation system allows for gas to be
expelled. Chemically they are the same as wet (non-sealed) batteries except that the antimony in the lead
plates is replaced by calcium. This preserves the mechanical characteristics but renders the construction far
less prone to gassing. The battery type is often referred to as a lead-calcium battery.
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Applications
Many modern motorcycles on the market utilize AGM or factory-sealed AGM batteries for the combined
benefits of reduced likelihood of acid-spilling during accidents, and for packaging reasons (lighter, smaller
battery to do the same job; the battery can be installed at an odd angle if needed for the design of the
motorcycle).
Due to the higher manufacturing costs compared with flooded lead acid batteries, AGM technology is
currently being used on premium vehicles. As vehicles become heavier and equipped with greater electronic
devices such as navigation, stability control, and premium stereos, AGM batteries are being employed to
lower vehicle weight and provide better electrical reliability compared with flooded lead acid batteries.
AGM batteries are routinely chosen for remote sensors such as ice monitoring stations in the Arctic. AGM
batteries due to their lack of free electrolyte will not crack and leak in these cold environments.
Gel cell batteries are used extensively in power wheelchairs, as the extremely low gas and acid output makes
them much safer for indoor use.
References
1. David Linden, Thomas B. Reddy (ed). Handbook Of Batteries 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York,
2002 ISBN 0-07-135978-8, Chapter 24
2. http://www.battcon.com/PapersFinal2009/ClarkPaper2009FINAL_12.pdf M.S. Clark LEADANTIMONY, LEAD-CALCIUM, LEAD-SELENIUM, VRLA, NI-CD. WHAT’S IN A NAME?, Battcon
2009 paper discussing types of battery systems, page 12-6
3. Donald G. Fink and H. Wayne Beaty, Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, Eleventh Edition,
McGraw-Hill, New York, 1978, ISBN 0-07020974-X page 11-116
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery
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Generator Follow-Up
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ATTACHMENT 4: CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 608
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ATTACHMENT 5: COST WORKSHEET
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ATTACHMENT 6: UPS QUOTATION
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