Under NFPA chapter 4, which information must be permanently marked on batteries?

Under NFPA chapter 4, which information must be permanently marked on batteries?

• A. Manufacture month and year
• B. Voltage rating
• C. Serial number
• D. Manufacturers name

Answer: (A)

The important idea here is that you must be able to tell how old a battery is, so you can plan for replacement and ensure reliability of the life-safety system. NFPA requirements for batteries used in fire alarm systems emphasize having a date code permanently marked on the battery. Manufacture month and year provide the age of the battery. Knowing the age lets you evaluate volatility in capacity, plan for end-of-life replacement, and schedule maintenance before a failure can occur. The other data—voltage rating, serial number, and manufacturer’s name—are useful for identification and specs, but they don’t tell you how old the battery is. Voltage rating is a static electrical spec; serial number may help trace parts, and the manufacturer’s name identifies who made it, but neither directly conveys the aging information needed for life-safety reliability.

The important idea here is that you must be able to tell how old a battery is, so you can plan for replacement and ensure reliability of the life-safety system. NFPA requirements for batteries used in fire alarm systems emphasize having a date code permanently marked on the battery.

Manufacture month and year provide the age of the battery. Knowing the age lets you evaluate volatility in capacity, plan for end-of-life replacement, and schedule maintenance before a failure can occur. The other data—voltage rating, serial number, and manufacturer’s name—are useful for identification and specs, but they don’t tell you how old the battery is. Voltage rating is a static electrical spec; serial number may help trace parts, and the manufacturer’s name identifies who made it, but neither directly conveys the aging information needed for life-safety reliability.