Alkaline Storage Batteries

the grounded terminal of the battery should be

When the batteries in a piece of equipment are

disconnected first when removing the battery

no longer capable of operating it, they should

and connected last when replacing the battery.

be removed immediately to avoid damage to the

equipment from electrolyte leakage.

Never allow salt water to enter a battery cell, as

chlorine gas, which is extremely toxic, will be

Never short-circuit the connections of a dry-

generated. Also, salt water should never be used

cell battery as some types of dry-cell batteries

to wash out battery cases and jars.

will explode when shorted out.

Make sure all terminal connections are tight to

prevent sparks due to loose connections.

RADIOACTIVE

ELECTRON TUBES

NSTM, chapter 313, also states that you should

wear fire-retardant engineering coveralls to provide

flash and fire protection when working with and

Electron tubes containing radioactive material are

around fire and explosive hazards created by batteries.

now commonly used. Some of these tubes contain

radioactive material that has intensity levels that are

dangerous; they are so marked according to

Alkaline Storage Batteries

MILSPECs. The majority of these tubes contain

radioactive cobalt (Co-60), radium (Ra-226), or

Alkaline storage batteries are also rechargeable.

carbon (C-14); several contain nickel (Ni-63); and a

They use potassium hydroxide for the electrolyte as

few contain cesium barium (CsBa-137).

opposed to sulfuric acid used in lead-acid storage

No great hazard exists as long as the electron tube

batteries. Defective or unserviceable alkaline storage

containing radioactive material remains intact.

batteries should not be thrown overboard, as they are

However, a potential hazard exists if the electron tube

considered to be potential pollutants. Disposal

is broken and the radioactive material escapes.

methods are contained in OPNAVINST 5100.19B,

Normally, the concentration of radioactivity in a

chapter B3, and NSTM, chapter 593.

normal collection of electron tubes at a maintenance

Use the same safety precautions for alkaline

shop does not approach a dangerous level, and the

storage batteries that you do for lead-acid storage

dangers of injury from exposure are slight. However,

batteries.

at major supply points, the storage of large quantities

of radioactive electron tubes in a relatively small area

Dry-Cell Batteries

may create a hazard.

Be sure you are aware of your command's policy

Dry-cell batteries cannot be recharged after they

concerning decontamination procedures before

are discharged. When these batteries are no longer

working on equipment containing radioactive tubes.

usable, you simply replace them with new batteries.

Some important instructions and precautions for the

Do not throw the old batteries overboard, as they are

proper handling of radioactive tubes are as follows:

also considered a potential pollutant. Disposal of

dry-cell batteries should also be according to

1. Radioactive tubes should not be removed from

OPNAVINST 5100.19B, chapter B3, and NSTM,

cartons until immediately before actual installation.

chapter 593. The safety precautions for dry-cell

2. When a tube containing a radioactive material

batteries are as follows:

is removed from equipment, it should be placed

Dry-cell batteries should not be shipped or

immediately in an appropriate carton to prevent

stored in the equipment with which they are

possible breakage.

to be used. They may become discharged,

3. A radioactive tube should never be carried in a

generating water in the cells, and the electrolyte

manner in which breakage can occur.

may leak out and damage the equipment.

4. If breakage does occur during handling or

When equipment operated by dry-cell batteries

removing of a radioactive electron tube, notify the

is to remain idle for more than 2 weeks, the

proper authority and obtain the services of qualified

batteries should be removed and then either

radiological controls personnel immediately.

scrapped or stored.

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