A UPS is commonplace in today's workplace.

But understanding of the risks attached is not.

The "standby time" that companies need from their UPS's ranges from 4 minutes for the safe shut-down of servers to 2 hours for the emergency maintenance of critical applications.

Each UPS is supplied with shutdown software as standard and an RS232 cable. This means that one load segment can be switched off prior to the other, therefore giving runtime priority to more critical equipment.

Batteries require regular maintenance during their serviceable life to ensure a reliable maximum standby condition, to ensure that the batteries are operating within the essential H & S environmental conditions and to avoid the potential financial consequences of failure.

Hazards:
Contact with eyes – causing irritation or damage
Contact with skin – may cause dermatitis or burns
Inhalation – may cause irritation or lung damage
Ingestion – can cause damage to kidneys

Unmaintained batteries:
Create risk of fire and explosion: hydrogen and oxygen gases are produced in the cells during normal battery operation (hydrogen is flammable and oxygen supports combustion).

Find a fault before a fault finds you:
The financial implications of battery failure is well documented: lost revenue, clean-up costs, litigation and interruption to customer service - for any business, health authority, utility supplier, transport, educational or any other organisation that relies on a telephone service to conduct day to day business.