A battery-powered mobile medical cart may be associated with a number of hazards.
A battery in a mobile medical cart may be lithium or lead acid. It often needs to be large in order to provide power for several hours.
The battery may:
(1) ignite
(2) explode
(3) overheat
(4) smoke
(5) release acid
Additional hazards occur if the cart is:
(1) near a source of oxygen, fuel or flammable material.
(2) in a poorly ventilated or confined space
(3) near a person unable to get away if there is a problem
A lithium battery fire may be very difficult to exstinguish. A battery may also reignite hours later after it appears to be extinguish.
Possible indications of a problem:
(1) obtained from an unregulated manufacturer
(2) detection of excessive heat
(3) deteection of smoke
(4) failure to charge properly
(5) bulging, cracking, discolored or swelling
(6) visible signs of physical damage, misuse or poor maintenance
(7) unexplained material on or around batteries
