§173.220. Internal combustion engines, vehicles, machinery containing internal combustion engines, battery-powered equipment or machinery, fuel cell-powered equipment or machinery. — Inbound Citations

(a) Electric storage batteries, containing electrolyte acid or alkaline corrosive battery fluid (wet batteries), may not be packed with other materials except as provided in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section and in §§ 173.220 and 173.222; and any battery or battery-powered device must be prepared and packaged for transport in a manner to prevent:

(1) A dangerous evolution of heat (i.e., an amount of heat sufficient to be dangerous to packaging or personal safety to include charring of packaging, melting of packaging, scorching of packaging, or other evidence);

(i) Packaging each battery or each battery-powered device when practicable, in fully enclosed inner packagings made of electrically non-conductive material;

(ii) Separating or packaging batteries and battery-powered devices in a manner to prevent contact with other batteries, devices or electrically conductive materials (e.g., metal) in the packagings; or

(iii) Ensuring exposed terminals are protected with electrically non-conductive caps, electrically non-conductive tape, or by other appropriate means; and;

(3) If not impact resistant, the outer packaging must not be used as the sole means of protecting the battery terminals from damage or short circuiting. Batteries must be securely cushioned and packed to prevent shifting which could loosen terminal caps or reorient the terminals. Batteries contained in devices must be securely installed. Terminal protection methods include but are not limited to:

(i) Securely attaching covers of sufficient strength to protect the terminals;

(ii) Packaging the battery in a rigid plastic packaging; or

(iii) Constructing the battery with terminals that are recessed or otherwise protected so that the terminals will not be subjected to damage if the package is dropped.

(j) Except as provided in § 173.220(f) of this subchapter, the provisions of this subchapter do not apply to items of equipment such as fire extinguishers, compressed gas accumulators, airbag inflators and the like which are installed in the vehicle if they are necessary for the operation of the vehicle, or for the safety of its operator or passengers.

(j) Except as provided in § 173.220(f) of this subchapter, the provisions of this subchapter do not apply to items of equipment such as fire extinguishers, compressed gas accumulators, airbag inflators and the like which are installed in the engine or machinery if they are necessary for the operation of the engine or machinery, or for the safety of its operator or passengers.