MGI Motor and Generator Institute

Evelyn Dougherty • April 16, 2026

One of the major causes of an emergency generator not to start is starting batteries. Corrosion, sulfation, and loss of electrolyte are the most common reasons. With proper maintenance and testing, these failures can be prevented and extend the life of your battery. Not caring for your starting batteries could cost the life of a patient, or possible financial loss, from extensive downtime.


In this article, we will explain the different types of generator starting batteries and battery conductance testing.

See MGI website: www.mgiepss.com  under blog or https://www.mgiepss.com/blog/battery-conductance


Generator Starting Batteries

There are three types of batteries in use today for emergency and standby power systems, flooded lead-acid, valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA), and nickel-cadmium (NiCad). Each includes charging plates and are subject to electrolyte loss. During charging, hydrogen and oxygen vents from the battery decreasing levels of electrolyte. Improper maintenance and charging could severely limit the life of your starting batteries.


Flooded Lead-Acid

Flooded lead-acid batteries include a removable cap for each cell, allowing visual inspection of the battery plates and electrolyte level. Venting is standard during charging. To replenish electrolyte levels always use deionized water. If electrolyte levels are not “topped off” during scheduled maintenance, permanent damage may occur.


VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead-Acid)

Valve regulated batteries, also known as “maintenance free” or sealed batteries, do not have a removable cap. Instead, gas escapes through vents designed to release at increased pressure levels. The term “sealed” means there is no way to access the individual battery cells as you can with a flooded lead-acid battery. Therefore, the battery charger must be set correctly to prevent the battery from drying out. Electrolyte levels are not replenishable.


Nickel Cadmium or “NiCad”

While not as common as lead-acid, the nickel-cadmium battery, or NiCad, is best for its ability to operate through a high-temperature range. It has a higher life span and fewer maintenance requirements. Also, NiCad batteries initially cost more than lead-acid and include cadmium, a potentially hazardous material.


Battery Conductance Testing

Lead-acid and NiCad batteries have been around for a long time. However, until the introduction of the battery conductance tester, battery maintenance was a slow and challenging process. Taking specific gravity readings from each battery cell and recording on maintenance checklists is time-consuming. The use of a hydrometer is no longer needed.


Maintenance Requirements

NFPA 110, 8.3.6.1 “Battery conductance testing shall be permitted in lieu of the testing of specific gravity when applicable or warranted.”

With the battery conductance tester, personnel can save time and money with more accurate results, quickly identify battery health, and uncover potential problems before an actual emergency. Batteries fail due to buildup on charging plates. This buildup disrupts the flow of energy increasing the batteries resistance to charge. A battery conductance test will measure impedance and provide a report on the batteries health.


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before performing any maintenance or testing task, appropriate PPE is mandatory. Personal protective equipment should include gloves, apron, and goggles or a face shield. Visually inspect the battery for any signs of:

  • Cracking, buckled, or leaking cases.
  • Corroded, loose, or damaged cables and connections.
  • Corrosion on the battery terminals.
  • Dirt or acid on the case top.


Testing Procedures

Depending on the brand of battery conductance tester, set up may vary. The tester should guide you through the steps in selecting the correct settings. The most important will be “Cold Cranking Amps” or CCA. This specification is the measure of a battery’s ability to supply a certain amount of power for a short period. Make sure the CCA setting is identical to the rating of your battery.


When connecting the battery conductance tester to the battery ensure the positive (+) clamp attaches to the positive terminal, and the negative (-) clamp connects to the negative terminal. Make sure both clamps grip the terminals. A poor connection will prevent testing. Most testers will indicate if the link is weak or not so you can make adjustments if necessary. Some also come pre-installed with a printer, or the ability to add one, or transfer the data to a computer for further analysis and archiving.


Conclusion

Whichever method you choose, written, printed, or electronic format, ensure you keep good records. Analyzing results over time will allow you to make informed maintenance decisions and avoid costly downtime. Although conductance testing will give you a good indication of the batteries health, cranking voltage is the truest test of readiness. Be on the lookout for an additional article on Voltage Drop Testing in our upcoming news.

ASHRAE 170 2025 Edition Ventilation rqmnt changes

October 15, 2026
The memo specifies the roles of state and federal agencies versus accrediting organizations when facilities temporarily lose their Medicare-deemed status May 4, 2026 | Leah Hummel On March 25, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued revised memo QSO-18-12-Deemed Providers/Suppliers to clarify the roles of accrediting organizations (AOs) and state survey agencies (SAs) when a provider’s or supplier’s Medicare-deemed status is temporarily removed due to condition-level noncompliance. CMS may temporarily remove deemed status when an SA or federal survey team identifies condition-level deficiencies. When this occurs, the CMS location formally notifies the organization and places it under the jurisdiction of the state survey agency, rather than the AO. The revised memo reinforces that accrediting organizations must suspend or postpone Medicare deeming recertification surveys while deemed status is removed. Importantly, CMS clarifies that if a provider’s regular 36-month accreditation cycle lapses during this period, the AO will not be cited as late or noncompliant for missing the survey. CMS also notes that while non-deeming accreditation surveys are not prohibited during state oversight, CMS recommends postponing these activities to avoid confusion or duplication while the organization works toward regaining compliance. The revised guidance also provides additional clarification on complaint investigations, emphasizing the need for coordination between SAs and AOs. During temporary removal of deemed status, the SA maintains primary responsibility for investigating complaints, while keeping the AO appropriately informed. Why this matters for facilities For hospitals and health systems, including facilities and physical environment leaders, the memo underscores the importance of understanding who has regulatory authority during periods of noncompliance. While temporary loss of deemed status due to a state survey agency or federal team survey does shift oversight of follow-up activities it does not penalize organizations or their AOs for unavoidable survey delays while corrective actions are underway. Leah Hummel, AIA, CHFM, SASHE, CHC, CHOP, is senior associate director of ASHE Regulatory Affairs 

CMS Clarifies Oversight

October 15, 2026
In the June 3, 2026 article by Matthew Daniel in Health Facilities Management, entitled Are Joint Commission environment of care management plans still required?, Matt explains many good reasons why facilities should consider keeping their management plans even though since January 2026, they are no longer required (except for ambulatory care). He explains that “while the formatting of its standards would change, JC made it clear that the requirements themselves would not and that hospitals and CAHs should not make changes to their existing programs since they are still held to CMS’s requirements.” “In its January 2026 issue of Environment of Care News, JC stated that hospitals and CAHs are no longer required to have environment of care management plans for each of the … physical environment areas. The newsletter stated that “except for ambulatory care organizations, Joint Commission no longer requires a written management plan or separate plans addressing each of the physical environment functional areas: safety, security, hazardous materials and waste, utilities, and medical equipment.” JC further clarified that the only management plans that will be evaluated during a survey will be the organization’s fire response plan, water management plan and emergency operations plan.” Mr. Daniel gives many good reasons for keeping elements of the management plans including the fact that “ the management plans are used by organizations to not only provide a roadmap to all of the required aspects of the standards for each respective plan but also to ensure that any supporting policies or procedures also are incorporated into the program — whether it’s an internal policy or procedure or a requirement of the accreditation process.” He concludes his article by stating, “While the requirement for environment of care management plans is not contained in JC’s new Physical Environment Chapter for hospitals and CAHs, the foundation of organizational compliance within the physical environment is still required, and continuing the process of evaluating and updating these management plans provides a path to help ensure continuous compliance.”  For a copy of the full article see Matthew Daniel . Matthew Daniel, CHSP, is a senior consultant at Daniel Consulting LTD. He can be reached at matthew.daniel@danielconsulting.net.

Keeping EoC Mgt Plans

October 15, 2026
In the June 3, 2026 article by Matthew Daniel in Health Facilities Management, entitled Are Joint Commission environment of care management plans still required?, Matt explains many good reasons why facilities should consider keeping their management plans even though since January 2026, they are no longer required (except for ambulatory care). He explains that “while the formatting of its standards would change, JC made it clear that the requirements themselves would not and that hospitals and CAHs should not make changes to their existing programs since they are still held to CMS’s requirements.” “In its January 2026 issue of Environment of Care News, JC stated that hospitals and CAHs are no longer required to have environment of care management plans for each of the … physical environment areas. The newsletter stated that “except for ambulatory care organizations, Joint Commission no longer requires a written management plan or separate plans addressing each of the physical environment functional areas: safety, security, hazardous materials and waste, utilities, and medical equipment.” JC further clarified that the only management plans that will be evaluated during a survey will be the organization’s fire response plan, water management plan and emergency operations plan.” Mr. Daniel gives many good reasons for keeping elements of the management plans including the fact that “ the management plans are used by organizations to not only provide a roadmap to all of the required aspects of the standards for each respective plan but also to ensure that any supporting policies or procedures also are incorporated into the program — whether it’s an internal policy or procedure or a requirement of the accreditation process.” He concludes his article by stating, “While the requirement for environment of care management plans is not contained in JC’s new Physical Environment Chapter for hospitals and CAHs, the foundation of organizational compliance within the physical environment is still required, and continuing the process of evaluating and updating these management plans provides a path to help ensure continuous compliance.”  For a copy of the full article see Matthew Daniel . Matthew Daniel, CHSP, is a senior consultant at Daniel Consulting LTD. He can be reached at matthew.daniel@danielconsulting.net.