The Kidde BC-1 battery cabinet gives fire alarm installers a clean, code-compliant way to house backup batteries outside the main panel enclosure. When the FACP's internal cabinet can't fit the required battery capacity, this wall-mount enclosure handles up to 40Ah of sealed lead-acid batteries in a dedicated, lockable space.
Built for the commercial fire alarm installer
Steel construction with a black backbox and locking bronze door keeps batteries secure and accessible only to authorized personnel. The keyed cylinder lock meets code requirements for restricted battery access in commercial occupancies. Wall-mount design with pre-punched knockouts simplifies cable routing from the FACP to the battery cabinet.
Key features
- Supports up to 40Ah batteries for extended standby on larger fire alarm systems
- Locking bronze door with keyed cylinder restricts access to authorized technicians
- Steel construction protects batteries in commercial and industrial environments
- Wall-mount design with pre-punched knockouts for straightforward cable routing
- Pairs with Kidde fire alarm panels when internal battery capacity isn't enough for the required standby time
When to use an external battery cabinet
Fire codes require 24-hour standby power followed by 5 minutes of alarm on most commercial fire alarm systems. When the panel's built-in battery bay can't hold enough capacity to meet that requirement - common on larger systems with high NAC circuit loads - an external cabinet like the BC-1 keeps the installation clean and compliant.
