Title: Module 7: Battery Safety & Environmental - Quiz
Course: ASE A6 Battery Service > Section: Module 7: Battery Safety & Environmental

Q: Hydrogen gas produced by a lead-acid battery during charging is:
- Heavier than air and settles near the floor
- Visible as a white vapor above the battery
- Colorless, odorless, and lighter than air
- Detectable by its strong sulfur smell
A: Colorless, odorless, and lighter than air
Feedback: Hydrogen gas is colorless, odorless, and lighter than air. It rises and accumulates at ceiling level in enclosed spaces. It cannot be detected by sight or smell, making ventilation essential.

Q: The explosive concentration range for hydrogen gas in air is:
- 1-2%
- 4-74%
- 10-20%
- 50-100%
A: 4-74%
Feedback: Hydrogen is explosive at concentrations between 4% and 74% in air — an extremely wide flammable range. This means even a small accumulation of hydrogen in a poorly ventilated area can create an explosion hazard.

Q: When jump-starting a vehicle with jumper cables, the LAST connection should be made to:
- The positive terminal of the dead battery
- The negative terminal of the dead battery
- The positive terminal of the good battery
- An engine ground point on the dead vehicle, away from the battery
A: An engine ground point on the dead vehicle, away from the battery
Feedback: The last connection produces a spark. Connecting to an engine ground point at least 18 inches from the battery keeps the spark away from hydrogen gas that may be present near the battery. This prevents a potential explosion.

Q: Technician A says the correct order for connecting jumper cables is: dead battery positive, good battery positive, good battery negative, engine ground on dead vehicle. Technician B says the correct order is: good battery positive, dead battery positive, good battery negative, dead battery negative. Who is correct?
- Technician A only
- Technician B only
- Both Technician A and Technician B
- Neither Technician A nor Technician B
A: Technician A only
Feedback: The correct connection order is: (1) red to dead positive, (2) red to good positive, (3) black to good negative, (4) black to engine ground on the dead vehicle. Technician B connects to the dead battery's negative terminal as the last step, which creates a spark near hydrogen gas. Technician A correctly uses an engine ground point.

Q: Which of the following is the MINIMUM personal protective equipment required for any battery service task?
- Rubber apron and face shield
- Safety glasses with side shields and acid-resistant gloves
- Chemical splash goggles only
- Leather work gloves and a dust mask
A: Safety glasses with side shields and acid-resistant gloves
Feedback: Safety glasses with side shields and acid-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene) are the minimum PPE for any battery service. A rubber apron and face shield are added for higher-risk tasks like carrying batteries or filling electrolyte.

Q: An acid spill on a workbench should be neutralized using:
- Water only — flush until clean
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- Vinegar (acetic acid)
- Motor oil to absorb the spill
A: Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Feedback: Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) neutralizes sulfuric acid. Sprinkle it over the spill and wait for the fizzing to stop, indicating the acid has been neutralized. Water alone dilutes acid but does not neutralize it, and can spread the spill.

Q: Technician A says a portable jump box charges the dead battery while it cranks the engine. Technician B says a jump box provides cranking current only and the battery must be charged separately afterward. Who is correct?
- Technician A only
- Technician B only
- Both Technician A and Technician B
- Neither Technician A nor Technician B
A: Technician B only
Feedback: A jump box (auxiliary power supply) provides only the burst of cranking current needed to start the engine. It does not charge the dead battery. After starting, the vehicle's alternator or a dedicated battery charger must recharge the battery.

Q: A hybrid vehicle has orange cables visible in the engine bay. These cables indicate:
- The auxiliary 12V battery circuit
- The ground strap for jump-starting
- The high-voltage battery system (200-350V or higher)
- The charging cable for the jump box
A: The high-voltage battery system (200-350V or higher)
Feedback: Orange cables in a hybrid or electric vehicle indicate the high-voltage battery system, which operates at 200-350V or higher. Only qualified high-voltage technicians with specialized training and PPE should work on these circuits. Jump-starting should only involve the 12V auxiliary battery.

Q: The self-discharge rate of a lead-acid battery stored at room temperature approximately doubles for every:
- 5°F (3°C) increase in temperature
- 18°F (10°C) increase in temperature
- 30°F (17°C) increase in temperature
- 50°F (28°C) increase in temperature
A: 18°F (10°C) increase in temperature
Feedback: Self-discharge rate approximately doubles for every 18°F (10°C) increase in temperature. A battery stored at 95°F discharges about twice as fast as one stored at 77°F. This is why cool storage (50-70°F) is recommended.

Q: Under EPA regulations, lead-acid batteries are classified as:
- General solid waste
- Hazardous waste requiring special incineration
- Universal Waste under RCRA
- Non-regulated recyclable material
A: Universal Waste under RCRA
Feedback: Lead-acid batteries are classified as Universal Waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This classification provides simplified management rules compared to fully regulated hazardous waste, but still requires proper handling, storage, and recycling.

Q: A technician gets battery acid in their eyes. The FIRST action should be:
- Apply baking soda paste to neutralize the acid
- Begin flushing with water immediately for at least 15-20 minutes
- Cover the eyes with a clean cloth and drive to the hospital
- Apply eye drops and wait to see if irritation subsides
A: Begin flushing with water immediately for at least 15-20 minutes
Feedback: Acid in the eyes requires immediate flushing with water (eyewash station, water bottle, or any clean water) for at least 15-20 minutes with eyelids held open. Do not delay flushing to apply any substance. Seek immediate medical attention after flushing begins.

Q: Technician A says a discharged battery stored outdoors can freeze at temperatures as warm as 20°F (-7°C). Technician B says a fully charged battery will not freeze until approximately -75°F (-60°C). Who is correct?
- Technician A only
- Technician B only
- Both Technician A and Technician B
- Neither Technician A nor Technician B
A: Both Technician A and Technician B
Feedback: Both are correct. A fully discharged battery (SG ~1.120) can freeze at approximately 20°F (-7°C), while a fully charged battery (SG ~1.265) will not freeze until approximately -75°F (-60°C). This is why batteries should never be stored in a discharged state, especially in cold climates.

Q: A vehicle's battery is located under the rear seat. The technician needs to jump-start the vehicle. The correct approach is to:
- Remove the rear seat to access the battery directly
- Use the remote positive terminal and engine ground point under the hood
- Connect the jumper cables to the fuse box under the dashboard
- Tow the vehicle to a shop where the seat can be removed safely
A: Use the remote positive terminal and engine ground point under the hood
Feedback: Vehicles with batteries in remote locations (trunk, under seat, under floor) provide remote positive terminals (red-capped post) and ground points under the hood specifically for jump-starting. Always use these remote terminals rather than trying to access the buried battery.

Q: It is illegal to dispose of a lead-acid battery in regular trash in:
- Only states with specific battery recycling laws
- Only states bordering the ocean
- All 50 states
- Only commercial facilities — residential disposal is permitted
A: All 50 states
Feedback: It is illegal to dispose of lead-acid batteries in regular trash in all 50 states. Lead-acid batteries contain lead (a toxic heavy metal) and sulfuric acid (a corrosive liquid). Over 99% of lead-acid batteries are recycled in the U.S. through the core return process.

Q: A customer accidentally swallows a small amount of battery acid. Technician A says to induce vomiting immediately to remove the acid. Technician B says to NOT induce vomiting and to call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately. Who is correct?
- Technician A only
- Technician B only
- Both Technician A and Technician B
- Neither Technician A nor Technician B
A: Technician B only
Feedback: Never induce vomiting after acid ingestion — this brings the corrosive acid back through the esophagus a second time, causing additional damage. The correct response is to rinse the mouth with water, give small sips of water or milk if the person can swallow, and call Poison Control or 911 immediately.