--- title: “WHAT IS THAT ROTTEN EGG SMELL?!” Emergency Light Batteries... description: Expired Emergency Light Batteries leaking hydrogen gas can be very dangerous. image: https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/hs-fs/file-23710685-jpg/images/rotten_eggs_emergency_light_batteries.jpg --- Questions?  Call us now at [(800) 225-0263](tel:1800-225-0263)  |  [(203) 756-8148](tel:203-756-8148) [![Lighting_Services_Logo](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/hs-fs/file-2244324566-png/images/Logo-2.png?width=200&height=124&name=Logo-2.png "Lighting_Services_Logo")](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net) Search this site on Google Search Google [Lighting Services Blog](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog) # [“WHAT IS THAT ROTTEN EGG SMELL?!” Emergency Light Batteries...](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/bid/238875/WHAT-IS-THAT-ROTTEN-EGG-SMELL-Emergency-Light-Batteries) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/298916/file-425707331-png/simplex_core_images/profile-default.png) by [Cooper Clark](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/author/cooper-clark) on Apr 02, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](http://www.market8.co/email-sharing/email-icon-2.png) ](http://www.market8.co/email-sharing/email-sharing-form.php?blogname=Lighting%20Services%20Blog&blogurl=https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/bid/238875/WHAT-IS-THAT-ROTTEN-EGG-SMELL-Emergency-Light-Batteries) In many of the older, wet-type (lead antimony) batteries, they are shipped with a liquid installed called sulfuric acid.  This electrolyte is energized during the charging process to maintain the proper voltage in the battery.  ![Emergency Lighting Service](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/hs-fs/file-23710685-jpg/images/rotten_eggs_emergency_light_batteries.jpg?width=369&height=245&name=rotten_eggs_emergency_light_batteries.jpg) Without the proper battery maintenance, such as filling only with distilled water, these wet-type batteries are very susceptible to failure.  As the voltage in the battery falls due to low electrolyte levels, broken cells, old age, etc., the automatic charger attempts to charge the defective batteries at a very high rate.  The result is hydrogen gas escapes from these batteries via a vent.  No battery is truly maintenance-free or completely sealed.  This hydrogen gas is very flammable and can easily result in major fires.  So, when you smell the “rotten egg”, address the problem immediately or call a certified emergency lighting service company. Topics: [Emergency Lighting Systems](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting-systems), [Emergency Lighting CT](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting-ct) About The Author ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/298916/file-425707331-png/simplex_core_images/profile-default.png) [ Cooper Clark ](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/author/cooper-clark) ## About this blog Blog about facilities' life safety and lighting concerns including emergency lighting, exit signs, interior and exterior lighting. ### Subscribe to Email Updates [Subscribe to RSS feeds](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/rss.xml) [![Click to Request My 100% FreeLife-Safety Inspection AED - Emergency Lighting - Fire](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/235721/cebe47bd-ead7-40ad-9449-b3eab0ac17e0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/235721/cebe47bd-ead7-40ad-9449-b3eab0ac17e0) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Commercial Lighting (32)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/commercial-lighting) - [Emergency Lighting (32)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting) - [LED Lighting (29)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/led-lighting) - [Emergency Lighting Systems (27)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting-systems) - [Energy Savings (23)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/energy-savings) - [Lighting Maintenance (17)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/lighting-maintenance) - [Emergency Lighting CT (16)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting-ct) - [Understanding Emergency Lighting Fire Code (13)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/understanding-emergency-lighting-fire-code) - [Emergency Lighting Made Simple (11)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting-made-simple) - [Electrical repairs (2)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/electrical-repairs) - [Electric Vehicles (1)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/electric-vehicles) [Expand all](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/bid/238875/WHAT-IS-THAT-ROTTEN-EGG-SMELL-Emergency-Light-Batteries#) ### Authors List - [Cooper Clark (135)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/author/cooper-clark) - [Guest Author (1)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/author/guest-author) ### Contact Details Phone: (800) 225-0263 Fax:      (203) 596-8991 eMail:  [sales@lightingservicesinc.net](mailto:sales@lightingservicesinc.net) ### lightingservicesinc.net ### Blog Categories - [Commercial Lighting (32)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/commercial-lighting) - [Emergency Lighting (32)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting) - [LED Lighting (29)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/led-lighting) - [Emergency Lighting Systems (27)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting-systems) - [Energy Savings (23)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/energy-savings) - [Lighting Maintenance (17)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/lighting-maintenance) - [Emergency Lighting CT (16)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting-ct) - [Understanding Emergency Lighting Fire Code (13)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/understanding-emergency-lighting-fire-code) - [Emergency Lighting Made Simple (11)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/emergency-lighting-made-simple) - [Electrical repairs (2)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/electrical-repairs) - [Electric Vehicles (1)](https://www.lightingservicesinc.net/life-safety-blog/topic/electric-vehicles) ### Follow Lighting Services Inc: