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AmpSize

Battery location checker

Check where a home battery can go under AS/NZS 5139.

AS/NZS 5139

Reads AS/NZS 5139:2019. Tables checked 1 Oct 2026.

Try a job 4

Each job fills in example values. Replace them with your values.

Inputs

Worked example with the default inputs. The live calculator replaces it when the page loads.

Battery type
All-in-one (pre-assembled integrated BESS)
Location
Garage
Battery IP code
IP55
Distance to the nearest exit
1,500 mm
Distance to a window or vent
0 mm
Distance to an appliance
800 mm
An exit, window or appliance above it
No
On a wall to a habitable room
No
Gap to the ceiling
1,100 mm
The building has a fire indication panel
No
Working space in front
1,000 mm
Panels reach the 230 V a.c. connections
Yes
Maker’s clearance
0 mm

AS/NZS 5139 Section 4

8 of 9 rules met

Rules met
8
Rules not met
0
Not assessed
1

This result is a design aid. Verify it against the current standard.

Calculation steps

  1. Clearance to an exit, a window or vent, or an appliance, at least600mm

    AS/NZS 5139:2019 Cl 4.2.2.2

  2. Clear below those items, at least900mm

    AS/NZS 5139:2019 Cl 4.2.2.2(e)

  3. IP code indoors, at leastIP2X

    AS/NZS 5139:2019 Cl 4.2.3.2

  4. Working space, at least900mm

    AS/NZS 5139:2019 Cl 4.2.5

About this calculator

How this is calculated

The tool checks a site for an all-in-one home battery. It reads AS/NZS 5139:2019 Section 4. It shows each rule as met, not met or not assessed. A distance you leave blank stays not assessed.

  1. Place. It tests the location against the restricted places (Cl 4.2.2.2(a) to (k)). These are switchboard-restricted places, ceiling spaces, wall cavities, roofs unless deemed suitable, under stairways or access walkways, and escape routes. They also include habitable rooms of homes and hazardous areas.
  2. Clearances. It compares your distances to an exit, a window or vent of a habitable room, and another appliance with the 600 mm rule. An item above the battery needs the 900 mm rule. In a corridor it checks the 1 m left for egress (Cl 4.2.2.1).
  3. IP code. It wants IP2X indoors and IP23 outdoors (Cl 4.2.3.2). It compares each digit of your code.
  4. Barrier. If the battery is on a wall to a habitable room, the wall must be non-combustible (Cl 4.2.4.2). On a combustible wall, a non-combustible barrier must reach 600 mm past each side, 900 mm above and down to the bottom.
  5. Ceiling. If the ceiling is within 900 mm of the top, it must be non-combustible for 600 mm past the battery (Cl 4.2.4.2).
  6. Working space. It wants 600 mm on the working side, or 900 mm where panels reach the 230 V a.c. connections. It takes the maker's figure if that is larger (Cl 4.2.5).
  7. Notes. It adds notes for a smoke alarm or fire panel detector (Cl 4.3.4, a "should") and for the maker's ventilation instructions (Cl 4.3.5).
CheckClauseWhat it decides
LocationCl 4.2.2.2Whether the place is restricted
Exit, window, applianceCl 4.2.2.2The side and below clearances
CorridorCl 4.2.2.1The width left for egress
IP ratingCl 4.2.3.2The least enclosure rating
BarrierCl 4.2.4.2The non-combustible wall behind the battery
CeilingCl 4.2.4.2The non-combustible ceiling above it
Working spaceCl 4.2.5The clear space to work in

Worked example

  • A garage wall that backs onto a bedroom. The tool gives 4 of 9 rules not met: the appliance clearance, the barrier, the ceiling and the working space. The hot water unit is 400 mm away. The barrier reaches 300 mm each side and 500 mm above. The ceiling is 700 mm over the battery. The working space is 700 mm.
  • The same wall, fixed. The tool gives 9 of 9 rules met.

Limits

  • The tool covers a pre-assembled integrated BESS, Section 4. It does not assess other battery types. AmpSize does not hold Sections 5 and 6.
  • AmpSize does not hold Amendment 1 (2025). Check it for changes.
  • The tool tests the numbers you enter. It does not know your site. A roof needs a check that it is deemed suitable.
  • It does not size the battery, the cable or the protection.

See also: Home battery location and clearances, Where can a home battery go, Solar battery size for a family home and the home battery tool.

Questions

Each answer describes what this tool calculates. The result is a design aid. Verify against the current standard.

Where can a home battery not go?

AS/NZS 5139:2019 Cl 4.2.2.2 keeps an all-in-one battery out of habitable rooms, ceiling spaces, wall cavities, the space under stairs or walkways, escape routes and hazardous areas. A roof is allowed only where it is deemed suitable.

How far must a battery be from a door, window or hot water unit?

At least 600 mm to the side of an exit, a window or vent of a habitable room, or another appliance such as a hot water unit or air conditioner. It must also sit at least 900 mm below any of them.

Can a battery go on a wall to a bedroom?

Yes, if the wall is non-combustible, such as brick, concrete, cement sheet or tiles. On a combustible wall, fit a non-combustible barrier 600 mm past each side and 900 mm above. A ceiling within 900 mm needs the same.

How much space does a battery need in front of it?

At least 600 mm on the working side, or 900 mm where the panels reach the 230 V a.c. connections. Where the maker asks for more, the tool takes the larger figure.

Does the tool cover every battery?

It covers the all-in-one home battery, Section 4 of AS/NZS 5139. AmpSize does not hold the Section 5 and 6 rules for other systems, or Amendment 1 (2025). The tool says so rather than guess.

Clauses and tables this tool reads

Every clause and table, with how each was verified

Tables last checked on 1 Oct 2026.

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