Tom,
No problem with another link. Here ya go:
LINK
Quote from that site below:
..."Batteries must be installed in a well ventilated environment, preferably in an appropriately designed structure away from the house."...
Seems pretty clear to me, by residential architectual standards.
I know it's much easier to keep an eye on those batteries when they're in a living area but it doesn't seem to be an accepted practice by professionals in the field. Also, as I've stated before, it doesn't seem reasonable or logical to place risk, how ever slight this risk might be, to ones family and financial investment for the sake of ease.
I'm REALLY not trying to be judgemental at all about this issue, but feel very strongly that the importance of safety cannot be overlooked or dismissed out of hand.
You may well be correct in questioning the application and interpretation of the code in local jurisdictions. I contend that RE is so "outside the norm" that these jurisdictions may have never read that section of the NEC. It is also possible the these local enforcement officers have never seen an RE system at all. I do not feel this invalidates or nullifies the NEC code. Besides, I've personally seen building inspectors paid to NOT see some things, such as dirt added to a concrete foundation to bring it up to grade level. This in no way makes the practice "right".
I have uploaded the PDF of this section of the NEC code to my files. Here is the link to that.
LINK
Deffinitions of these terms may be a case by case issue. Some people may place their batteries on racks above the ground, or floor, level in which any electrical equipment should not be situated "below" the battery rack. I would conclude that any "living area" would be considered connected to, or a continuous portion of, an area of a structure in which people occupy on a regular basis.
I would not consider the area where you currently have your batteries to fall under the "living area" definition. If these batteries were in your bedroom closet, or under the same roof where you spend 95% of your time indoors, I would consider them to be in the "living area".
I am not trying to dictate to others what they HAVE to do, but rather point out that it just doesn't make sense to place batteries where they could ruin ones life in the event of failure. Imagine how one would feel if their house were destroyed by a freak accident that could have been easily avoided. Imagine how one would feel knowing they could have taken very simple measures to assure that tragedy, or much much worse (losing a loved one for example), never happened.
I hope stephent will comment here, as a master electrician I value his input a great deal.
As I stated before, my intent is NOT to piss folks off, but rather provide information that will help RE folks make sound choices with safety in mind.
(Sorry about the "&" in the title)