The storage should be equipped with fire control and extinguishing devices, with a smoke or radiation energy detection system. Fire detection systems protecting the storage should have additional power supply capable of 24h standby operation and 2h alarm operation.
Rapid extinguishing is also essential and can be ensured by the use of automated extinguishing systems using an appropriate agent. This paper discusses the development of a managed-risk fire protection concept for stationary Li-ion battery energy storage systems.
Fire protection requirements for energy storage equipment include: compliance with national and local codes, installation of appropriate fire suppression systems, continuous monitoring for thermal runaway, and routine maintenance and inspection.
This material contains some basic information about energy storage systems (ESS). It identifies some of the requirements in NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Energy Storage Systems, 2023 edition as of the date of publication.
Watch the energy storage systems webinar now to learn more about 2022 intervening code changes to Ch 12 in the Fire Code, residential energy storage, commercial energy storage, and micro mobility devices.
Fire codes and standards inform energy storage system design and installation and serve as a backstop to protect homes, families, commercial facilities, and personnel, including our solar-plus-storage businesses.
In 2023 alone, lithium-ion battery fires caused over $2.1 billion in damages globally. That''s why understanding energy storage cabinet fire protection standards isn''t just regulatory red tape – it''s survival in the age of renewable energy.
Energy storage systems should include fire-resistant barriers and structural elements that limit the spread of fire within the facility. Battery units should be spaced sufficiently apart to reduce the risk of cascading fires between units.
A thorough understanding of this process will help you provide your local authorities, insurance providers and fire mitigation professionals with the information they need to quickly assess the safety of your installed battery energy storage system.
The purpose of NFPA 855 is to establish clear and consistent fire safety guidelines for energy storage systems, including both stationary and mobile systems.
However, many designers and installers, especially those new to energy storage systems, are unfamiliar with the fire and building codes pertaining to battery installations. Another code-making body is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Some states adopt the NFPA 1 Fire Code rather than the IFC.
In addition, any embryo fire must be quickly extinguished using automated, targeted extinguishing systems to prevent a large number of cells, batteries or battery modules incurring thermal runaway and catching fire. Li-ion battery energy storage systems are an application with a clear need for comprehensive fire protection.
While the 2015 versions of the IFC and NFPA 1 do contain some requirements for energy storage systems, they are few compared to the 2018 and 2021 versions. The ESS requirements in the 2018 version, while certainly more restrictive than the 2015 version, are relatively modest.
There have also been issues in the U.S. residential energy storage sector. For example, after five reported fires stemming from its RESU10 battery units, LG Chem issued product recalls in December of 2020 and again in August 2021. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, these fires resulted in property damage and one injury.
Powering the Future: Safeguarding Today with Energy Storage Systems According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an energy storage system (ESS), is a device or group of devices assembled together, capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a later time.
We hosted a Battery Energy Storage Systems Fire Safety Symposium on July 24, 2025, at the California Natural Resources Agency in Sacramento, CA. - Updates on state initiatives to local fire departments and officials. Watch the Recording
