Fire protection requirements for energy storage system containers

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.

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.

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. It is crucial to understand which codes and standards apply to any given project, as well as why they were put in place to begin with.

For storage capacities that exceed these limits, non-residential requirements come into play (NFPA 855 Chapters 4-9). Fire detection, including smoke and heat alarms, vehicle impact protection with approved barriers, and ventilation requirements for chemistries that produce flammable gas during normal operation are addressed.

Before diving into the specifics of energy storage system (ESS) fire codes, it is crucial to understand why building and fire codes are so relevant to the success of our industry. The solar industry is experiencing a steady and significant increase in interest in energy storage systems and their deployment.

In 2019, EPRI began the Battery Energy Storage Fire Prevention and Mitigation – Phase I research project, convened a group of experts, and conducted a series of energy storage site surveys and industry workshops to identify critical research and development (R&D) needs regarding battery safety.