+33 7 48 29 63 15 [email protected] Mon-Fri 8:00-18:00 (CET)
Fire protection design for energy storage projects

Fire protection design for energy storage projects

Key Fire Safety Strategies and Design Elements for Energy Storage Systems1. Preventing Thermal Runaway Thermal runaway is one of the leading causes of battery fires.

Global Supply

San Diego refuses call to ban battery storage projects

Calls for a ban on new projects had been made in the wake of a 17-day battery fire at the 250 MW/250 MWH Gateway Energy Storage Station in Otay Mesa, San Diego, in May 2024. On Sep. 5, 2024, one of the 24 battery cells at a BESS belonging to utility San Diego Gas & Electric in Escondido caught fire.

Jul 28, 2025
Global Supply

Battery Energy Storage Explained

Every energy storage project we build meets or exceeds national fire protection standards and complies with the latest codes and standards for battery energy storage systems. These standards are frequently updated to incorporate the codes and industry best practices for hazard mitigation tools and strategies.

Jan 22, 2026
Global Supply

Reducing Fire Risk for Battery Energy Storage

With the rapid growth of alternative energy sources, there has been a push to install large-scale batteries to store surplus electricity at times of low demand and dispatch it during periods of high demand. In observance of Fire Prevention

Jan 20, 2026
Global Supply

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Fire Safety Design

We''re helping developers, investors, local authorities and other public sector organisations across the built environment manage and mitigate the blast and fire risk posed by battery energy storage systems (BESS) by leveraging our involvement in fire research, our in-depth knowledge of codes and standards, and our expertise in fire service operations.

Feb 02, 2026
Global Supply

Building the Path to Safer Battery Storage | Energy Central

Researchers hope this will help both strengthen new designs and procedures and meet energy storage needs safely and reliably. The first phase of this collaborative project, Battery Energy Storage Fire Prevention and Mitigation, studied more than 30 failure incidents since 2018 and conducted eight full-site hazard mitigation analyses.

Mar 17, 2026
Global Supply

Reducing Fire Risk for Battery Energy Storage Systems

With the rapid growth of alternative energy sources, there has been a push to install large-scale batteries to store surplus electricity at times of low demand and dispatch it during periods of high demand. In observance of Fire Prevention Week, WSP fire experts are drawing attention to the need to address fire hazards associated with these batteries to ensure that the power is stored

Nov 07, 2025
Global Supply

Fire Suppression for Battery Energy Storage Systems

According to a June 2019 research report titled “Development of Sprinkler Protection Guidance for Lithium-Ion Based Energy Storage Systems” by FM Global, the minimum sprinkler density required

Oct 20, 2025
Global Supply

Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Protection

Fire protection for lithium-ion battery storage spaces must account for the unique hazards posed by thermal runaway. Standard fire suppression systems may not be enough to manage the risks of lithium-ion battery fires. Facilities need systems specifically designed to detect, suppress, and prevent reignition of these types of fires.

Oct 08, 2025
Global Supply

Energy Storage System Safety

7 Hazards –Thermal Runaway “The process where self heating occurs faster than can be dissipated resulting in vaporized electrolyte, fire, and or explosions” Initial exothermic reactions leading to thermal runaway can begin at 80° - 120°C.

Nov 02, 2025
Global Supply

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Frequently Asked

NFPA 855 is the Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, which serves as a guideline for Canadian fire departments. The standard outlines processes for training, pre-incident planning, hazard mitigation analysis, testing, decommissioning, and post-incident handover procedures to energy storage system owner.

Mar 30, 2026
Global Supply

Energy Storage Safety

Safety by Design. Every energy storage project integrated into our electrical grid strives to meet and exceed national fire protection standards that are frequently updated to incorporate best

Feb 25, 2026
Global Supply

Battery Energy Storage Systems Independent

Abstract: As power markets and the generation mix continue to evolve in the United States and elsewhere, the need for flexible power systems increases. To achieve power system flexibility, developers of new power projects and owners of existing projects have increased their use of battery energy storage systems (BESSs) as a cost-effective option. Until recently,

Feb 04, 2026
Global Supply

Managing fire risk Battery Energy Storage System

Before starting construction, a series of management plans are developed for the project. These can include: Fact sheet Managing fire risk – Battery Energy Storage System • fire management plan • emergency management plan, including evacuation procedures • emergency information books prepared in accordance with CFA''s Design Guidelines

Aug 27, 2025
Global Supply

Fire Protection of Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage

Li-ion battery Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are quickly becoming the most common type of electrochemical energy store for land and marine applications, and the use of the technology is

Apr 04, 2026
Global Supply

Fire protection for energy storage systems

This is proven by the fire test results derived from the research projects SUVEREN (I+II), and SUVEREN_Storage as well as in further tests with lithium-ion batteries. All fire tests underlined the importance of efficient cooling

Jul 14, 2025
Global Supply

Fire Protection Engineering

The fire codes (IFC 2021 Chapter 1207, NFPA 855 ed. 2023) contain a requirement to include explosion protection for installed systems exceeding certain energy capacity thresholds.

Feb 09, 2026
Global Supply

BESS fire safety: ''AHJs increasingly want

More and more Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) over where energy storage systems get built are requiring battery storage projects to have active means of protection against potential explosion. That was the view of Chris Groves, a product manager at battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturer and system integrator Wärtsilä Energy.

Aug 23, 2025
Global Supply

FIRE SAFETY PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS Fire protection

sources of energy grows – so does the use of energy storage systems. Energy storage is a key component in balancing out supply and demand fluctuations. Today, lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) have proven to be the most effective type and, as a result, installations are growing fast. "thermal runaway," occurs. By leveraging

Feb 26, 2026
Global Supply

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) fire and explosion

In the realm of BESS safety, standards and regulations aim to ensure the safe design, installation, and operation of energy storage systems. One of the key standards in this field is the IEC 62933 series, which addresses the safety of electrical energy storage (EES) systems. It encompasses essential unit parameters and testing methods for EES

May 25, 2026
Global Supply

Design of Remote Fire Monitoring System for Unattended

of the electrochemical energy storage power station. Keywords Electrochemical Energy Storage Station ·Fire Protection Design ·Fire Characteristics ·Remote Monitoring System ·Unattended M. Wang (B) · X. Zhu Liaoning Key Laboratory of Chemical Additive Synthesis and Separation, Yingkou 115014, China e-mail: wmjsygd@163 S. Hong

Aug 13, 2025
Global Supply

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) fire and

In the realm of BESS safety, standards and regulations aim to ensure the safe design, installation, and operation of energy storage systems. One of the key standards in this field is the IEC 62933 series, which addresses

Sep 07, 2025
Global Supply

A Focus on Battery Energy Storage Safety

EPRI''s battery energy storage system database has tracked over 50 utility-scale battery failures, most of which occurred in the last four years. One fire resulted in life-threatening injuries to first responders. These incidents represent a 1 to 2 percent failure rate across the 12.5 GWh of lithium-ion battery energy storage worldwide.

Dec 09, 2025
Global Supply

EVLO deploying battery energy storage systems with enhanced fire

When it is put into operation in 2026, it will be the largest battery energy storage project in Virginia. The projects align with Dominion''s Grid-Transformation Plan to modernize its infrastructure and develop 2,700 MW of energy storage by 2035 while maintaining safe and reliable service. They will also support the Virginia Clean Economy Act

Sep 05, 2025
Global Supply

BATTERY STORAGE FIRE SAFETY ROADMAP

Battery Storage Fire Safety Roadmap: EPRI''s Immediate, Near, and Medium-Term Research Priorities to Minimize Fire Risks for Energy Storage Owners and Operators Around the World . At the sites analyzed, system size ranges from 1–8 MWh, and both nickel manganese cobalt

Mar 09, 2026
Global Supply

The Inside Look: What you need to know about Battery Energy Storage

BESSs produce a large amount of energy in a small area. This design, while efficient, creates a risk that must be managed. What You need to know about Battery Energy Storage Fire Protection. Feb. 14, 2022. Illinois—Welcomes Commissioning of $6.5M Battery Storage-Solar Project with ComEd. Dec. 10, 2024 . Image credit Strata Clean Energy.

Nov 30, 2025
Global Supply

TOTAL PROTECTION FOR ENERGY STORAGE

Energy Storage Systems (ESS) utilizing lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the primary infrastructure for wind turbine farms, peak shaving facilities, and solar farms. The electrical grid is

Nov 19, 2025
Global Supply

Battery Energy Storage Systems – FIRE & RISK

A Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA) may be required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for approval of an energy storage project. HMAs tie together information on the BESS assembly, applicable codes, building code analysis,

Aug 18, 2025
Global Supply

Webinar #2: Fire Safety

• For residential through commercial-scale storage projects < 5 megawatts (MW) • Incentives vary based on region and megawatt-hour (MWh) block allocation Energy Storage Systems to International Fire Code (IFC) • 2019: - National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) releases NFPA 855 - UL publishes 4th ed. of UL 9540A - ICC introduces

Feb 19, 2026
Global Supply

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity April 2024

Increasing safety certainty earlier in the energy storage development cycle... 36 List of Tables Table 1. Summary of electrochemical energy storage deployments..... 11 Table 2. Summary of non-electrochemical energy storage deployments..... 16 Table 3.

Jan 30, 2026
Global Supply

Designing Effective Fire Protection Systems for Industrial Facilities

The design of fire protection systems is guided by a myriad of standards and codes. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides a comprehensive set of guidelines that govern everything from the storage of flammable materials (NFPA 30) to sprinkler systems for indoor spaces (NFP 2 and NFP 12).

Sep 15, 2025
Global Supply

Battery Energy Storage Systems

Multidiscipline experience in energy storage. Our growing battery energy storage team has executed more than 90 BESS projects in the United States. They draw experience from our battery subject matter professionals representing all disciplines including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, acoustics, and commissioning.

Aug 25, 2025
Global Supply

Building Safe and Compliant Solar+Storage Projects

energy storage projects, and explains how fire testing to UL 9540A standards helps project stakeholders Large-scale fire test data also directly informs the design of fire protection systems such as suppression systems, deflagration vent panels and exhaust ventilation systems. Inclusion of these systems within an ESS container can mitigate the

Mar 15, 2026
Global Supply

Quantum Fire Safety

Energy Storage Research Consortium. Wärtsilä is a member of NFPA''s Energy Storage Research Consortium (“ESRC”) to support industry-relevant fire protection issues and identify related research needs that could be met through research projects.

May 02, 2026
Global Supply

Safety With Energy Storage Systems

By Brian O''Connor, P.E. From the August 2019 Issue. E nergy Storage System (ESS) technology stores energy in various forms for use as electrical energy at a later time. The term ESS can refer to several different types of technology such as flywheel energy storage, pumped hydro energy storage, or battery energy storage.

Apr 13, 2026
Global Supply

Energy Storage Safety Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned: Lithium Ion Battery Storage 2 June 2021 Fire Prevention and Mitigation—2021 Energy Storage Safety Lessons Learned. INCIDENT TRENDS. Over the past four years, at least 30 large-scale battery energy storage . sites (BESS) globally experienced failures that resulted in destructive . fires. 1

Sep 22, 2025
Global Supply

Building Safe and Compliant Solar+Storage Projects

propagate through cells, modules and racks informs site layouts, fire suppression techniques, equipment spacing, and overall system design and operations. Large-scale fire test data also

Apr 02, 2026
Global Supply

Energy company unveils innovative storage design with

The EVLOFLEX passed UL muster for design, production, testing, installation, and operation. Additionally, fire prevention, explosion containment, and hazard detection sensitivity were among the specs vetted, all per REW.. Lithium-ion fires often make headlines because of their severity. But the packs, common in EVs, are less likely to catch fire than gas

Dec 21, 2025
Global Supply

Advances and perspectives in fire safety of lithium-ion battery energy

In this review, we comprehensively summarize recent advances in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery fire behavior and safety protection to solve the critical issues and develop safer LFP

Aug 29, 2025
Global Supply

Mitigating Hazards in Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage

a fire suppression system that effectively extinguishes the battery fire and 2) incorporating explosion vents to release burning gases and avoid over-pressurization of enclosures upon failure. A 2016 report authored by Exponent for the National Fire Protection Association''s (NFPA) Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) concluded that local

Feb 06, 2026
Global Supply

Design of Water Supply, Drainage and Fire Water System for

Lai studied the introduction scheme of water supply and drainage design for the terminal area of the Phase III expansion project of Baiyun International Airport: fire protection system design and application of intelligent fire protection technology . However, although existing research adopts various optimization methods such as low-energy

May 28, 2026
Global Supply

Fire protection for Li-ion battery energy storage systems

energy storage systems. Fire protection for Li-ion battery energy storage systems . White paper January 2019 . The filigree design, the ever increasing energy density and aging of the battery are the causes of the danger. If external mechanical forces are excluded, then a fire caused by battery cells themselves is

Jun 19, 2026
Global Supply

Comprehensive Fire Safety Plan for Energy Storage Systems

design, operation, protection, inspection, maintenance, and testing of stationary lithium‐ion battery (LIB) energy storage systems (ESS) greater than 20 kWh. This data sheet also describes

Mar 21, 2026
Global Supply

Battery Energy Fire Explosion Protection

Battery Energy Storage Systems Fire & Explosion Protection While battery manufacturing has improved, the risk of cell failure has not disappeared. When a cell fails, the main concerns are fires and considered as the third level in a multi-level protection design: • The first line of defense is the battery management

Feb 07, 2026
Global Supply

Webinar: Fire safety-designing energy storage fire detection

Grid-scale energy storage projects complement renewables by storing energy and dispatching it during periods of low wind or sunlight, creating a more resilient energy system. Although very rare, recent energy storage fires are prompting manufacturers and project developers to ask serious questions about how to design safer projects.

May 13, 2026
Global Supply

Guidelines for the fire safety of battery energy storage systems

There are currently no national rules, advice or standards for how fire protection should be dimensioned or where battery energy storage systems can be installed in Sweden. This creates an uncertainty for those who want to install battery energy storage systems. The aim of this project is to produce national guidelines regarding fire safety of BESS

Jun 06, 2026

6 Frequently Asked Questions about “Fire protection design for energy storage projects”

Why do energy storage projects need a fire service?

The energy storage industry is committed to partnering with the fire service to promote safe and reliable operation. From the blueprint of a project site to the specially engineered battery containers, energy storage projects are inherently designed to perform safely and reliably on the grid.

What is battery energy storage fire prevention & mitigation?

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.

How do energy storage facilities maintain safety?

Facilities use multiple strategies to maintain safety, including using established safety equipment and techniques to ensure that operation of the battery systems are conducted safely. Energy storage technologies are a critical resource for America's power grid, boosting reliability and lowering costs for families and businesses.

How is the energy storage industry promoting safety?

The energy storage industry is continually promoting safety, encouraging localities across the country to adopt robust safety standards, collaborating with first-responder groups and fire service organizations, and sharing lessons learned and safety resources. Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Are energy storage projects safe?

From the blueprint of a project site to the specially engineered battery containers, energy storage projects are inherently designed to perform safely and reliably on the grid. Energy storage facilities are designed to always deliver for America's energy system when most needed.

Should battery fire suppression systems be mandatory?

Today's larger battery systems use tens of thousands of cells, so fires are inevitable. Battery fires emit toxic fumes and pose a risk to the community. Fire suppression systems should be mandatory for all lithium-ion battery systems. Energy storage battery fires are decreasing as a percentage of deployments.

Need Product Pricing?

Contact us for competitive quotes on any of our energy monitoring and control products

Get a Quote