The National Fire Protection Association in the US has published its first comprehensive collection of safety standards for energy storage system (ESS) deployment.
The Massachusetts’-based organisation released NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systemson 11 September.
The standards advise ESS deployment stakeholders on requirements based on the technology used, location, the size and separation of ESS installations, and the fire suppression and control systems that are in place.
It also considers the ventilation, detection, signage, listings, and emergency operations associated with ESS.
The organisation said the potential safety hazards— the release of toxic/flammable gases, stranded energy, and increased fire intensity— had driven the need for first responders and those that design, build, maintain, and inspect facilities to become educated and proactive about ESS safety.
Work on NFPA 855 began in 2016, with the association receiving more than 600 public inputs and 800 public comments during the development process.
Christian Dubay, vice president and chief engineer at the association, said: “NFPA 855 is the culmination of several years of extensive consideration and dialogue at technical committee meetings, educational sessions, and workshops attended by a broad spectrum of professionals.”
Brian O’Connor, NFPA staff liaison for NFPA 855, said: “While energy storage systems provide countless benefits and applications, the technologies do not come without risk. NFPA 855 aims to mitigate risk and ensure that all installations are done in a way that takes fire and life safety into consideration.”
Current editions of NFPA 70® and NFPA 1 also contain extensive requirements for ESS fire safety.
