Do I need NFPA 855 for a stationary energy storage system?

For this reason, we strongly recommend applying the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 855 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems along with guidance from the NFCC Grid Scale Battery Energy Storage System Planning. Further information can be found in the NFCC BESS Planning Guidance Document.

How do you protect a battery module from a fire?

The most practical protection option is usually an external, fixed firefighting system. A fixed firefighting system does not stop an already occurring thermal runaway sequence within a battery module, but it can prevent fire spread from module to module, or from pack to pack, or to adjacent combustibles within the space.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS), also known as Electrical Energy (Battery) Storage systems or solar batteries, are becoming increasingly popular for residential units with PV solar installations, and (although much less frequently) small wind-turbines¹.

What's new in the UK planning policy guidance on renewables?

The UK government has updated its Planning Policy Guidance on renewables to include a section on the development of battery energy storage systems (BESS) with specific regards to fire safety. Louise Leyland, associate at PWA Planning, takes a look at what’s changed and what it means for developers.

Should automatic fire suppression systems be included in the development design?

Include automatic fire suppression systems in the development design. While there are various types of suppression system available, AF&RS advice that the system is water misting, in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire which may produce thermal runaway, a water system would be more effective in preventing re-ignition.

What's changed in the new planning guidelines for renewables?

Battery energy storage and fire safety – what’s changed in the new planning guidelines for renewables? The UK government has updated its Planning Policy Guidance on renewables to include a section on the development of battery energy storage systems (BESS) with specific regards to fire safety.