All that said, it’s a smart choice to devote some time, energy, and money into figuring out a plan of action to protect Official link your facility from the threats that thermal runaway can bring. To do this, you’ll want to consider these six safety tips for lithium battery energy storage systems:
- Build Your Battery Energy Storage System In Accordance with NFPA 855
NFPA 855 is a standard that discusses a list of requirements to ensure safety, and it’s critical to read and follow them carefully. By building your battery energy storage system in accordance with NFPA 855, you can ensure you’re doing the best you can to prevent any risk and protect your property, products, and people.
It’s important to note here that NFPA 855 is updated fairly frequently, often on an annual basis. Industry experts are continuously learning more about lithium-ion batteries and the risks associated with them, so you should refer to the most current safety standards available for adequate protection.
- Develop an Emergency Operations Plan in Conjunction with Your Local Fire Department and AHJ
If you plan to install a lithium battery energy storage system in your facility, you should consult with your local fire department and authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to develop an emergency operations plan. This plan should be different from your emergency operations plans for other fire hazards, as battery energy storage systems pose different, often more severe, risks. Your local fire department and AHJ will likely have a greater understanding of lithium-ion risks, and will therefore help in creating a more successful plan. - Create Signage to Identify the Contents of Your Battery Energy Storage System
As you install your battery energy storage system, you should also implement some signage around it. This signage should include information about the contents within your system. This helps to alert facility operators or first responders of the potential risks associated with the installation. - Equip Your Facility with Explosion Protection Devices
NFPA 855 requires that any facility with a lithium-ion battery energy storage system should be equipped with an adequate special hazard fire protection system, namely an explosion protection device. While there are a variety of explosion protection devices to choose from, explosion vent panels are some of the most popular. These panels are installed on the top of the battery energy storage system to safely direct the explosion upward, away from most of your people and property. - Install a Fire Sprinkler and/or Suppression System
Fire sprinkler and suppression systems are the bread and butter of fire protection. They do most of the work to combat fire effectively, or at least until your local fire department can get to the scene. If your facility doesn’t currently have one, you’ll want to invest in one (or both!) of them.
What’s the difference between fire sprinkler systems and fire suppressions systems? Fire sprinkler systems release water, while fire suppression systems release gaseous, chemical, or foam agents. In most cases, it’s recommended that facilities with highly combustible substances install a fire suppression system since water isn’t as effective against them.
- Install Specialized Hazard Detection Systems
One of the most important choices you can make for limiting fire and explosion damage from battery energy storage systems is which specialized hazard detection system you install. There are a variety of detection options that can detect the conditions that precede thermal runaway — from temperature increases to off-gasses, smoke, or flames.
The earlier your malfunctioning battery is detected, the sooner you can notify first responders, sound your alarms, evacuate the premises, and activate fire sprinkler and suppression systems. Depending on your unique application, some detection options may suit your facility better than others. Consult with a fire detection expert to help make the best choice.
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