Do energy storage products have to be equipped with smoke sensors

Where should a smoke alarm be placed?

Per the California Office of the State Fire Marshal, you can use a smoke alarm to comply with the code, but only within conditioned space. Heat detectors are designed to work with Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACP) and whole home fire and alarms systems.

What is the purpose of storage fire detection?

SEAC’s Storage Fire Detection working group aims to clarify fire detection requirements in the International Codes (I-Codes). The purpose of storage fire detection is to install heat detectors that are interconnected to smoke alarms. However, the 2021 IRC's requirement faces a challenge as detectors and alarms are different systems that cannot be interconnected with one another.

How do lithium-ion battery energy storage systems protect against fires?

The fire protection challenge with lithium-ion battery energy storage systems is met primarily with early-warning smoke detection devices, also called aspirating smoke detectors (ASD), and the release of extinguishing agents to suppress the fires.

Should heat detectors be interconnected to smoke alarms?

The 2021 IRC requires heat detectors to be interconnected to smoke alarms. However, detectors and alarms are different systems that cannot be interconnected. Heat alarms have an onboard annunciator with a bell, a light, or some other warning signal, and battery backup.

Can a lithium-ion battery energy storage system detect a fire?

Since December 2019, Siemens has been offering a VdS-certified fire detection concept for stationary lithium-ion battery energy storage systems.* Through Siemens research with multiple lithium-ion battery manufacturers, the FDA unit has proven to detect a pending battery fire event up to 5 times faster than competitive detection technologies.

Can a smoke alarm be used in a conditioned room?

Per the California Office of the State Fire Marshal, you can use a smoke alarm to comply with the code within conditioned space. These systems typically have a central annunciator and battery backup for the FACP. The utility room inside the dwelling area might be air conditioned.