Source of energy storage container fire protection system

Are energy storage systems a fire risk?

Energy storage systems (ESS) are designed to store and release energy on demand. While they have many benefits, they can also pose a fire risk if not properly designed, installed, and maintained. Therefore, fire protection is an important consideration when it comes to energy storage systems.

What is an energy storage system (ESS) enclosure?

An energy storage system (ESS) enclosure typically comprises multiple racks, each containing several modules (Figure 1). These modules consist of numerous lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells, which function as rechargeable batteries designed to store and discharge electrical energy.

Does NFPA 855 permit alternative fire suppression systems?

NFPA 855 also permits the use of alternative fire suppression systems if they successfully pass large-scale fire testing in accordance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 9540A, “Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems,” or an equivalent standard.

What is fire safety in ESS?

One of the most important aspects of fire safety in ESS is mitigating risk of thermal runaway. So, the earlier in the failure of ESS you can intervene, the more likely you are to limit or remove thermal runaway. IFP has a unique and proprietary solution for ESS.

How do ESS fire protection systems work?

While these layers of protection help prevent damage to the system, they can also block water from accessing the seat of the fire. So, large amounts of water are needed to effectively combat the heat generated from ESS fires, and cooling the hottest part of the fire is often difficult.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), simply put, are batteries that are big enough to power your business. Examples include power from renewables, like solar and wind, which are stored in a BESS for later use. There has been an incredible rise in the number of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) utilizing lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in recent years.