Nordic energy storage fire fighting

Do fire departments need better training to deal with energy storage system hazards?

Fire departments need data, research, and better training to deal with energy storage system (ESS) hazards. These are the key findings shared by UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) and presented by Sean DeCrane, International Association of Fire Fighters Director of Health and Safety Operational Services at SEAC’s May 2023 General Meeting.

Can battery energy storage systems be installed in Sweden?

There are currently no national rules, advice or standards for how fire protection should be dimensioned or where battery energy storage systems can be installed in Sweden. This creates an uncertainty for those who want to install battery energy storage systems. The aim of this project is to produce national guidelines regarding fire safety of BESS

How did the FSRI mitigate ESS hazard?

The deflagrations were mitigated with an engineering deflagration protection system designed as per the NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting. From these test findings, the FSRI developed two tactical considerations for responding to and mitigating ESS hazards.

How can I improve fire safety with ESS?

In addition, you can join a SEAC working group, including the Storage Fire Detection working group and the ESS Standards working group, that’s working to improve fire safety with ESS. Lastly, join SEAC for a virtual workshop on safety and risk considerations when permitting ESS.

How does a fixed firefighting system work?

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. The afected module is likely to be fully lost, but the adjacent modules can be saved.

What are the NFPA 855 fire-fighting considerations for lithium-ion batteries?

For example, an extract of Annex C Fire-Fighting Considerations (Operations) in NFPA 855 states the following in C.5.1 Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) Batteries: Water is considered the preferred agent for suppressing lithium-ion battery fires.