Fire protection requirements for energy storage batteries

4 FAQs about Fire protection requirements for energy storage batteries

Are battery energy storage systems safe?

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 28, 2025 — Today, the American Clean Power Association (ACP) released a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in every community across the United States, informed by a new assessment of previous fire incidents at BESS facilities.

What are NFPA 855 requirements for energy storage systems?

Electrical and Wiring Safety – Proper electrical wiring and connections are critical for fire safety in energy storage systems. NFPA 855 outlines specific requirements for cable management, grounding, and circuit protection to ensure that electrical components do not pose a fire risk.

Should battery storage facilities comply with NFPA 855?

Ensuring Safety at All Future Energy Storage Facilities: Requiring all battery storage facilities to comply with the latest published version of NFPA 855. State and local governments should proactively adopt and enforce this safety standard.

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.