What is a sprinkler protection guidance for lithium ion based energy storage systems?

The report Development of Sprinkler Protection Guidance for Lithium Ion Based Energy Storage Systems, published in June 2019 on the FM Global Website, is the basis for recommendations on fire protection and separation distances from both noncombustible and combustible materials.

Does NFPA 13 cover fire protection for lithium-ion batteries?

Since NFPA 13 does not cover fire protection for lithium-ion batteries, the available criteria for fire protection design are limited. At its meeting in December of 2023, the task group discussed the following considerations for fire protection:

How do lithium-ion batteries protect against fire?

Evidence has shown that the key to successful fire protection of lithium-ion batteries is suppressing/extinguishing the fire, reducing of heat-transfer from cell to cell and then cooling the adjacent cells that make up the battery pack/module.

What is battery energy storage fire prevention & mitigation?

In 2019, EPRI began the Battery Energy Storage Fire Prevention and Mitigation – Phase I research project, convened a group of experts, and conducted a series of energy storage site surveys and industry workshops to identify critical research and development (R&D) needs regarding battery safety.

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.

Do energy storage systems need fire protection?

This is typically implemented using safety devices and controlling the operating conditions and environment. To date there is no publicly available test data that confirms the effectiveness of any active fire protection for energy storage systems, and there are no fire protection systems FM Approved for this application.