Fire protection issues for battery

[JohnCorner]

Is there any reference code or standard that I can check for planning fire protection system for battery facilities?

Batteries are lithium-ion batteries, so it is very vulnerable to heat or pressure, and it is very difficult to extinguish fire.

Especially, there are some warehouses in the plant area where these batteries are stored on rack, with little spaces between batteries.

Now I need to plan the fire protection system for these facilities, so I need to check many relevant codes or standards for fire protecting batteries.

Any advice will be very appreciated.

 

[UFT12]

As far as I know, there is still not a valid concept for the protection of lithium-ion batteries that has been standardized and incorporated into standards. It s still a rather gray area. Some information with protection schemes can be found in the storage DS of FM global.

As far as concern protection into racks, a usual concept that circulates around is the confinement of battery packs into a non-combustible enclosure open to one side only in the rack modules. A head is typically dedicated for each.

 

[MJCronin]

John,

I believe that you may be in an arena where Codes and Standards are currently being developed !!

Good luck !!! ..... and please keep us posted about the specific NFPA Standards that you feel will govern your facility

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[HVAC-Novice]

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=855[/url]

 

[FacEngrPE]

Here is a UL presentation on NFPA 855. This link finds more useful information

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=NFPA+855&ia=web.

Video overviews
NFPA Standard 855 and the International Fire Code
Development of Fire Protection Guidance for Energy Storage Systems; Sep 2, 2021

Videos of battery fire tests

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=battery+fire+test&t=ffab&iar=videos&iax=videos&ia=videos

So lots of activity, expect changes in the future.

 

[UFT12]

I get the feeling the OP was probably talking about manufacturing and storage of lithium-ion batteries. I am not sure if NFPA 855 is applicable for such occupancy.

 

[FacEngrPE]

NFPA 855 is probably not directly applicable, but fire protection for Li Ion batteries is still under research and in a state of flux. So use the information available, and talk to your underwriter.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

Recently designed the system for lithium storage batteries to a maximum height of 8 ft in a room with a 12 ft ceiling height.

FM Global job.

ESFR K22.8 discharge @ 35 psi.

 

[aaron johnson llc]

Here are a few codes that I would recommend for your research:
-- NFPA 1:52 - also refers the user to NFPA 855.
-- IBC 907.2.23 - requires automatic smoke detection
-- IFC 1207.5.5 - requires 1 of 3 options for fire suppression