Latest fire protection regulations for energy storage containers

However, many designers and installers, especially those new to energy storage systems, are unfamiliar with the fire and building codes pertaining to battery installations. Another code-making body is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Some states adopt the NFPA 1 Fire Code rather than the IFC.

The American Clean Power Association is pushing for greater safety standardization in the energy storage industry, guided by the National Fire Protection Association, and their under development NFPA 855 standard.

While the 2015 versions of the IFC and NFPA 1 do contain some requirements for energy storage systems, they are few compared to the 2018 and 2021 versions. The ESS requirements in the 2018 version, while certainly more restrictive than the 2015 version, are relatively modest.

Fire codes and standards inform energy storage system design and installation and serve as a backstop to protect homes, families, commercial facilities, and personnel, including our solar-plus-storage businesses. It is crucial to understand which codes and standards apply to any given project, as well as why they were put in place to begin with.

Before diving into the specifics of energy storage system (ESS) fire codes, it is crucial to understand why building and fire codes are so relevant to the success of our industry. The solar industry is experiencing a steady and significant increase in interest in energy storage systems and their deployment.

Another code-making body is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Some states adopt the NFPA 1 Fire Code rather than the IFC. Because the NFPA directs and oversees the National Electrical Code, NFPA 1, and NFPA 855, there is often a close correlation in the language between these documents.