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Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Fire Safety Design

Go beyond the minimum. Build a safer future for your BESS with multi-layered, performance-based solutions. We partner with you to create a robust first line of defence using cutting-edge blast safety, fire prevention strategies, and fire safety management plans.

We’re helping developers, investors, local authorities and other public sector organisations across the built environment manage and mitigate the blast and fire risk posed by battery energy storage systems (BESS) by leveraging our involvement in fire research, our in-depth knowledge of codes and standards, and our expertise in fire service operations.

Across the built environment, we’re developing and implementing ways to transition away from our reliance on fossil fuels to power our daily lives. As a core part of the solution, battery energy storage unlocks the full potential of renewable energy, making it a reliable and sustainable option for our future energy needs.

However, the rapid evolution of battery technology, including lithium-ion, is creating a race against time for blast and fire safety. Green energy investments are fuelling innovation at a breakneck pace, outpacing the development of fire codes and standards used by firefighters and engineers to keep us safe.

Benefits and features:

  • Experts with a background in high hazard environments.
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems designed in accordance with NFPA 855 and NFPA 68.
  • Theoretical knowledge combined with practical application.
  • In-house Chartered Engineers.
  • Experienced in liaising with approving authorities and Fire and Rescue Service in providing support during planning application.

Built-in fire protection for battery energy storage systems (BESS)

If we’re to fully enable BESS technology and make this revolution truly game-changing, we need fire protection built in from the start. This means creating awareness, clear guidelines, and fail-safe procedures for every place that uses these powerful batteries.

Fire risk assessments, performance-based design, and hazard mitigation analyses offer valuable tools to address the inherent fire risks for the site, and the surrounding area.

BESS fires can pose a significant threat to firefighters, nearby residents, and property. Fire risk assessments identify potential ignition sources, fire propagation pathways, and the severity of potential fires. This allows for the development of appropriate safety measures like fire separations, ventilation systems, and fire suppression equipment.

By proactively addressing fire risks through these tools, developers can ensure the safe deployment of this critical energy storage technology. We bridge the gap between technological advancement and fire safety, which fosters public confidence, minimises the risk of catastrophic incidents, and ultimately paves the way for wider adoption of BESS in the clean energy transition.

Our expertise

  • Fire engineering
  • Fire risk management
  • Structural fire engineering
  • Computational fluid dynamics
  • Expert Witness
  • Digital Golden Thread
  • Blast engineering

Our team of fire safety experts includes Chartered engineers and is BAFE SP205 Gold Standard accredited, which is a measure of the quality of our people. It’s a certification sought by major public sector bodies and property managers when looking for support in delivering their responsibilities around fire safety.

Need to talk to an expert?
Think Hydrock.