As renewable energy booms, battery storage facilities have become the backbone of clean power infrastructure. But with great voltage comes great responsibility. Lithium-ion and other high-density batteries introduce serious fire risks—thermal runaway, toxic gas release, and explosive failure modes being the most terrifying among them.
That’s why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has stepped in with updated safety standards. In this blog, we’ll break down what battery storage facilities need to know about these evolving fire risks—and how the new NFPA guidelines aim to keep them safe, compliant, and fully operational.
Battery storage facilities—especially those with lithium-ion cells—store massive amounts of energy in dense spaces. That makes them vulnerable to:
Facilities are often installed near substations or even in urban areas, amplifying the risk to life and infrastructure.
NFPA 855 is the first standard dedicated solely to energy storage systems (ESS). Its goal? Minimize the fire and explosion risks tied to battery storage facilities. The guidelines cover:
The NFPA mandates UL 9540A testing, which evaluates battery systems for thermal runaway characteristics. This test determines:
If a battery system hasn't passed UL 9540A, it might not even be allowed on your site under the new code.
NFPA 855 emphasizes the importance of having a formal Emergency Response Plan (ERP). It includes:
Battery fires are not your average electrical issue—responders need to know how to handle gas suppression, confined thermal events, and toxic fumes.
Failing to meet NFPA 855 standards could invalidate your insurance or lead to hefty liability. In 2020, an ESS facility in Arizona experienced an explosion that hospitalized eight firefighters. Since then, insurers and regulators have tightened their scrutiny.
The message? If you're in the battery storage facilities game, safety isn't a feature—it's the foundation.
NFPA 855 is a fire safety standard specifically for energy storage systems, including battery storage facilities. It outlines critical requirements for fire prevention, suppression, and emergency response.
Thermal runaway is a self-reinforcing cycle where battery cells overheat and trigger neighboring cells to do the same. It can lead to fires, explosions, and the release of toxic gases.
UL 9540A evaluates a battery system's fire and explosion behavior. It’s essential for identifying risks and determining how and where a system can be safely installed.
Yes. Water may not always be safe or effective. Clean agent, aerosol, or water mist systems are often required, depending on the battery type and facility layout.
Under NFPA 855, yes. Facilities must coordinate with local fire departments and ensure that emergency responders understand the risks and protocols associated with ESS fires.
We recommend scheduling an annual inspection at minimum. However, high-occupancy buildings or industries with stricter regulations may require quarterly or semi-annual inspections to stay compliant.
Yes. Every inspection includes detailed reports, code citations, and corrective recommendations — all formatted for AHJs, insurance providers, and internal audits.
We offer multi-location service coordination, centralized scheduling, and standardized reporting to keep everything organized and consistent across your properties.
Absolutely. If we identify any violations, our team provides clear next steps, correction plans, and priority timelines to get you back in compliance quickly.
Yes. All of our inspectors are certified, trained to current NFPA standards, and stay up to date with local, state, and federal fire codes.
Most inspections take between 1–3 hours depending on the size and complexity of your facility. Larger or multi-building sites may require more time or follow-up.
