Fire departments need data, research, and better training to deal with energy storage system (ESS) hazards. These are the key findings shared by UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) and presented by Sean DeCrane, International Association of Fire Fighters Director of Health and Safety Operational Services at SEAC’s May 2023 General Meeting.
Recommendation: Research and testing on fire suppression and explosion prevention systems for lithium-ion battery ESS should address project sites over an extended period of time.
DNV GL did not recommend the use of foam extinguishing agent in the fire of energy storage stations because the battery module fire required rapid cooling to dissipate heat. Compared with water, foam had more difficulty penetrating the gap of battery packs and cooling the insides of batteries. 4.3.4. Liquid Nitrogen
suppression equipment may or may not be provided as an integral part of an ESS, or it may be optional. Depending on the case, the ESS shall comply with all applicable performance requirements in the standard with and/or without the fire detection and fire suppression equipment in place and operational.
Gas fire extinguishing agents have the advantages of no residue, environmental friendliness, and no damage to equipment. At present, the gas fire extinguishing agents for battery fires mainly include halon, carbon dioxide, heptafluoropropane, dodeca-fluoro-2-methylpentan-3-one, and 2-BTP new gas fire extinguishing agents.
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