The number of residential battery energy storage system (ESS) installs during the first quarter of 2018 increased nine-fold over 2017 Q1 figures, and equaled totals from the previous three quarters according to PV Magazine. To address potential fire and life safety hazards that may occur with solar and ESS technology in both housing and business settings, NFPA has updated and expanded its Energy Storage and Solar Safety Training for the fire service, with funding from FEMA.
Battery Energy Storage
Battery energy storage and solar systems are revolutionising our nation’s electrical infrastructure. Given strong commercial and consumer interest, as well as government incentives, first responders are more likely to encounter emergency calls involving ESS or photovoltaics (PV). To help the fire service handle the unique challenges associated with these rapidly growing energy technology systems, FEMA funded NFPA’s efforts in 2015 to develop the world’s first ESS training program for first responders. In 2017, NFPA received another FEMA grant to update and expand its program to include solar safety and the latest in energy storage research findings.
| NFPA’s enhanced ESS classroom training covers terminology, basic electrical theory, types of PV installations, battery chemistries |
NFPA’s enhanced ESS classroom training covers terminology, basic electrical theory, types of PV installations, battery chemistries (lead acid, lithium-ion, sodium sulfur, and flow batteries), as well as common applications they will be found in. The 4-hour course provides detailed guidance on handling failure modes and potential hazards associated with these technologies, including pre-incident planning, systems shutdown, battery thermal runaway and re-ignition, ventilation, and other emergency response procedures via an instructor-led classroom curriculum. FEMA funding has also been earmarked to enhance NFPA’s self-paced online training with interactive 3D modeling, videos and quick reference materials by the beginning of 2019. NFPA’s enhanced ESS classroom training covers terminology, basic electrical theory, types of PV installations, battery chemistries
Energy Storage Systems
“We are increasingly seeing more high-power battery energy storage systems comprised of hundreds or even thousands of smaller battery cells in our communities. These units connect together to create a much larger power supply capability, and are cropping up in large outdoor shipping containers, inside commercial buildings, at multi-family dwellings, and in residential homes,” NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley said. “Our first responders and enforcers need to know about hazards including electrical shock, batteries exploding or reigniting, HAZMAT issues, and flammable toxic off-gassing so that they can keep themselves and others from harm.”
NFPA has been addressing ESS and solar issues for a number of years, in particular how emergency responders should respond if there’s a fire involving these green technologies. The development of NFPA 855, the proposed Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, is currently underway. Slated to be released in 2020, NFPA 855 will create more stringent ESS requirements nationally, and will work alongside the new NEC Article 706. The Technical Committee for NFPA 855 received nearly 600 public inputs last fall and recently received more than 800 public comments, underscoring the exceptionally high interest in energy capture, distribution and storage. NFPA hosted 50 attendees from across a spectrum of industries for a one-day intensive summit in Denver in February
ESS Classroom Training
| NFPA hosted 50 attendees from across a spectrum of industries for a one-day intensive summit in Denver in February |
As part of the effort to update NFPA’s ESS classroom training curriculum, NFPA hosted 50 attendees from across a spectrum of industries for a one-day intensive summit in Denver in February. First responders, authorities having jurisdiction, inspectors, facility managers, designers, manufacturers, and others weighed in on some of the potentially fraught aspects of ESS including the initial steps first responders should take at an ESS incident; what procedures should be followed; what should be included in pre-planning; what training gaps exist; and determining when it is safe to hand the fire scene back to the building owner. Proceedings and information from the workshop were gathered into a report.
During that workshop, one theme was abundantly clear, much more needs to be done to prepare first responders for hazards associated with ESS and solar energy. An impromptu poll toward the end of the day, indicated that on a scale from 0 to 100 percent, attendees had between a 25 and 50 percent comfort level with regulating and responding to ESS emergencies inside a building. NFPA’s updated and expanded ESS classroom training was designed so that fire service training officers who have participated in a course can host training for first responders, AHJs and others; and address the knowledge gap surrounding alternative energy technology concerns. Contact NFPA for more details.