The National Fire Academy has announced an offering for Fire and EMS personnel of a new online, self-study course on energy storage system (ESS) concepts and principles to facilitate hazards analysis and response for ESS incidents.
Many of the modern devices that we use daily rely on some type of electrical source to power their operation. Many device manufacturers are using batteries to allow mobility and function without connection to the electrical power grid.
Fire growth rate
The impact of lithium-ion battery involvement on fire growth rate suggests that when firefighters respond to these incidents, they should consider:
- Rapid fire growth.
- Explosion hazards.
- The potential for unburned battery gas in a ventilation-limited fire to increase the flammability of smoke, which can increase risk of backdraft.
Thermal runaway
Lithium-ion batteries may go into thermal runaway in the absence of active fire. Thermal runaway can be recognized as distinct white or gray battery gas leaking from the structure and forming low-hanging clouds. If there is a suspected case of batteries in thermal runaway and there are no indicators of a concurrent fire, a structure should not be approached or entered to take gas meter measurements. In all cases when lithium-ion thermal runaways are suspected, hose lines should be pre-deployed, charged and ready for operations before ventilation or entry.
Explosion hazard
This begins the instant batteries undergo thermal runaway and release gas without burning. The timing and severity of a battery gas explosion is unpredictable. Firefighters are at greatest risk for explosion hazards in the driveway and at doors, windows and other vent points. To avoid this hazard, the fire apparatus should not be parked in front of the garage door.
Confirmation of battery involvement
Energy Storage Systems Q0757 Course Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Define an energy storage system (ESS)
- Recognize hazards associated with ESS
- Associate chemical ESS hazards with Lithium-Ion-Battery Energy Storage Systems (LiBESS)
- Associate thermal ESS hazards with LiBESS
- Identify response consideration during LiBESS incidents
- Identify the post-incident operations following an ESS response
Source: U.S. Fire Administration
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Considerations for Fire Service Response to Residential Battery Energy Storage System Incidents Fire Research and Development Technical Report, Dec 2023