Guidance Document

Abstract: Sets out recommended practices for the installation, maintenance, testing and replacement of vented secondary batteries permanently installed in buildings.
Scope:
This Standard sets out recommended practices for the installation, maintenance, testing and replacement of vented secondary batteries permanently installed in or on buildings. It also provides guidance to determine when batteries should be replaced.

The document provides alternative approaches and practices for design, operation, maintenance, integration and interoperability, including distributed resources interconnection, of stationary or mobile battery energy storage systems (BESS) with the EPS at customer facilities, electricity distribution facilities or bulk transmission electricity facilities.

The guide covers outdoor ac substations, either conventional or gas-insulated. Distribution, transmission, and generating plant substations are also included. With proper caution, the methods described herein are also applicable to indoor portions of such substations, or to sub-stations that are wholly indoors. No attempt is made to cover the grounding problems peculiar to DC substations. A quantitative analysis of the effects of lightning surges is also beyond the scope of this guide.

The original guide (1994) was developed to identify substation fire protection practices that generally have been accepted by industry. The new edition includes changes in industry practices for substation fire protection. New clauses on fire hazard assessment and pre-fire planning have been added. The purpose of the original guide (1994) was to give design guidance, fire hazard assessment, and pre-fire planning in the area of fire protection to substation engineers.

The guide discusses various battery systems so that the user can make informed decisions on selection, installation design, installation, maintenance, and testing of stationary standby batteries used in UPS systems.

The document discusses VLA, VRLA, and Nickel Cadmium stationary battery installations and is intended to serve as a bridge between the electrical designer and the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) designer. Ventilation of stationary battery installations is critical to maximize battery life while minimizing the hazards associated with hydrogen production. This guide describes battery operating modes and the hazards associated with each. It provides the HVAC designer with the information to provide a cost-effective ventilation solution.

The guide describes the structure, application and limitations of the Fire Safety Concepts Tree, which provides an overall structure with which to analyze the potential impact of fire safety strategies. NFPA 550 examines the interrelation of fire safety features and their effect on achieving specific fire safety goals and objectives.

NFPA 921 sets the bar for scientific-based investigation and analysis of fire and explosion incidents. Referenced in the field, training, and court, it is the foremost guide for rendering accurate opinions as to incident origin, cause, responsibility and prevention and is intended for use by public sector employees responsible for fire investigation and private sector professionals who conduct investigations for insurance companies or litigation purposes. All aspects of fire and explosion investigation are covered from basic methodology to collecting evidence to failure analysis.

A resource for facts on safe response to electric and hybrid vehicle incidents involving damaged high voltage batteries, battery fires, extrication challenges, submersion, and charging stations. This document covers the vital aspects of EV/hybrid hazard awareness and procedures, including information from related NFPA codes and new consistent Moditech Rescue Solutions® vehicle diagrams.

The document provides interim guidance for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles and identifies appropriate post-crash safety measures for vehicle owners and the general public, emergency responders, and for towing/recovery operators and vehicle storage facilities.