National Fire Protection Association releases NFPA 855 ESS
NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems (ESS), produced in updated form on a three-year cycle, provides minimum installation
The standard offers comprehensive criteria for the fire protection of energy storage system (ESS) installations based on the technology used, the setting where the technology is being installed, the size and separation of ESS installations, and the fire suppression and control systems in place.
Electrical and Wiring Safety – Proper electrical wiring and connections are critical for fire safety in energy storage systems. NFPA 855 outlines specific requirements for cable management, grounding, and circuit protection to ensure that electrical components do not pose a fire risk.
In a recent article on grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) fire safety for our quarterly journal PV Tech Power (Vol.43), Drew Bandhauer, BESS engineer at developer Leeward Renewable Energy, described NFPA 855 as “the primary fire standard guiding BESS site design and installation” for the industry. The latest is the 2026 edition.
Fire codes and standards inform ESS design and installation and serve as a backstop to protect homes, families, commercial facilities, and personnel, including our solar-plus-storage businesses.
PDF includes complete article with source references for printing and offline reading.
Download detailed specifications for our commercial energy storage cabinets, PCS, BMS and EMS systems.
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