Battery storage guidance note 2: Battery energy storage system fire planning and response

This publication provides guidance on how to respond to BESS fires. It represents the 'current state' of knowledge (in 2019), but also identifies gaps in knowledge. The guidance covers primarily non-domestic battery installations, although the guidance may also generally be applicable to smaller, domestic-scale incidents. It provides an overview of the fire risk of common battery chemistries, briefly describes how battery fires behave, and provides guidance on personnel response, managing combustion products, risks to firefighters, pre-fire planning, and fire-aftermath.

Although much of this guidance is generally applicable to other battery chemistry types, this guidance is of particular relevance to fires involving Lithium-ion (Li-ion) chemistries, except where otherwise noted.

The guidance is intended for operating companies, to help plan and understand fire risk and response, and first responders, including firefighters.