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Fire expert briefs commission on NFPA testing, non‑propagation and emergency response for battery systems
Summary
Derek Post of Fire and Risk Alliance told the commission that NFPA standards (NFPA 855/55) govern battery energy storage testing, site separations, detection and emergency planning; he emphasized non‑propagation design and third‑party testing requirements to ensure events remain contained.
Derek Post, a fire protection engineer and firefighter with Fire and Risk Alliance, gave a technical briefing on safety standards for battery energy storage systems, focusing on testing, containment and emergency response. Post explained that manufacturers and systems undergo a series of tests—from cell to module to full unit—to demonstrate non‑propagation and proper operation of thermal management, detection, and suppression systems.
"The most applicable 1 today is NFPA 855" Post said, noting that the standard (and related NFPA 55 language) provides site‑level requirements such as separation distances, fire department access, water storage, emergency response planning, and training. He described industry practice for thermal management, gas detection with exhaust systems, non‑propagation spacing between containers, and the role of remote monitoring. Post and staff said that, with current standards, the county can require hazard mitigation analyses and site‑specific emergency response plans to ensure local first responders are prepared.
Post also said that properly tested and configured systems are designed to limit propagation: "So if there was an event in one of them, it stays in that one." He recommended coordination with local fire and emergency services during plan review and site commissioning, including 'boots on the ground' walkdowns and training once construction is complete.
