Fire chief urges caution as planning board considers battery storage rules

Belgrade Fire Chief Dan McKenzie told the planning board that large battery-energy-storage systems (BESS) pose distinct firefighting challenges for small towns without municipal water or hydrants. He described limits on local manpower and the difficulty of cooling and extinguishing thermal-runaway battery fires, suggesting developer-funded suppression equipment and training for local crews.

"We won't be able to haul enough FEMA mutual aid, but we have to cool these things down," McKenzie said, describing the need for containment options and specialist response. Board members discussed siting thresholds, liners or impermeable membranes to capture leachate, and whether the town could require developers to provide fire suppression and annual training. Members also noted state activity and model ordinances; the board flagged NFPA 855 (the NFPA standard for energy storage systems) as a potential technical reference to adopt or incorporate by reference in any local amendment.

The board tentatively agreed to study NFPA 855 and consult the state fire marshal for guidance before drafting local standards, and suggested developer responsibilities (suppression, liners, decommissioning environmental-site assessments) as likely items to include in any amendment to the Commercial Development Review Ordinance. Members emphasized the need to craft requirements that are enforceable and proportionate to local capacity.