Battery (BESS) Fire Protection Systems

Battery Fire Protection allows safe use of battery energy storage systems and industrial power banks wherever they are installed.

The global transition towards renewable energy sources has brought with it increased reliance on battery energy storage systems (BESS) not only in electric vehicles, but in a wide range of domestic and industrial power bank installations too. BESS can help to smooth out variations in renewable energy supplies, such as storing solar power for night-time use, or wind power for times when conditions are calm. High-capacity power banks also offer uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capabilities to ‘keep the lights on’ and run all kinds of electrical devices in the event of a mains power cut. However, large battery banks present unique fire risks that demand unique protection solutions. The high energy capacity and flammable materials used in their construction need proactive monitoring to avoid catastrophe if the battery becomes damaged, short circuits, or if the chemicals inside it start to leak.

Fire risks in battery energy storage systems

Batteries serve a single purpose: to store energy. The larger the battery, the more energy is stored. So when a cell in the battery fails or becomes damaged, there is a risk that the energy inside that cell will be discharged in an uncontrolled way and the battery will ignite. In a lithium-ion battery, if the failure of a cell causes the temperature inside the battery to rise, the materials within can begin to decompose. This process is exothermic, which in turn increases the temperature further, creating a positive feedback loop with a steep growth curve.

Without immediate protective action, thermal runaway can occur. The temperature continues to grow exponentially, the battery becomes unstable, and the energy within is discharged to the surrounding environment without control, causing the battery to light on fire.

Combined with the flammable electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries, thermal runaway can lead to intense fires that take a long time to fully extinguish. The ignited battery provides its own oxygen, making it impossible to starve the flames: the fuel, oxygen and source of ignition all come from within. Despite this, BESS offers some benefits over traditional fuel tanks in terms of safety. With prompt action, it is possible to prevent the battery from igniting at all, even if it is damaged or begins to fail. Before the flames are lit, there is often more time to act with a damaged battery, than there is with conventional fuels that have been exposed to a source of ignition.

But in order to benefit from this window of opportunity, the battery must be monitored and protected using a system that responds quickly when a damaged cell or rising temperature is detected. It is critical to suppress fire and high temperatures before thermal runaway can begin.

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Our Solution

safEV Battery Fire Protection

Our exclusive supplier Dafo UK and Ireland developed safEV (formerly Li-IonFire) to protect against battery fires in electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

Prior to this, the company installed the Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection system in more than 100,000 conventional vehicles worldwide over a 40-year period.

Setting The Standard For Fire Protection Systems: Contact Us Today!

For information about our electric/hybrid vehicle fire suppression systems click here. To find out how we can help you get in touch today or call us on 0800 975 5767.