Best-in-class heat detection for Battery Energy Storage Systems

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and smaller Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) systems play a number of crucial roles in modern society, and Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly the technology of choice for these systems. Despite currently offering the best density of energy storage, li-ion batteries pose a serious fire safety risk due to their immense energy density and the savage intensity with which they burn. Several methods and technologies are employed for fire detection and prevention in lithium-ion batteries within the battery itself. However, for fire safety consultants involved in wider site safety, additional, independent fire detection is essential as the internal monitoring systems are not fail-safe and should the warning signs be missed, a fire can rapidly grow to catastrophic proportions.

In response to increased concerns about li-ion battery fires and the growing popularity of the technology, Securiton has developed a best possible fire detection solution for such applications using a combination of pre-existing and bespoke products. 

The aspirating smoke detector can cover open spaces, power conversion systems and elements of the ventilation system to a VEWFD standard. SecuriHeat d-LIST offers high sensitivity for monitoring the battery racks and can be easily installed so that maintenance and testing does not require close access, while offering precise localisation of a heat incident. Additional off-gas detectors can be placed near the battery racks or the ASD pipe network to monitor the air and provide a further element of fail-safe early warning.

Causes of BESS and UPC fires

• Mechanical battery abuse
• Electrical battery abuse
• Thermal battery abuse
• Manufacturing defects

Challenges to early detection

• Thermal runaway develops at battery cell level before spreading rapidly
• Once a fire is underway, extinguishing it is very difficult
• Battery rooms are generally unmanned, but provide a critical service

Key benefits of the Securiton solution

• Combination of smoke, heat and off-gas detection
• Detect the earliest signs of thermal runaway before fire ignites
• Pinpoint heat detection allows rapid shut-down and isolation
• Whole system is unintrusive and low maintenance