Hi Jim, Take a look at the requirements in the 2024 IRC for energy storage systems. https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2024V2.0/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2024V2.0_Pt03_Ch03_SecR330
Specifically R330.4. To me, this is kind of insanity when dealing with lithium iron phosphate batteries. I am dealing with it on a project right now, where we are installing batteries in an unfinished basement. We are going to have to build out a drywalled enclosure around the batteries, fire tape the seams, fire caulk the holes where the cables come out, and then also build a custom drywall door that will self-close and self latch. All of this for something that is (according to this youtube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60LEo0Rwpp8) less flammable than a piece of wood. I understand that loose connections can heat up and pose a fire risk, but it is less likely to burn than a loose connection in an outlet in the wall. I wonder if there is even a single example of residential LFP (not NMC) batteries installed properly and with a proper BMS going up in flames? Safety efforts would be better directed at drywalling around every single outlet in the house... NY now enforces this code, and it is really difficult when you come up against an AHJ who enforces it to the letter of the code. Does anyone have an idea how to get this code to realign with reality? Cheers, Dave On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 9:18 AM Jim Gowdy via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: > Good Morning, > I have a customer where we are replacing their FLA battery bank with > Lithium, specifically the Discover Helios ESS 16.1KW battery and they have > concerns about fire suppression in case the battery catches on fire. I've > never really thought about it other than installing them on non > combustible material and letting the BMS handle any over temp, over > charging, etc. I've seen batteries grid tied and offgrid where the > batteries are mounted in all sorts of places and I don't think anyone has > fire suppression on their minds. Has anyone had any experience needing to > install some sort of fire suppression for their battery bank or have any > thoughts on this matter? > > -- > Jim with Gowdy Electric > Cambria, Ca 93428 > business 805 927 2630 > cell 805 975 5279 > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > >
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