Battery Storage Fire Safety: desk report

The rule

Code computed the rating from the assessor's inputs:

pathway=individual -> 3

Set by the rule

Decision

Released with flags

The engine's reasons

• Agencies not in the register or the evidence: SFM, Carroll County

Evidence state

REPORTED · desktop, consultant or developer record

The assessor's comments

UL 9540-listed enclosure with unit-level test data and an FMEA hazard analysis. Design follows NFPA 855 (2020) and the Ohio Fire Code, but the governing edition is unconfirmed. No hydrants (nearest water about 4 miles), no internal suppression, no large-scale test. Fire department has not reviewed the design.

Worst case

The same rule on the worst case gives no rating above the point.

• Present: yes

  Project includes battery storage: BESS yard proposed on Parcel 5 (C-0caa870c61) with a UL 9540-listed enclosure selected (C-5e6f39a39c). The zoning verification (C-8041623932) says no local zoning or setback standard applies; this does not remove fire code or OPSB requirements.

  Cites C-0caa870c61, C-5e6f39a39c, C-8041623932

• Extent: peripheral

  BESS is a defined yard 150 feet from the nearest property line, with heat flux below 12.6 kW per square meter at the fence and adjacent rows (C-76f3e4d772, C-d757c50e61), so room for code distances appears available. Water and response gaps (C-04a3f6e338, C-08b9d4306e) are not shown to make the whole area unbuildable. The yard cannot sit over the undermined area (C-f29a379025).

  Cites C-76f3e4d772, C-d757c50e61, C-04a3f6e338, C-08b9d4306e, C-f29a379025

• Avoidable: partly

  UL 9540 listing, a unit-level test showing no module-to-module propagation and an FMEA hazard mitigation analysis exist (C-5e6f39a39c, C-ce7cc27a08, C-00c5859e81). But no hydrants nearby (C-04a3f6e338), no internal suppression (C-9775cc58ba), no large-scale test beyond UL 9540A (C-b6407da087), a fire department that has not reviewed the design (C-08b9d4306e) and an unconfirmed governing code edition (C-e96c5bf196) mean measures beyond standard design are likely. Design cites NFPA 855 (2020) and the Ohio Fire Code (C-5162b7c0aa).

  Cites C-5e6f39a39c, C-ce7cc27a08, C-00c5859e81, C-04a3f6e338, C-9775cc58ba, C-b6407da087, C-08b9d4306e, C-e96c5bf196, C-5162b7c0aa

• Pathway: individual

  OPSB staff treats the BESS as part of the generating facility and expects a fire protection, safety and medical emergency plan with local responders (C-e7f77313ec, C-05d57cf46e, C-6bf1273c36). Opponents raised battery fire risk and volunteer fire department response capacity (C-6bdcc9fa85), and fire department review is outstanding (C-08b9d4306e). A state-level review with documented fire-risk opposition fits individual. Whether the local fire official requires a permit is unconfirmed (C-e96c5bf196).

  Cites C-e7f77313ec, C-05d57cf46e, C-6bf1273c36, C-6bdcc9fa85, C-08b9d4306e, C-e96c5bf196

• Impact likely: yes

  No hydrants in the area and nearest pressurized water about 4 miles away (C-04a3f6e338); design relies on defensive firefighting with no internal suppression (C-9775cc58ba), so on-site water storage or similar physical measures are likely. No large-scale fire test beyond UL 9540A exists (C-b6407da087).

  Cites C-04a3f6e338, C-9775cc58ba, C-b6407da087

Supporting statements (19)

Each claim the row cites: the statement in the assessor's words, then the quote the engine found on the page.

1. C-00c5859e81

   A hazard mitigation analysis using FMEA was completed for the enclosure design.

   A hazard mitigation analysis using failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) was completed for the enclosure design.

   Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 1 · 2023-06-28

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-00c5859e81

2. C-04a3f6e338

   There are no fire hydrants near the yard; the nearest pressurized water is in Carrollton, about 4 miles away.

   There are no fire hydrants in the area; the nearest pressurized water is in Carrollton, about 4 miles away.

   Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 2 · 2023-06-28

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type absence · Polarity absence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   Cited by AQ-03 · Filed under AQ-03, EG-04

   See it on page 2, claim C-04a3f6e338

3. C-05d57cf46e

   Staff expects a fire protection, safety and medical emergency plan prepared with local responders, including the battery system.

   A fire protection, safety and medical emergency plan prepared with local responders, including the battery

   OPSB Pre-Application Conference Summary - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0026 · Page 1 · 2023-03-28

   Source agency_determination · Claim type regulatory · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-05d57cf46e

4. C-08b9d4306e

   The first-due volunteer fire department, about 5 miles away with two engines and one tanker, has not yet reviewed the design or response plan.

   The first-due fire department is a volunteer department about 5 miles away with two engines and one tanker. It has not yet reviewed the design or the response plan.

   Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 2 · 2023-06-28

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type data_gap · Polarity neutral · Confidence medium · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 2, claim C-08b9d4306e

5. C-0caa870c61

   Proposed improvements include solar arrays, inverters, collection lines, access roads; Parcel 5 would host a substation and battery storage yard.

   Proposed improvements: solar arrays, inverters, collection lines, access roads; on Parcel 5 a substation and battery storage yard.

   Standard Flood Hazard Determination - Tamsin Ridge Parcels 5, 9 and 10 · DR-0009 · Page 1 · 2023-03-15

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type project_fact · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   Filed under EG-04, EN-01, PE-03

   See it on page 1, claim C-0caa870c61

6. C-2b046d39ca

   Northfold committed to meet the volunteer fire department and county EMA on the emergency response plan and fund training and equipment.

   Meet the volunteer fire department and the county emergency management agency on the emergency response plan; fund training and equipment.

   Summary of the County Public Meeting under ORC 303.61 - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0023 · Page 1 · 2023-05-12

   Source developer_document · Claim type recommendation · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-2b046d39ca

7. C-5162b7c0aa

   Design follows NFPA 855 (2020 edition) and the Ohio Fire Code energy storage provisions as adopted by the State Fire Marshal.

   The design follows NFPA 855 (2020 edition) and the energy storage provisions of the Ohio Fire Code as adopted by the State Fire Marshal.

   Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 1 · 2023-06-28

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type regulatory · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-5162b7c0aa

8. C-5e6f39a39c

   The selected enclosure is listed to UL 9540 as an energy storage system.

   The selected enclosure is listed to UL 9540 as an energy storage system.

   Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 1 · 2023-06-28

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-5e6f39a39c

9. C-6bdcc9fa85

   Opponents' most frequent concern was fire risk from the battery storage yard and volunteer fire department response capacity.

   Fire risk from the battery storage yard and the response capacity of the volunteer fire department.

   Summary of the County Public Meeting under ORC 303.61 - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0023 · Page 1 · 2023-05-12

   Source developer_document · Claim type stakeholder · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   Cited by CO-02 · Filed under CO-02, EG-04

   See it on page 1, claim C-6bdcc9fa85

10. C-6bf1273c36

    The OPSB application must include a fire protection, safety and medical emergency plan developed with local responders.

    The OPSB application must include a fire protection, safety and medical emergency plan developed with local responders.

    Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 1 · 2023-06-28

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type regulatory · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Filed under EG-04, PE-02

    See it on page 1, claim C-6bf1273c36

11. C-76f3e4d772

    The BESS yard is 150 feet from the nearest property line and 610 feet from the nearest residence (R-6).

    The yard is 150 feet from the nearest property line and 610 feet from the nearest residence (R-6).

    Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 2 · 2023-06-28

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Filed under CO-02, EG-04

    See it on page 2, claim C-76f3e4d772

12. C-8041623932

    No local zoning, conditional use, variance or site plan approval is required, and no local setback, height or screening standard applies to the proposed facility.

    No local zoning permit, conditional use permit, variance or site plan approval is therefore required for the proposed facility, and no local setback, height or screening standard applies to it.

    Zoning Verification - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0022 · Page 1 · 2023-02-14

    Source agency_determination · Claim type absence · Polarity absence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Cited by PE-01, VI-01 · Filed under EG-04, PE-01, VI-01

    See it on page 1, claim C-8041623932

13. C-9775cc58ba

    There is no internal fire suppression in the enclosures; design relies on containment, spacing, explosion control and defensive firefighting.

    There is no internal fire suppression: the enclosure design relies on containment, spacing and explosion control, and on a defensive firefighting approach.

    Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 1 · 2023-06-28

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type absence · Polarity absence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    See it on page 1, claim C-9775cc58ba

14. C-b6407da087

    No large-scale fire test beyond UL 9540A has been performed for this enclosure.

    No large-scale fire test beyond UL 9540A has been performed for this enclosure

    Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 1 · 2023-06-28

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type absence · Polarity absence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    See it on page 1, claim C-b6407da087

15. C-ce7cc27a08

    In the UL 9540A unit-level test, thermal runaway in one module did not spread to adjacent modules and no flaming occurred outside the enclosure.

    thermal runaway started in one module did not spread to adjacent modules, no flaming outside the enclosure was observed

    Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 1 · 2023-06-28

    Source field_study · Claim type study_finding · Polarity presence · Confidence medium · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    See it on page 1, claim C-ce7cc27a08

16. C-d757c50e61

    Heat flux modeling of a single fully involved enclosure shows less than 12.6 kW per square meter at the fence and adjacent enclosure rows.

    shows less than 12.6 kW per square meter at the fence and at the adjacent enclosure rows

    Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 2 · 2023-06-28

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity absence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    See it on page 2, claim C-d757c50e61

17. C-e7f77313ec

    Staff will treat the battery system as part of the generating facility.

    Staff will treat the battery system as part of the generating facility.

    OPSB Pre-Application Conference Summary - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0026 · Page 1 · 2023-03-28

    Source agency_determination · Claim type agency_position · Polarity neutral · Confidence medium · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Cited by PE-02 · Filed under EG-04, PE-02

    See it on page 1, claim C-e7f77313ec

18. C-e96c5bf196

    The governing code edition and whether the local fire code official will require a construction permit for an OPSB-certificated facility have not been confirmed.

    The edition that will govern, and whether the local fire code official will require a construction permit for a facility certificated by the OPSB, have not been confirmed.

    Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 1 · 2023-06-28

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type data_gap · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Filed under EG-04, PE-01

    See it on page 1, claim C-e96c5bf196

19. C-f29a379025

    The substation, BESS yard and inverters must not be built over the undermined area.

    The substation, the BESS yard and the inverters must not be built over the undermined area.

    Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Report - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0018 · Page 2 · 2023-05-15

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type constraint · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Cited by EN-02 · Filed under EG-04, EN-02

    See it on page 2, claim C-f29a379025

• Confirm governing fire code edition and whether the local fire official requires a permit for the OPSB-certificated facility.
• Meet the volunteer fire department and county EMA early; finalize the emergency response plan and plan on-site water storage.
• Evaluate need for large-scale fire testing.

Agencies