Understanding Battery and BESS Hazards
Lithium-ion battery systems can present complex hazards, including thermal runaway, fire propagation, flammable gas generation, pressure buildup, and potential deflagration events.
These hazards can be influenced by battery chemistry, system design, operating conditions, installation configuration, ventilation, and available safety measures.
A systematic hazard evaluation helps identify credible failure scenarios and determine whether existing or proposed protective measures adequately address the associated risks.
Our Battery & BESS Hazard Assessment Services
Depending on the system and project requirements, our services may include:
- Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA): Systematic evaluation of credible fire, explosion, and thermal runaway scenarios, potential consequences, and available mitigation measures.
- Fire and Explosion Hazard Evaluations: Assessing risks associated with thermal runaway, flammable off-gas accumulation, ignition, and pressure development.
- Ventilation and Explosion Protection Reviews: Evaluating proposed or existing safeguards intended to manage flammable gas accumulation and explosion hazards.
- Hazardous Materials and Code Compliance Reviews: Evaluating applicable fire and building code provisions associated with battery installations, storage, and operation.
- Safety System and Mitigation Reviews: Assessing proposed hazard detection, isolation, fire protection, and other risk reduction measures.
- Design-Stage Safety Assessments: Supporting engineering teams during battery facility planning, system design, expansion, or modification.
Applicable Codes and Standards
Depending on the application, evaluations may consider relevant provisions of NFPA 855, the International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA 68, NFPA 69, and other applicable codes, standards, and technical guidance.
The applicable requirements and assessment scope depend on the battery technology, installation, system configuration, adopted code editions, and project jurisdiction.
Our Approach
We work with clients to understand their battery technology, system design, operating conditions, and available test data. Through technical document reviews, hazard identification, and engineering analysis, we evaluate credible hazards and potential mitigation measures.
Our goal is to provide practical, technically defensible recommendations that support informed engineering and safety decisions.
What You’ll Receive
Depending on the scope, deliverables may include a documented hazard assessment, review of applicable requirements, evaluation of existing or proposed safeguards, identification of safety gaps, and recommendations for additional risk mitigation.
Developing, installing, or operating a battery energy storage system?
Contact Stonehouse Process Safety to discuss your project and determine the appropriate scope of battery hazard assessment.
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