§ 3616-07 National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) 855 Amendment Relating to the Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems.
RCNY § 3616-08
Pursuant to § 28-103.19 of the New York City Administrative Code, NFPA 855 (2020 edition) is hereby amended as follows: 1.1 Delete and replace with the following: Scope. This standard applies to the design, construction, installation, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning of indoor stationary energy storage systems (ESS), including mobile and portable ESS installed in a stationary situation and the storage of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries. Outdoor and rooftop ESS are regulated by the New York City Fire Code (Fire Code) and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) rules, and as indicated in section 1.3.2. 1.3 Delete and replace with the following: Application. This standard applies to indoor ESS exceeding the values shown in Table 1.3 and mobile installations in accordance with section 4.5. 1.3.2 Delete and replace with the following: Indoor and outdoor ESS installations associated with one- and two-family dwellings must comply with Chapter 15 of this title, the Fire Code and the FDNY rules. 1.3.3 Delete and replace with the following: DELETED. Table 1.3 Delete and replace with the following: Table 1.3 Threshold QuantitiesAggregate Capacity aESS TechnologykWhMJBattery ESSLead-acid, all types70252Nickel including Ni-Cad, Ni-MH, and Ni-Zn b70252Lithium-ion, all types13.6Sodium nickel chloride2072Flow batteries c2072Other battery technologies13.6Batteries in one- and two-family dwellings 13.6 a For ESS units rated in amp-hrs, kWh equals maximum rated voltage multiplied by amp-hr rating divided by 1000. b Nickel battery technologies include nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), and nickel zinc (Ni-Zn). c Includes vanadium, zinc-bromine, polysulfide-bromide, and other flowing electrolyte-type technologies. 2.1 Delete and replace with the following: General. The documents or portions thereof listed in this chapter are referenced within this standard and shall be considered part of the requirements of this standard. Reference the New York City Building Code (Building Code) for applicable modifications to documents. 2.2 Delete and replace the item containing NFPA 70 with the following: *** NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®, 2020 edition, including the amendments made by the New York City Electrical Code. *** 2.3.7 Delete and replace with the following: UL Publications. Underwriters Laboratories Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062-2096. UL 263, Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, 14th edition dated June 21, 2011, with revisions through August 5, 2021. UL 790, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings, 8th edition dated April 22, 2004, with revisions through October 19, 2018. UL 1012, Power Units Other Than Class 2, 8th edition dated November 9, 2010, with revisions through March 30, 2021 UL 1741, Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources, 1st edition dated January 20, 2010. UL 1778, Uninterruptible Power Systems, 5th edition dated June 13, 2014, with revisions through October 12, 2017. UL 1973, Batteries for Use in Stationary, Vehicle Auxiliary Power and Light Electric Rail (LER) Applications, 2nd edition dated February 7, 2018. UL 1974, Evaluation for Repurposing Batteries, 1st edition dated October 25, 2018. UL 2900-1, Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 1: General Requirements, 2nd edition dated December 13, 2023. UL 9540, Energy Storage Systems and Equipment, 2nd edition dated February 27, 2020, with revisions through April 9, 2021. UL 9540A, Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems, 4th edition dated November 12, 2019. 2.4 Delete and replace with the following: References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2018 edition. NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®, 2020 edition, including the amendments made by the New York City Electrical Code. NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code®, 2016 edition, as modified by Appendix Q of the New York City Building Code. NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, 2018 edition. 3.2.2* Delete and replace with the following: Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure. In New York City, the AHJ for ESS is the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) and/or FDNY. 3.3.3 Delete and replace with the following: Battery Management System (BMS). A system that monitors performance of one or more battery modules in an ESS. Such system may also control and optimize the operation of the ESS, including the ability to control the disconnection of module(s) from the system in the event of abnormal conditions. 3.3.5 Delete and replace with the following: Dwelling Unit. See section 202 of the Building Code for the definition of “Dwelling Unit.” 3.3.7* Delete and replace with the following: Reserved. A.3.3.7 Delete and replace with the following: Reserved. 3.3.8* Energy Storage Management System (ESMS). A system that monitors, controls, and optimizes the performance of an ESS and has the ability to control the disconnection of the energy storage system in the event of abnormal conditions. This system can control one or more individual management systems such as battery management systems. A.3.3.8 Delete and replace with the following: Reserved. A.3.3.9 Delete and replace with the following: Energy Storage Systems (ESS). ESS include but are not limited to the following categories: (1) Chemical: hydrogen storage (2) Thermal: thermal energy storage (3) Electrochemical: (a) Batteries (b) Flow batteries (4) Mechanical: (a) Flywheel (b) Pumped hydro (c) Compressed air energy storage (CAES) (5) Electrical: (a) Capacitors (b) Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) These systems can have ac or dc output for utilization and can include inverters and converters to change stored energy into electrical energy. It is not the intention for ESS to include energy generation systems. It is the intention for ESS to include backup systems facility standby power, emergency power or uninterrupted power supply (UPS). 3.3.10 Delete and replace with the following: Fire Area. An area of a building separated from the remainder of the building by construction having a fire resistance as required in 4.3.6 and having all communicating openings properly protected by an assembly having a fire resistance rating as required by code. 3.3.13 Delete and replace with the following: Large-Scale Fire Testing. Testing of a representative ESS that induces a significant cascading thermal runaway into the device under test and evaluates whether fire will spread to adjacent energy storage system units, surrounding equipment, or through an adjacent fire-resistance-rated barrier and hazards associated with off-gassing such as explosion control and toxic gas requiring ventilation. 3.3.15 Delete and replace with the following: Maximum Stored Energy. The quantity of energy storage, expressed in kWh, permitted in a fire area. Add 3.3.16.1 Deflagration. Propagation of a rapid combustion zone creating over-pressure at a velocity that is less than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium, which may be caused by a thermal runaway condition. 3.3.20 Delete and replace with the following: Thermal Runaway. The condition when an electro-chemical battery cell increases its temperature through self-heating in an uncontrollable fashion and progresses when the cell’s heat generation is at a higher rate than it can dissipate, potentially leading to off-gassing, fire, or deflagration. Add 3.3.22 Maximum Aggregate Rated Energy Capacity. The quantity of energy storage, expressed in kWh, permitted in a control area in accordance with the Fire Code. Add 3.3.23 Module. A subassembly that is a component of a battery ESS that consists of a group of cells connected together either in a series and/or parallel configuration. Add 3.3.24 Unit. A cabinet or enclosure that contains a functional battery ESS including components and subassemblies such as cells, modules, battery management systems, ventilation devices and other ancillary equipment. 4.1 Delete and replace with the following: General. The design, construction, and installation of ESS and related equipment shall comply with this Chapter and as supplemented or modified by the technology-specific provisions in Chapter 9. 4.1.2.1.1 Delete and replace with the following: The plans and specifications associated with an ESS and its intended installation, replacement or renewal, commissioning, and use shall be submitted to the AHJ for approval and include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Location and layout diagram of the room or area in which the ESS is to be installed.
(2)Details on hourly fire-resistant-rated assemblies provided or relied upon in relation to the ESS.
(3)The quantities and types of ESS units.
(4)Manufacturer's specifications, ratings, and listings of ESS.
(5)Description of energy storage management systems and their operation.
(6)Location and content of required signage.
(7)Details on fire suppression, smoke or fire detection, gas detection, thermal management, ventilation, exhaust, and deflagration venting systems, if provided.
(8)Support arrangement associated with the installation, including any required seismic support. 4.1.2.1.2 Delete and replace with the following: Utility installations are subject to approval of FDNY and must comply with the Fire Code including any exemptions and other applicable law, rules, and regulations. 4.1.2.1.3 Delete and replace with the following: The following test data, evaluation information, and calculations shall be provided in addition to the plans and specifications in 4.1.2.1.1 where required elsewhere in this standard: (1) Large-scale fire test data in accordance with 4.1.5.
(b)The areas are separated from the ESS and other rooms and areas containing ESS by 2-hour fire barriers and 2-hour fire resistance-rated horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with the Building Code, as appropriate.
(c)A means of egress is provided from the incidental use areas to a public way that does not require occupants to traverse through areas containing ESS or other energy systems. Add 4.4.2.1.1 An energy storage system in a dedicated use building as defined herein is an indoor system. This definition shall not apply to outdoor structures that are not buildings, including shipping containers, sheds, chemical storage buildings, prefabricated storage units, and other such structures or enclosures whether or not specifically designed to house energy storage systems. Such structures are regulated as outdoor installations pursuant to the FDNY rules. 4.4.3 Delete and replace with the following: DELETED. 4.4.3.1 through 4.4.3.10.2 Delete and replace with the following: DELETED Table 4.4.4 Delete and replace with the following: Open Parking Garage ESS Installations Compliance RequiredOpen Parking Garages**ReferenceAdministrativeYesChapters 1 - 3GeneralYesSections 4.1 - 4.3Maximum sizeYesSection 4.4.3.2Means of egress separationYesSection 4.4.3.4Walk-in unitsYesSection 4.4.3.5EnclosuresYesSection 4.4.3.7Clearances to exposuresYesSection 4.4.4.2Fire suppression and controlYesSection 4.11Open parking garagesYesSection 4.4.4.5Size and separationYesSection 4.6Maximum aggregate rated capacityYesSection 4.8ElevationYesSection 4.3.9Smoke and fire detectionYesSection 4.10SignageYesSection 4.3.5Occupied work centersNot allowedSection 4.7 (Reserved) NAOpen rack installationsNot allowedSection 4.3.11Technology-specific protectionYesChapters 9 - 13 **See 4.4.4.1(2). 4.4.4.2.1 Delete and replace with the following: Rooftop installations shall comply with applicable FDNY requirements for rooftop clearances to exposures. ESS located in open parking garages shall be separated by a minimum 10 ft (3048 mm) from the following exposures: (1) Buildings, except the portion of the building on which rooftop ESS is mounted (2) Lot lines (3) Public ways (4) Stored combustible materials (5) Locations where motor vehicles can be parked (6) Hazardous materials (7) Other exposure hazards 4.4.4.2.2 Delete and replace with the following: Clearances in open parking garages shall be permitted to be reduced based on large-scale fire tests in accordance with 4.1.5, the FDNY Certificate of Approval, and requirements for electrical equipment separation in accordance with the Electrical Code. 4.4.4.3.1 Delete and replace with the following: ESS located in walk-in enclosures in open parking garages shall be provided with automatic fire control and suppression systems within the ESS enclosure in accordance with 4.11. 4.4.4.4 Delete and replace with the following: DELETED. 4.4.4.4.1 Delete and replace with the following: DELETED. 4.4.4.4.2 Delete and replace with the following: DELETED. 4.4.4.5 Delete and replace with the following: Open Parking Garages. ESS and associated equipment that are located in open parking garages shall comply with all of the following: (1) ESS shall not be located within 50 ft (15.3 m) of air inlets for building HVAC systems. When approved, this distance is permitted to be reduced to 25 ft (7.6 m) if the automatic fire alarm system monitoring the thermal image fire detection or radiant energy sensing detectors can shut down the ventilation system connected to the air intakes and close intake and exhaust dampers upon detection of fire.
(9)Contact information for certificate of fitness holders who are responsible for general supervision of maintaining and servicing the equipment and responding to emergencies. 4.5.6.1 Delete and replace with the following: Electrical connections shall be permitted to be made using temporary wiring complying with the manufacturer’s instructions, the UL 9540 listing, and the Electrical Code. 4.5.7 Delete and replace with the following: Deployed Mobile ESS Requirements. Deployed mobile ESS equipment and operations shall comply with this section and applicable FDNY requirements. Table 4.5.7 Delete and replace with the following: DELETED. 4.5.7.1 Delete and replace with the following: Mobile operations on wheeled vehicles or trailers shall not be required to comply with seismic protection requirements in 4.3.3. 4.5.7.5.1.1 Delete and replace with the following: Required separation distances shall be permitted to be reduced when approved by the AHJ. 4.5.7.6 Delete and replace with the following: Electrical Connections. Electrical connections shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the Electrical Code. 4.5.7.6.1 Delete and replace with the following: Temporary wiring for electrical power connections shall comply with the Electrical Code. 4.5.7.8.1 Delete and replace with the following: An approved fence with a locked gate or other approved barrier shall be provided to keep the general public at least 10 ft (3 m) from the outer enclosure of a deployed mobile ESS. 4.6.1 Delete and replace with the following: ESS in the following locations shall comply with 4.6.2 and 4.6.3 unless otherwise permitted by 4.6.4 or 4.6.5.
(1)Indoor ESS installations in non-dedicated-use buildings in accordance with 4.4.2.
