Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are becoming an increasingly common part of our built environment. From utility-scale renewable energy projects to commercial buildings, healthcare facilities and industrial sites, battery storage is helping improve energy resilience while supporting the transition toward electrification.
As these systems become larger and more widespread, they are also changing how buildings are designed and protected from fire. Recent updates to NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems place greater emphasis on hazard analysis, fire testing and system design, highlighting the importance of integrating fire protection strategies early in the project. For designers, engineers and contractors, this means passive fire protection is playing a more significant role than ever before.
Battery Energy Storage is Expanding Across North America
Energy storage systems allow electricity to be stored when demand is low and released when it’s needed most. They’re increasingly being installed alongside renewable energy projects, in commercial developments and at facilities seeking greater energy reliability.
Unlike traditional electrical rooms, battery storage installations introduce unique fire risks. Lithium-ion batteries can experience thermal runaway, a chain reaction in which excessive heat generated by one battery cell spreads rapidly to neighboring cells. While these events are uncommon, they require careful planning because they behave differently from conventional building fires.
Recognizing these evolving risks, the 2026 edition of NFPA 855 introduces expanded requirements for Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA), enhanced fire testing criteria and greater involvement of qualified fire protection professionals during design. These changes reflect the growing complexity of energy storage projects and the need for integrated fire safety strategies.
Passive Fire Protection Helps Contain the Unexpected
While suppression and detection systems remain essential, they are only part of the overall fire protection strategy.
Passive fire protection helps limit the spread of fire, smoke and heat by maintaining the integrity of fire-rated walls, floors and other compartment assemblies. Properly specified firestop systems, fire-resistant construction and protected penetrations help isolate hazards and provide valuable time for occupants to evacuate and emergency responders to intervene.
As battery installations become larger and more sophisticated, maintaining these fire separations becomes increasingly important. Electrical conduits, cable trays, mechanical services and monitoring equipment all penetrate fire-rated assemblies, and every penetration must be properly protected to preserve the assembly’s tested fire-resistance rating.
Fire Protection Planning Begins Earlier Than Ever
Battery storage projects require coordination between architects, engineers, electrical designers, mechanical consultants and fire protection specialists from the earliest design stages.
Room layout, ventilation, equipment spacing and service routing all influence how passive fire protection systems are detailed throughout the building. Decisions made during design directly affect how fire-rated assemblies perform once construction begins, making early collaboration critical to avoiding costly revisions later in the project.
Comprehensive documentation has also become increasingly important, allowing building owners to verify that tested firestop systems have been installed correctly and maintained as future modifications occur.
Preparing Buildings for the Future
As electrification continues to reshape commercial and institutional construction, fire protection strategies must evolve alongside it. Battery Energy Storage Systems represent just one example of how changing building technologies are influencing modern fire safety design.
At IFTI, we work closely with project teams to ensure passive fire protection systems are properly specified and installed, helping preserve fire compartmentation and support long-term building performance. Whether your project involves new construction, infrastructure upgrades or emerging energy technologies, integrating passive fire protection from the beginning helps create safer, more resilient buildings.