Do battery cabinets need a fire rated partition?

The partitions separating the battery cabinets or open battery racks will help limit the spread of a fire from one battery or battery system to another. The partitions need to be floor to ceiling/roof/floor above. Any penetrations need to be firestopped for an hour rating. The partitions are not going to be a true fire rated partition or fire wall.

What type of gypsum board do you need for a battery rack?

The partitions must be constructed of masonry units. The partitions need to extend 6 inches (150 mm) beyond the cabinet or open battery rack. For cabinets that meet UL 9540A, the partitions can be constructed of one layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on both sides of noncombustible studs.

What are the requirements for Bess-Li cabinets & open battery racks?

Sturdy construction with impact resistance equivalent to reinforced concrete or concrete masonry units (CMU) is required. The BESS-Li cabinets or open battery racks must be separated from other BESS-Li cabinets or open battery racks by a minimum of 3 feet (1 m) or by partitions extending from floor to ceiling/roof/floor above.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are devices that enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when customers need powers most.

How do you separate Bess-Li cabinets & open battery racks?

The BESS-Li cabinets or open battery racks must be separated from other BESS-Li cabinets or open battery racks by a minimum of 3 feet (1 m) or by partitions extending from floor to ceiling/roof/floor above. The partitions must be constructed of masonry units. The partitions need to extend 6 inches (150 mm) beyond the cabinet or open battery rack.

Which seismic coefficient should be used for batteries and inverters?

However, if structural analysis can demonstrate the period of the BESS structure is less than 0.6 seconds and can be considered ridged per ASCE 7-16 Section 11.2 definitions, then seismic coefficients for batteries and inverters may be used (ap = 1.0, Rp = 2.5 and Ω0 = 2.0).