Battery Safety

Status
Not open for further replies.
Z

Zee

Senior Member
Location
CA
Hot topic (so to speak).
The more I learn and the more batteries I have to remove and re-install - because they have failed or been recalled due to fire hazards (!) - ....the more I prioritize battery safety on my PV installs.

What do you recommend as safety measures to increase battery safety in residential installations?
This may include location, chemistry, product choice and installation of safety equipment such as detectors/alarms etc)
 
Complete compliance with NFPA 855. Note that some of these requirements are found in the installation instructions for listed battery storage systems.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zee
Zee said:
Hot topic (so to speak).
The more I learn and the more batteries I have to remove and re-install - because they have failed or been recalled due to fire hazards (!) - ....the more I prioritize battery safety on my PV installs.

What do you recommend as safety measures to increase battery safety in residential installations?
This may include location, chemistry, product choice and installation of safety equipment such as detectors/alarms etc)
Click to expand...

Ask yourself, of the batteries you've had to remove and re-install, how many used lithium nickel manganese cobalt vs. lithium iron phosphate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zee
What do you think of a heat detector or smoke detector for a battery installed on house exterior?
Do they exist?
 
Zee said:
What do you think of a heat detector or smoke detector for a battery installed on house exterior?
Do they exist?
Click to expand...
For what purpose? I doubt any existing products would work outside. The smoke and or heat would probably dissipate too much in the outdoor environment.
 
Zee said:
What do you think of a heat detector or smoke detector for a battery installed on house exterior?
Do they exist?
Click to expand...
Probably an IR camera would do the equivalent of a smoke detector outdoors. It could scan the battery system, and keep track of typical temperature data for a healthy battery as a function of relevant factors like ambient temperature and charge/discharge rate. If it gets abnormally hot without another explanation, it would initiate the alarm.
 
jaggedben said:
For what purpose? I doubt any existing products would work outside. The smoke and or heat would probably dissipate too much in the outdoor environment.
Click to expand...
Heat and/or smoke alarms are required on many indoor installs like in garages and basements.
I figured the house could burn inside or outside, so why not protect it?
 
How 'religious' are the homeowners about not infringing on work space for the batteries-- not storing flammable items in the same areas?
I second LarryFine's firewall or partition. Depending on construction, treat the battery area the same as a fireplace-- non-flammable materials on the walls/ceiling/floor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zee
PaulMmn said:
How 'religious' are the homeowners about not infringing on work space for the batteries-- not storing flammable items in the same areas?
Click to expand...
Judging by the clutter I have seen around some service panels in garages I have seen, I'd have to say "not very".
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zee
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top