Fire Hazard and Risk Assessment Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

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It is considered that the subject facility complies with the above requirements and can be considered as a low-risk site.
Section 4.2.1 requires the following with respect to fire brigade vehicle access:
• Construction of a four (4) metre perimeter road within the perimeter fire break. Response - A 5.0m wide road is provided around and within the site.
• Roads must be of all-weather construction and capable of accommodating a vehicle of fifteen (15) tonnes.
Response - Roads will be constructed to satisfy FRV Guidelines, i.e., the emergency vehicle access road around the facility is considered as being a hardstand and therefore shall also be designed to withstand a point load of 15 tonnes (or 150kN) so that it can withstand an aerial appliance at any location within the boundaries of the hardstand.
• Constructed roads should be a minimum of four (4) metres in trafficable width with a four (4) metre vertical clearance for the width of the formed road surface.
Response - Roads are not less than 5.0m wide, surpassing the required width.
• The average grade should be no more than 1 in 7 (14.4% or 8.1°) with a maximum of no more than 1 in 5 (20% or 11.3°) for no more than fifty (50) metres.
Response - The site is relatively flat and complies with the above.
• Dips in the road should have no more than a 1 in 8 (12.5% or 7.1°) entry and exit angle.
Response - The site is relatively flat and complies with the above, however the road design must assure this
requirement is achieved.
• Roads must incorporate passing bays at least every 600 metres, which must be at least twenty (20) metres long and have a minimum trafficable width of six (6) metres. Where roads are less than 600 metres long, at least one passing bay must be incorporated.
Response – All the perimeter roads are not less than 5.0m. The layout will allow alternative egress and access roads.
• Road networks must enable responding emergency services to access all areas of the facility, including fire service infrastructure, buildings, and battery energy storage systems and related infrastructure.
Response – Access roads are present around and within the facility such that all areas can be accessed.
• The provision of at least two (2) but preferably more access points to the facility, to ensure safe and efficient access to and egress from areas that may be impacted or involved in fire. The number of access points must be informed through a risk management process.
Response – The site has a safe access point direct from Murphys Road on the south-east side of the allotment and a secondary emergency access on the south-west side of the allotment. The main access point is remote from the battery units such that a fire in the batteries will not cause the access point to be compromised.
Section 4.2.2 requires the following with respect to firefighting water supply:
• Water access points must be clearly identifiable and unobstructed to ensure efficient access. Response – Hydrants will be clearly marked and a block plan provided at the booster point.
• Static water storage tank installations must comply with AS 2419.1-2005: Fire hydrant installations – System design, installation and commissioning.
Page 56 of 64 FHRA 11 21 December 2023