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

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• In all vehicles and heavy equipment, each vehicle must carry at least a nine (9)-litre water stored-pressure fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 3A, or other firefighting equipment as a minimum when on-site during the Fire Danger Period.
Response – This will be required as part of the fire safety requirements for the subject site; hence it is considered to be compliant.
Section 4.2.4 requires the following with respect to management of Landscape Screening and on-site vegetation:
• Any proposed or existing vegetation must be considered in the Risk Management Plan for its potential to intensify and propagate fire within and away from the site.
Facilities must be designed so that the radiant heat flux (output) from vegetation does not create the potential for ignition of on-site infrastructure or other vegetation.
Response – The vegetation around the facility has been assessed in section 6.5 in accordance with AS3959 and risk of fire ignition has been addressed in Sections 6.2.3, 6.2.4 and 6.2.5. It was demonstrated that the risk of fire spread between the vegetation and the facility is not likely to occur. It also considers that there is a 10m perimeter clearance between the facility and the vegetation around it.
Section 4.2.5 requires the following with respect to fire breaks:
• A fire break must be established and maintained around the perimeter of the facility, commencing from the boundary of the facility or from the vegetation screening inside the property boundary, and around the perimeter of control rooms, electricity compounds, substations and all other buildings on-site. The width of fire breaks must be a minimum of 10m, and at least the distance where radiant heat flux (output) from the vegetation does not create the potential for ignition of on-site infrastructure.
Response – The vegetation around the facility has been assessed in section 6.5 in accordance with AS3959 and risk of fire ignition has been addressed in Sections 6.2.3, 6.2.4 and 6.2.5. It was demonstrated that the risk of fire spread between the vegetation and the facility is not likely to occur. It also considers that there is a 10m perimeter clearance between the facility and the vegetation around it.
Section 4.2.6.4 requires the following with respect to management of Fire Water Runoff:
• CFA recommends that infrastructure is provided for the containment and management of contaminated fire water runoff from battery energy storage systems. Infrastructure may include bunding, sumps and/or purpose- built, impervious retention facilities. A fire water management plan may include the containment and disposal of contaminated fire water.
Response – This matter will be addressed as a condition on the planning permit that requires a Fire Management Plan.
Section 4.3 recommends that battery energy storage systems are equipped with the following elements:
• Battery management/monitoring systems for monitoring the state of battery systems to ensure safe operation.
• Detection systems for smoke, heat (thermal), fire and toxic gas (off-gassing) within battery containers.
• Suppression systems for fire within battery containers.
• Systems to prevent heat/fire spread within battery containers (such as thermal barriers, shut-down separators, isolation systems, cooling systems).
• Systems to prevent explosion within battery containers (such as ventilation, pressure relief and exhaust systems).
Page 60 of 64 FHRA 11 21 December 2023