Page | 007 Access
Site access
Suitable facilities for safely accessing and egressing the site should be provided. Designs should be developed in close liaison with the local FRS as specific requirements may apply due to variations in vehicles and equipment.
This should include:
At least 2 separate access points to the site to account for opposite wind conditions/direction.
Roads/hard standing capable of accommodating fire service vehicles in all weather conditions. As such there should be no extremes of grade.
A perimeter road or roads with passing places suitable for fire service vehicles.
Road networks on sites must enable unobstructed access to all areas of the facility.
Turning circles, passing places etc size to be advised by FRS depending on fleet.
Access between BESS units and unit spacing
In the event of a fire involving a BESS unit, one of the primary tactics employed will be to prevent further unit to unit fire spread. Suitable access for firefighters to operate unimpeded between units will therefore be required. This should allow for the laying and movement of hose lines and, as such, access should be free of restrictions and obstacles. The presence of High Voltage DC Electrical Systems is a risk and their location should be identified. Exclusion zones should be identified.
A standard minimum spacing between units of 6 metres is suggested9 unless suitable design features can be introduced to reduce that spacing. If reducing distances a clear, evidence based, case for the reduction should be shown.
Any reduction in this separation distance should be design based by a competent fire engineer. There should be consideration for the fire separation internally and the total realistic load of fire. Proposed distances should be based on radiant heat flux (output) as an ignition source.
The NFCC does not support the stacking of containers/units on top of one another on the basis of the level of risk in relation to fire loading, potential fire spread, and restrictions on access.
Distance from BESS units to occupied buildings & site boundaries
Individual site designs will mean that distances between BESS units and occupied buildings/site boundaries will vary. Proposed distances should take into account risk and mitigation factors. However, an initial minimum distance of 25 metres is proposed prior to any mitigation such as blast walls. Reduction of distances may be possible in areas of lower risk (e.g. rural settings). Where possible buildings should be located upwind.
9 FM Global (2017) Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets: Electrical Energy Storage Systems, para. 2.3.2.2 Page 7 of 10 Version 1.0 November 2022
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