Energy storage
fire safety
GridSolv Quantum:
Fire & explosion safety
Safety is Wärtsilä's number one priority
Energy storage solutions built with safety at the forefront
With a fundamental commitment to safety, Wärtsilä is proud to hold a 100% safety record for our GridSolv Quantum energy storage system (ESS). Our design and approach to safety is comprehensive and aimed at de-risking the financing, installation, and operation throughout the project lifecycle—providing high value and lower total cost of ownership.
Wärtsilä is an active member and partner of organisations across the energy storage industry, aimed at educating and advancing best practices in fire safety and emergency response.
Brochure
Fire & Explosion Safety
Wärtsilä Energy Storage & Optimisation's No.1 commitment is ensuring that our energy storage solutions are built with safety at the forefront.
Safety first: prioritising fire safety
Meeting and exceeding standards
GridSolv Quantum is compliant with the 2023 revision of NFPA 855, NFPA 69, UL 9540 and UL 9540A requirements.
Large-scale testing
Two large-scale fire tests showing no propagation from unit-to-unit.
Fire detection and alarm system
Advanced (addressable) fire detection and alarm systems.
Permitting package
Industry-leading permitting package and support.
Comprehensive R&D
Extensive R&D and product testing to further enhance our knowledge and improve product performance.
Educating stakeholders
Prioritising education of customers, first responders, and communities.
Industry-leading permitting package
Hazard mitigation analysis
Completed by a third-party specialty fire and risk engineering firm. GridSolv Quantum meets the Hazard Mitigation Analysis criteria as outlined in relevant local and international fire codes.
Emergency response
Generic template easily made site-specific. Virtual and in-person training available.
Fire risk assessment
Smoke and toxic gas modelling in addition to other site-specific risks.
Fire safety video series, ep 1
Designing safe energy storage systems
Hear our Fire Safety Engineer Mishaal SyedNaveed discuss how to ensure energy storage projects are as safe as possible with Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC's Managing Partner Noah Ryder, PhD, P.E., MBA.
Podcast
CleanTech Talk: Meeting & Exceeding Energy Storage Fire Safety Testing Requirements
Our experts Chris Groves and Mishaal SyedNaveed discuss baseline fire testing requirements and the importance of exceeding them.
Podcast
CleanTech Talk: How Better Testing Can Stop Grid-Scale Battery Fires
How better testing can stop grid-scale battery fires featuring our Fire Protection Engineer and our partner Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC
Wärtsilä’s bespoke testing is the ideal way to demonstrate that a fire will not propagate between ESS enclosures or from string to string. This outcome illustrates that with minimal or no response from the fire service or other responders, a fully-involved fire is unlikely to spread beyond the initiating unit.
Education: addressing the gaps between manufacturers and code compliance
Addressing fire safety concerns
Wärtsilä is at the forefront of collaborating with stakeholders knowledgeable in fire science and safety at the product design level to address customer and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) concerns.
Hazard mitigation analysis
We discuss with and coach our customers on whether they are conducting a Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA), including a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) and an Emergency Response Plan (ERP).
Safety first no matter project scope
We consult with a fire safety-first mindset, regardless of project scope, contract, and independent of where the project site lives.
Adapting to different needs
We take a project-specific approach to fire safety, factoring in site layout, human and environmental conditions.
Frequent discussions with AHJs
We encourage early and frequent discussions with AHJs.
Partners: research, memberships, testimonials
UL 9540 standard
Wärtsilä is a member of the UL 9540 standard, which covers both UL 9540 and UL 9540A + a member of task group reviewing containerised system testing for UL 9540A.
NFPA 855 task groups
Wärtsilä actively participating in NFPA 855 task groups and public commenting.
Specialised personnel
Wärtsilä has Fire Protection Engineers on staff and is participating in global conferences and education sessions on ESS fire safety and testing.
Energy Storage Research Consortium
Wärtsilä is a member of NFPA’s Energy Storage Research Consortium (“ESRC”) to support industry-relevant fire protection issues and identify related research needs that could be met through research projects.
Standard committee: C800
Wärtsilä is participating in a standard committee for C800: testing protocol for Energy Storage System Reliability and Quality Assurance Program.
Standard committee: C22.2 no. 350
Wärtsilä is participating in a standard committee for C22.2 no. 350: test method for safety and performance of thermal barriers for use in batteries and battery-based energy storage systems.