The 2026 version of NFPA 855, Standard for Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, was released on September 9th, 2025. NFPA 855 is considered the go-to resource for installing and maintaining BESS projects. While it isn’t an enforceable code in most jurisdictions, the 855 standard is often cited and referred to by jurisdictions, manufacturers, engineers, […]
Codes, standards, and listings are terms that are used frequently and sometimes interchangeably in the solar + storage industry. That overlap can make it difficult to understand what actually matters when you are designing, installing, or reviewing a project. Getting a clear picture of how codes, standards, and listings interact can influence approvals, what equipment […]
Power studies are often treated as a late-stage checkbox—until they aren’t. Projects can be delayed, redesigns may be necessary, and benefits of the studies may be missed if a power study wasn’t performed early enough, or was done incorrectly. The reality is that power studies aren’t just documentation, they directly influence equipment selection, safety and […]
What & When Despite retaining the title, “Standard Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems,” UL 9540A has gotten a makeover. In its sixth edition, this performance standard spells out the testing protocols for a more expansive evaluation of the failure mode that fire officials, AHJs, and community representatives have […]
Properly sized equipment grounding conductors (EGCs) ensure that fault currents are safely carried back to the source, minimizing the risk of equipment damage and electrical hazards. Getting the sizing right is crucial for reliable system performance and overall safety and understanding the factors that influence conductor selection can make a significant difference in both design […]
Back in 2023, we saw many changes to the National Electrical Code (NEC). One change that didn’t get much attention was the expansion of section 706.15 from four (A through D) to five (A through E) subsections. One of those subsections, 706.15(B), clarified and reorganized the requirements for location and control of the energy storage […]
UL 3741 is a safety standard titled Photovoltaic Hazard Control that was first released in 2020 and updated in October 2025. The standard was developed for PV installations required to meet the National Electrical Code (NEC) section 690.12, Rapid Shutdown of PV Systems on Buildings. Installing a PV Hazard Control System (PVHCS) listed to UL […]
The new Code book is here! The new Code book is here! The 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) is now available. And while many of you may not be as excited as I am, it’s always a significant event to see the updates and changes to the NEC every three years. This […]
Introduction and Context within the Commercial and Industrial Market As new technologies and renewable energy solutions emerge on the market, the task of derisking them falls to a cadre of stakeholders. Recent failures involving stationary, lithium-based battery energy storage systems (BESS) are devastating in many ways, but they also offer valuable feedback and motivation to […]
Where can you legally install a battery energy storage system (BESS)? Depending on the system’s use case, battery chemistry, nameplate energy capacity, and provisional equipment space, answering this question demands, in part, that we are well-versed in relevant fire codes. 2024 International Fire Code The clearest statement of requirements for BESS installation location, from a […]
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