Question
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The International Residential Code (IRC) and NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, both have criteria for lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (ESSs) intended for use in residential applications. How can I verify that an ESS is certified for residential use? Which ESSs are certified for use inside the habitable space of a dwelling unit?
Answer
The installation codes and standards cited require a residential ESS to be certified to UL , the Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment, and may also specify a maximum stored energy limitation of 20 kWh per ESS unit. The current edition of UL limits the maximum energy capacity of an individual electrochemical ESS for residential use to 20 kWh (72 MJ). Currently, there is no requirement in UL for these units to be marked “Residential Use,” but such a marking has been proposed for UL for the next edition. However, current UL Marks may or may not include reference to residential use. Marks may or may not include reference to residential use.
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UL also requires an electrochemical ESS intended for use in the living or habitable space of a residential dwelling unit to meet the cell level performance test requirements in UL A, which basically means the battery cells cannot be forced into thermal runaway or produce flammable gases. Any ESS complying with these requirements may include the marking "Suitable for Use in Residential Dwelling Units Where Permitted." However, to date, there are no lithium ion based ESS units that we have tested and found to comply with UL A’s stringent cell level performance requirements. Also, due to potential confusion between other certified residential use ESSs, the marking “Residential Use” has been proposed for inclusion in UL when an electrochemical ESS complies with the unit level residential large-scale fire test performance criteria in UL A. This marking will distinguish these residential systems from the rare situation in which an ESS meets the cell level criteria of UL A and can be marked as being suitable for use in residential dwellings.
An additional revision to UL has been proposed that will require installation instructions for indoor residential electrochemical ESSs to indicate that the units are only intended to be installed in specific locations. Permitted locations would include attached or detached garages, detached sheds, enclosed utility closets, basements, storage or utility spaces within dwelling units. Prohibited locations for an ESS would include habitable spaces and livings spaces in dwelling units, except when large-scale testing demonstrates that the cells that make up the ESS did not go into thermal runaway or vent flammable gas during the cell level test. For this rare exception, an ESS that meets the cell level criteria of UL A (no thermal runaway or flammable gas) can be considered to not present an additional fire hazard from the batteries as there is no added flammability hazards from the cells.
There has also been a proposal for UL that the instructions for residential ESSs indicate that they be installed only in enclosed utility closets, basements, storage or utility spaces with walls and ceilings finished with gypsum wallboard or be of noncombustible construction. If the walls and ceilings are unfinished, wood-framed construction, they must be covered with no less than 5/8-inch Type X gypsum wallboard.
Note:
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Residential ESS Manufacturer.
It appears that any combination of batteries, whether 1 big battery or 10 little ones, counts towards the limit.Very annoying.
It's a real pain in the ass...
I've also been poking around trying to understand this. How would HomeGrid be allowed to have a stack of more than 20 KWH?My guess is simply that if you go above the 20kWh in one location, or max per area (say 80kWh in a garage) then this line is what becomes relevant:
So, if that is the case, would it be fair to say that any/all EG4 server racks with six of their batteries is "illegal" or maybe I should say, "not code compliant"?Correct. You can put 3 in a rack, and have a 2nd rack 3 feet apart. You can also add one more battery 3 feet from that.
So again, is it a single battery, or combination of batteries in one location without spacing? I'll be fine with the 80kWh total in the garage, but I want to ensure I'm not stacking six server rack batteries right next to each other and creating a violation right out of the gate.No, it is 40kWh in the Garage. The combined Garage, Accessory Structure, and Outdoors cannot excess 80kWh.
I've also been poking around trying to understand this. How would HomeGrid be allowed to have a stack of more than 20 KWH?They are capable of being stacked to 38.4 kWh per stack.
No, it is 40kWh in the Garage. The combined Garage, Accessory Structure, and Outdoors cannot excess 80kWh.I'm certainly not here to say you are wrong, as I don't know the rules well enough to determine, but based on that article and the image I posted from said article, it's stating 80kWh in the garage.
In addition, you get 40kWh in Utility Closets and Storage Spaces (inside the house).
Total of 120kWh per house.
Seems pretty simple.I'm all for that, I just don't want to have an unrelated fire or something down the road and have my batteries become a point of contention for an insurance payout.
1. 3 batteries per rack.
2. Pass inspection.
3. Add 3 more batteries per rack.
Problem solved.
And just for me.
4. Get 3 more racks. lol
I'm all for that, I just don't want to have an unrelated fire or something down the road and have my batteries become a point of contention for an insurance payout.That would depend on what your inspector wants.
Also, any reason the batteries "need" to be in a rack? I've got mine on top of a gun safe, it's a convenient location, keeps my child from being able to reach them and efficient use of space. Not sure that would make any difference?
That would depend on what your inspector wants.It pays to have a nice inspector haha!
I would think that if everything is covered and protected from contact, it should be fine. But, it's really up to your inspector.
It pays to have a nice inspector haha!I'm definitely not code compliant. lol
Now, for someone like you that has 76.8kwh of DIY batteries, are you just "not code compliant" in their eyes?
God I get tired of the rules!
I'm certainly not here to say you are wrong, as I don't know the rules well enough to determine, but based on that article and the image I posted from said article, it's stating 80kWh in the garage.Must have changed since I learned about it. I can find a edition that has the 40 + 80 you mentioned, plus 80 on exterior wall, and another 80 "outside".
Must have changed since I learned about it. I can find a edition that has the 40 + 80 you mentioned, plus 80 on exterior wall, and another 80 "outside".Gotcha. I’m still bummed about how this is written. I’ve got PLENTY of room on top of my gun safe for 7-8 batteries, yet now I’m restricted to 3. Certainly not convenient.
Seems pretty simple.Quiet You!
1. 3 batteries per rack.
2. Pass inspection.
3. Add 3 more batteries per rack.
Problem solved.
And just for me.
4. Get 3 more racks. lol