Storage of Lithium Metal and Lithium Ion Batteries
New Regulations in NFPA 855 and the International Fire Code
Location Details: Online (meeting link will be provided in registration confirmation email)
Program: NFPA 855 was first published in 2020 to regulate hazards associated with energy storage systems and included regulations for the storage of used or off-specification batteries or cells. The 2023 edition is being expanded to include regulations for storage of all lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries, new or used, which present a significant challenge to designing and installing fire protection systems. In addition, the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code contains a new section with similar provisions covering indoor and outdoor lithium battery storage, including new regulations for permits, fire safety plans, storage arrangements, technical reports, construction features, fire sprinkler and alarm systems. This presentation will inform participants about the new NFPA and IFC provisions and is a must for anyone involved in design, review or inspection/code enforcement for facilities that have battery storage...ranging from collection bins at retail stores to places where batteries are stored or recycled on a commercial scale.
Presenters: Robert Davidson, Davidson Code Concepts. Mr. Davidson is the Managing Partner of Davidson Code Concepts, LLC, Mr. Davidson has more than thirty years of experience in both the volunteer and career fire service as well as law enforcement, emergency management and EMS. With over 25 years as a code enforcer, he retired as Fire Marshal in charge of the Fire Safety Division of the South Brunswick Township Code Enforcement Department, with responsibilities including enforcement of the NJ Uniform Fire Code and managing the Office of Emergency Management.
He has experience teaching a variety of subjects involving health, safety and code enforcement for the International Association of Fire Fighters; the International Code Council; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; The NJ University of Medicine and Dentistry; Middlesex County College, Middlesex County NJ Fire Academy, University of North Carolina School of Architecture, Charlotte Campus and University of Texas-Arlington Campus. He has been a speaker at numerous NFPA World Safety Conferences as well as at state and regional code official conferences.
Mr. Davidson gained national recognition as the Chair of the International Code Council’s International Fire Code Development Committee. In September of 2006, he was the recipient of the International Code Council’s annual ‘ICC Fire Service Award,’ and in 2011 he was awarded with an ICC Honorary Membership.
Mr. Davidson now specializes in regulations for renewable energy, including energy storage systems and photovoltaic roof systems; the use of hydrogen as a fuel; and biomass to ethanol conversions. His current and former clients in these area include Tesla, Panasonic, Rivian, Bloom Energy, Toyota USA, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Oakridge National Laboratory. He is a member of the NFPA 855 Energy Storage Systems and NFPA 1 Fire Code technical committees and a key participant in the ICC process on these topics directly as well as part of the ICC Fire Code Action Committee Energy Work Group.
GET YOUR CEUs: TFPA and NFSA Texas Chapter members who participate in this program will receive ICC Preferred Provider and TCFP CEU credits. If you're not currently a member, TFPA membership is only $20/year to receive CEUs and other benefits.
Schedule:
11:00 - 11:10 a.m. - Business meeting
11:10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Presentation
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
November 9th at 10:00 a.m.