Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Best Practices Report

The County of San Diego Fire Protection District has hired a consultant to review the current fire safety standards for BESS, which are large battery systems used to store energy. The goal was to make sure these projects are safe and follow the necessary guidelines to protect people and property. The consultant study found several important requirements that BESS projects need to follow to meet fire safety standards. Here are the main takeaways:

• Follow Fire Safety Codes: BESS projects must follow all safety recommendations from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and standards in the California Fire Code (CFC).
• Install Fire Suppression Systems: Each BESS project must include a proper fire suppression system to put out fires if they occur.
• Keep Safe Distances: BESS projects must be placed at a safe distance from nearby property lines—either 50 feet or 20 feet, depending on the specifics of the project.
• Create a Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan: Every project must have a plan in place to ensure the safety of people in the event of a fire, including a clear evacuation plan.
• Model Fire Risks: The study recommends that BESS projects include a detailed analysis of how fire or smoke might spread (called plume modeling) as part of their safety planning.
• Study Hazards Thoroughly: Projects must include a thorough analysis of potential fire risks, including how to handle fire, alarms, spacing between buildings, and protections against overheating or thermal runaway (when batteries can overheat and catch fire).

In short, the study emphasizes that BESS projects need to take serious precautions to ensure they are built safely and responsibly, with systems in place to prevent and handle fires effectively.

The draft BESS Best Practice Report is now available for your review and feedback. Please send comments via email to Fire@sdcounty.ca.gov or use the form below to share your input.

While this Best Practice Report is one step to creating new standards for BESS applicants to follow, Planning & Development Services will be kicking off an effort to add BESS as a land use within the County's Zoning Ordinance, including zoning and development requirements specifically for BESS in the unincorporated area of the county. This effort is set to kick off in 2025. Please sign up for the email notification list to stay updated on this effort.