National Fire Protection Association updates safety standards for lithium-ion battery systems in data centers
Summary
Data centers are facing significant safety threats primarily stemming from their lithium-ion battery systems, which are essential for backup power but pose risks during failure. The reliance on these batteries has intensified, particularly after incidents like the September 2025 fire in South Korea, initiated by a lithium battery explosion, highlighting the need for rigorous safety measures. Recent standards, such as the 2026 edition of NFPA 855 and the sixth edition of UL 9540A, emphasize the importance of performance-based hazard mitigation and include enhanced testing for fire risks associated with these energy storage systems. As a result, there is a critical shift towards incorporating early hydrogen off-gas detection systems to prevent thermal runaway incidents, ensuring that safety protocols keep pace with the rapid deployment of lithium-ion technologies in data centers.
Analysis
UL: UL is a global safety science organization that develops testing standards, certification programs, and performance criteria for electrical equipment, batteries, and fire protection systems. Its standards guide product safety evaluations and inform installation codes for energy storage in commercial facilities. In 2026, UL released the sixth edition of UL 9540A, which expands large-scale fire testing protocols to better evaluate thermal runaway propagation and off-gassing risks in battery energy storage systems for data centers and similar applications. National Fire Protection Association: The National Fire Protection Association is a nonprofit organization that develops, publishes, and advocates for fire safety codes, standards, and research used worldwide. It maintains standards addressing electrical systems, energy storage, and fire protection in critical infrastructure including data centers. In 2026, NFPA hosted webinars and released the 2026 edition of NFPA 855, which strengthens requirements for hazard mitigation analysis, gas detection, and explosion control in lithium-ion battery installations. Regulation: The 2026 edition of NFPA 855 places greater emphasis on performance-based hazard mitigation analysis and active explosion prevention strategies for stationary energy storage systems. Safety Focus: Recent industry guidance highlights the shift toward early hydrogen off-gas detection systems in enclosed lithium-ion battery cabinets to address thermal runaway risks before visible smoke or fire develops. Standards Update: UL released the sixth edition of UL 9540A in 2026, incorporating enhanced installation-level testing scenarios that include intentional ignition of off-gases to assess fire and explosion risks more comprehensively.
Categories
tech
Related sources
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