Can the battery cabinet catch fire, and why is a fire protection system a must for it?

Energy Storage System: The energy storage system consists of a series of supporting components including the battery packs, inverters, lines, and fire protection devices. Simply put, our understanding of an energy storage system is that it is a super large battery; will the battery catch fire? The answer is yes, most energy storage batteries are lithium-ion batteries, and the content of lithium-ion batteries is prone to short circuit and spontaneous combustion. In particular, there are numerous reasons for the battery cabinet to catch fire.

Ⅰ、Possible Battery Cabinet Fire Causes

1. The battery is out of control.

Thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries means that in the process of charging and discharging, serious heat accumulation is accumulated because of damage or improper operations that are not serious enough to lead to fire. However, the components included in lithium-ion batteries can be flammable and explosive, leading to either a fire or an explosion.

2. The electrical fault occurs.

If the service life of the battery cabinet is too long, the internal electrical connecting lines may be aging, insulation failure, or poor contact, leading to a short circuit. During a short circuit, sparks may be produced that can lead to fire.

3. Outdoor environment

Some battery cabinets are outdoor or humid environments, outdoor humidity, high temperature in summer are easy to cause circuit short circuit, the appearance of open flames in complex outdoor environment, and may also directly ignite battery materials.

4. Mechanical damage

Mechanical impact or vibration can cause the rupture of the battery housing to induce an internal short circuit and thermal runaway.

5. Battery quality problems

Low-quality batteries, except for design or manufacturing shortcomings, may have flaws related to electrolyte leak and unstable electrode materials; each of these factors increases fire-risk. Solar panels of mediocre material and poor installation could result in short circuits due to bad contact. It goes without saying that when ordering such a battery cabinet, one needs a responsible supplier, good equipment quality, reasonable design, qualitative installation, and increased safety of the devices being used.

Ⅱ、 why does the energy storage cabinet have to be fitted with a fire system?

1. Prompt action when there is a fire risk

During a fire inside the battery cabinet, it spreads quickly and the firefighting protection system can respond promptly and reduce the loss. Combustion of lithium batteries will generate high temperatures and a large amount of toxic gases, such as hydrogen fluoride. The firefighting system can control the fire in the first instance and reduce further harm to the equipment and the environment. Automatic fire extinguishing systems, such as gas or water-based fire extinguishing systems, can put out or control fire sources effectively.

2. Personnel Safety

Fire will release toxic gas, energy storage cabinet closed state, its intelligent fire protection system can detect the accident occurred the first time, before the fire personnel arrival, to reduce the scale of the fire and protect the safety of the surrounding personnel.

3. Meet the specifications

Regarding energy storage, all the battery storage systems, like energy storage systems, have to adhere to the safety codes laid down by the state; these include monitoring equipment and firefighting equipment to avoid fire outbreaks.

4. Minimizing damages to properties

The battery cabinet is generally a rather expensive device and infrastructure; once the fire happens, it will bring huge damage. Fire protection can prevent fire diffusion in time and thus reduce the huge economic loss for the owners.

Ⅲ、 fire system generally used by the battery cabinet

1. Gas fire extinguishing system

Suitable for a closed environment: heptafluoropropane (FM-200), carbon dioxide (CO2), and other fire extinguishing gases can quickly reduce oxygen concentration and inhibit combustion.

2. Water Mist Fire Extinguishing System

Use a fine water mist for rapid cooling and oxygen isolation. The application range involves a lithium battery fire.

3. Dry Powder Fire Extinguishing System

This method quickly extinguishes open flames but with possible corrosive damage to equipment.

4. Heat Detection and Alarm System

Real-time monitoring of the temperature inside the battery cabinet, anomaly detection via a heat detection sensor, and triggering an alarm or fire extinguishing device. The battery cabinet is designed with a fire protection system to avoid potential fire hazards, ensure the safety of equipment and personnel, and meet the requirements of industrial specifications. Specially designed fire protection systems due to the peculiar nature of such hazards are combined with monitoring equipment to provide efficient protection in cases of battery fires.