NFPA 855 What To Do for Data Centers When They Want to Change Out the Lead Acid Batteries to Lithium Ion?

NFPA 855 Partnering with AHJs to Implement Local Codes

NFPA 855 Why is Partnering with Organizations like FSSA, NFPA & ICC Important?

NFPA 855 How to Work with Your AHJ on an HMA

NFPA 855: Would Annunciator Panels Have Made a Difference at the McMicken Arizona Lithium-Ion Facility Fire?

NFPA 855: What is a Plume Study and Why is it Important to your Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA)?

The Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA) is step number one. This is the first thing that you as manufacturers, you as installers, you as property managers that are looking for properties, need to talk about; do we have an HMA for our batteries? I had someone come up to me recently and say, well, sometimes when we pick a site, we don't know the technology. Okay, you normally have a couple in mind or two, or three. Make an HMA with all three technologies and then we can just get rid of the ones that you don't end up using. But let's start this hazard mitigation analysis early. Because what it does is it looks at the consequences of failure. And if you look at the Phoenix Fire Code, we require this for every single battery installation. NFPA 855 and the base International Fire Code (IFC) has three different criteria.

NFPA 855: How are battery manufacturers working with UL to create safer batteries?

In the ICC, Chapter 12 is what deals with lithium ion and other batteries Currently, there's a committee called the Fire Code Action Committee that brings in industry, manufacturers, AHJ’s, like myself, and experts. We're working on different parts of Chapter 12 for energy issues. Be careful, just because a jurisdiction adopts Chapter 12, we might amend it. In the City of Phoenix, we amended Chapter 12, heavily. Ours is probably a little bit more restrictive than most of the country. I would say our sprinkler density, that we'll talk about here in a little bit, is more restrictive. We wanna require our AHJs to be more restrictive, so be careful. Always look at the code amendments from that local jurisdiction.

The Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA) is the leading authority and advocate of special hazard fire protection. As the industry’s premier annual event for education and networking, the FSSA Annual Forum attracts a select group of top decision-makers in the industry.

Brenton Harris, 2023-2024 FSSA President

FSSA Members:

Early Bird registration deadline is one week away! 

Take advantage of our lowest registration rate and register before the deadline on Tuesday, December 6. Join us for FSSA's next Annual Forum on February 23-27, 2023 at the Royal Sonesta in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In addition to the educational sessions where you’ll be able to earn PDHs, the committee has some fun sprinkled in, including optional historic tours, beach Olympics, and a live auction. Connect with hundreds of leading professionals in the industry at the FSSA Annual Forum by registering today.

Take advantage of the opportunity to sponsor educational sessions, receptions, giveaways and more to support the FSSA at the 2023 Annual Forum. 

Each of the opportunities will include:

• Company logo and signage during the Annual Forum 
• Acknowledgment by FSSA Leadership and emcee 
• Sponsorship acknowledgment in the on-site program and on the FSSA website.

In order to secure an opportunity:

The FSSA Annual Forum will be held February 23 - 27, 2023 at the Royal Sonesta San Juan in Puerto Rico. Join top special hazard industry professionals for this premier event that offers educational sessions, a partner expo, networking opportunities, and updates on FSSA initiatives including the unveiling of the strategic plan for 2023-2025.

With breathtaking scenery, a tropical climate, and inviting culture, Puerto Rico offers the perfect setting for the FSSA 2023 Annual Forum.  Register today and save $100!  Click here to view information on registration.

FSSA is proud to announce the FSSA Annual Forum will return, in-person, to celebrate its 40^th Anniversary. Plans to celebrate this milestone will include an excellent selection of educational sessions, dynamic speakers and the opportunity to connect with some of the best minds in the industry. Not to mention a few surprises sprinkled in!

Included in the lineup of events will be the Partner Expo as well as the increasingly popular presentation, Showcasing Your Most Challenging Applications. We welcome those who have served our industry for the last 40+ years, newcomers and all those in between to join us in celebrating.