Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 13 is the United States standard for the design and installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems, published by the National Fire Protection Association. It is the primary reference for sprinkler system design in battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities and buildings housing battery rooms. Sprinkler protection of BESS installations is mandated by NFPA 855, which references NFPA 13 for the specific sprinkler design criteria.
Published by: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Current edition: NFPA 13 (2022 edition)
Referenced by: NFPA 855 (energy storage systems), IFC (International Fire Code)
Scope
NFPA 13 applies to the design, installation, and acceptance of automatic sprinkler systems, including wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge systems. For BESS applications, the standard is used to size sprinkler systems that must control or suppress lithium-ion battery fires. NFPA 855 specifies that BESS installations require sprinkler protection designed to NFPA 13, with specific density/area design criteria for lithium battery storage occupancies.
Key Provisions for BESS Applications
Sprinkler Design Density
Lithium-ion battery installations require enhanced sprinkler design densities compared to ordinary hazard occupancies. NFPA 855 references specific NFPA 13 design densities for battery storage — typically 0.30–0.48 gpm/ft² over defined design areas — depending on battery chemistry, rack configuration, and installation type.
System Selection for BESS
Pre-action sprinkler systems are commonly selected for indoor BESS installations to avoid water damage from accidental activation. Deluge systems may be required in high-hazard BESS configurations. The choice of system type depends on the BESS manufacturer’s fire test data and the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Disclaimer: This is not a definitive guide, just an indication and it is important that you always go back to the source for legislation.
References
- NFPA 13 (2022), NFPA