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Security of BESS containers

Fire detection for BESS containers


Early detection of battery incidents

Classical fire detection alone is often insufficient for energy storage installations. Therefore, Firesafe Solutions combines various detection technologies to identify battery issues as early as possible.

Our solutions include, among others:

  • Addressable fire detection
  • Thermal detection
  • Gas detection
  • Multisensor detection
  • Thermal camera monitoring

This allows deviations to be detected before an effective fire occurs.

Detection of battery gases

During thermal runaway, specific gases are released before smoke or fire becomes visible.

Gas detection can, among other things, warn of:

  • Hydrogen
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Electrolyte-related vapours

This provides extra reaction time to prevent further escalation.

Thermal detection for BESS containers

A temperature rise is often one of the first signs of a defective battery cell or an impending thermal runaway.

That is why Firesafe Solutions integrates thermal detectors in BESS containers to quickly detect abnormal temperatures.

Benefits of thermal detection:

  • Early detection of overheating
  • Continuous temperature monitoring
  • High reliability
  • Suitable for battery storage
  • Integration with fire detection and extinguishing
  • Rapid alarm processing

By detecting temperature deviations early, intervention can occur more quickly, significantly reducing the chance of escalation.

Smoke detection for battery containers

Within a BESS container, smoke detection forms one of the most important layers of security. Smoke development is often an early indication of a defective battery module or a developing incident.

Firesafe Solutions applies high-quality addressable smoke detection that is specifically suitable for technical installations and battery storage.

Benefits of smoke detection in BESS containers:

  • Early detection of smoke development
  • Continuous monitoring of the entire container
  • High reliability
  • Integration with aerosol extinguishing
  • Connection with control rooms and remote monitoring
  • Support for automatic safety procedures

By combining smoke detection with thermal detection, a highly reliable security solution for energy storage systems is created.

Aerosol extinguishing for BESS containers


Rapid automatic extinguishing of battery compartments

Aerosol extinguishing forms an important safety layer within battery containers.

Firesafe Solutions works with AF-X Fireblocker aerosol extinguishing, a technology specifically suitable for critical technical installations.

Advantages:

  • Very rapid activation
  • Compact installation
  • No water connection required
  • No large extinguishing gas installation
  • Suitable for electrical installations
  • Low maintenance costs
  • High reliability
  • Safe for humans

How does aerosol extinguishing work?

When fire detection confirms an incident:

  1. The fire detection control panel activates the extinguishing logic.
  2. The aerosol generators are activated.
  3. Aerosol particles spread throughout the compartment.
  4. The chemical combustion reaction is interrupted.
  5. The fire is suppressed or extinguished.

This limits the spread to other battery modules.

AF-X Fireblocker for energy storage

Firesafe Solutions is the official distributor of AF-X Fireblocker in Belgium.

AF-X is applied worldwide for:

  • BESS containers
  • Battery storage
  • High voltage cabins
  • Server rooms
  • Electrical installations
  • Technical infrastructure

The technology provides reliable protection of critical energy infrastructure.

Integration with remote monitoring

BESS installations are often unmanned and located in remote areas.

Therefore, Firesafe Solutions can automatically forward notifications to:

  • Operators
  • Asset managers
  • Managers
  • Control rooms
  • Maintenance teams

This allows for a quick response in the event of an incident.

Integration with other security systems

For maximum safety, all systems can work together within one integrated platform.

Firesafe Solutions integrates:

  • Fire detection
  • Aerosol extinguishing
  • Thermal detection
  • Gas detection
  • Camera surveillance
  • Thermal cameras
  • Access control
  • Intrusion detection
  • Control room follow-up

This creates a complete security solution for energy storage installations.

Maintenance of BESS security systems

Fire protection of battery containers must be permanently operational.

Firesafe Solutions offers maintenance contracts for:

  • Fire detection
  • Aerosol extinguishing
  • Thermal cameras
  • Gas detection
  • Remote monitoring

Our services include:

  • Preventive maintenance
  • Functional testing
  • Reporting
  • Software updates
  • Technical support
  • Rapid interventions

Why do companies choose Firesafe Solutions?

  • More than 35 years of experience in fire safety
  • Specialist in BESS security
  • Expertise in thermal runaway detection
  • Specialist in battery safety
  • Official distributor of AF-X Fireblocker
  • Integration of fire detection, gas detection and aerosol extinguishing
  • Own installation and service teams
  • Maintenance and support throughout Belgium

Whether it concerns a battery container, energy storage park, solar park, charging area or industrial energy storage installation, Firesafe Solutions realises integrated security solutions that optimally protect people, installations and investments.

Firesafe Solutions – We Build Your Security.

Frequently asked questions about security in BESS containers

BESS stands for Battery Energy Storage System. These are energy storage systems that store electricity in batteries to make it available again later. BESS installations are used, among other things, in companies, solar parks, wind farms, charging areas and industrial energy projects.

Lithium-ion batteries contain large amounts of stored energy. In the event of a defect, damage or internal fault, a battery can overheat, which can lead to smoke development, fire or a thermal runaway.

Therefore, specialised fire protection is essential for every BESS installation.

Thermal runaway is a chain reaction in which a battery cell heats up uncontrollably and generates more and more heat.

This can lead to:

  • Release of flammable gases
  • Rapid temperature increases
  • Fire development
  • Spread to other battery modules
  • Explosion hazard

Rapid detection is crucial to limit the impact.

The exact requirements depend on the project, the insurer, local regulations, and the battery technology used. In practice, fire detection is almost always provided to mitigate risks and meet the requirements of operators and insurers.

Firesafe Solutions combines various detection technologies for maximum reliability:

  • Addressable smoke detection
  • Thermal detection
  • Gas detection
  • Control room connections

This allows incidents to be identified at a very early stage.

Smoke development is often one of the first visible signs of a defective battery module.

Smoke detection provides:

  • Early detection
  • Rapid alarm
  • Integration with extinguishing systems
  • Continuous monitoring of the container
  • Support for automatic safety procedures

A temperature increase is often an early indication of a defective battery cell.

Thermal detection helps to:

  • Quickly detect overheating
  • Identify thermal runaway at an early stage
  • To limit risks
  • To activate automatic safety procedures

Aerosol extinguishing is an automatic extinguishing technology that releases a special aerosol agent to quickly suppress or extinguish a fire.

This technology is particularly suitable for:

  • Electrical installations
  • Battery containers
  • Technical rooms
  • Energy storage installations

Aerosol extinguishing offers several advantages:

  • Very fast activation
  • No water connection required
  • No water damage
  • Compact system
  • Suitable for electrical installations
  • Low maintenance costs
  • High reliability

This makes aerosol extinguishing particularly suitable for battery storage.

AF-X Fireblocker is an advanced aerosol extinguishing system that is used worldwide for the protection of critical technical installations.

Firesafe Solutions is the official distributor of AF-X Fireblocker in Belgium.

Yes. When fire detection confirms an incident, the aerosol extinguishing system can be automatically activated according to a predetermined extinguishing logic.

This minimises the response time.

No extinguishing system can completely reverse a thermal runaway. However, aerosol extinguishing can help to:

  • Limit fire spread
  • Prevent secondary fires
  • Protect adjacent battery modules
  • To limit damage

As a result, aerosol extinguishing forms an important safety layer within a BESS installation. 

Yes. Firesafe Solutions integrates fire detection, thermal detection, gas detection and aerosol extinguishing within one central security system.

This ensures that all safety layers work together optimally.

Yes. Alarm notifications can be automatically forwarded to:

  • Operators
  • Asset managers
  • Maintenance teams
  • Security services
  • Control rooms

This allows for a quick response in the event of an incident.

Depending on the project, various standards and guidelines may apply. Firesafe Solutions assists clients in designing solutions that meet the requirements of manufacturers, insurers, and project developers.

Yes. We provide maintenance for:

  • Fire detection
  • Aerosol extinguishing
  • Gas detection
  • Thermal detection
  • Notification systems

Regular maintenance is essential to ensure reliable operation.

Our solutions are applied in:

  • Battery containers
  • Energy storage parks
  • BESS installations
  • Solar parks
  • Wind farms
  • Fast charging stations
  • Industrial energy storage
  • Grid stabilization projects

Firesafe Solutions combines more than 35 years of experience with in-depth expertise in:

  • BESS security
  • Fire detection
  • Thermal runaway detection
  • Smoke detection
  • Thermal detection
  • Gas detection
  • Aerosol extinguishing
  • AF-X Fireblocker
  • Lithium-ion battery safety

We provide design, installation, programming, commissioning, maintenance and service for BESS projects throughout Belgium.

Questions? We are happy to help!

Get in touch with one of our experts.