[RE-wrenches] Lithium Batteries Fire Safety

Mon Feb 23 09:59:27 PST 2026

Login,

Might you share with us the link to the UL9540A test method for the MidNite
PwrFlo 16? New York is a tough state indeed.

Christopher

On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 12:54 PM William Bryce via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Hi Jay
>
> I somewhat agree, and you must carefully look at what battery is being
> installed, and what certification it holds.
>
> If the LFP battery is Tested  with UL9540A then certified to UL9540 after
> PASSING the UL9540A testing, (and the battery really has that rating). I
> would not be too concerned with fire. If you read the test reports  and
> understand how this testing is performed, you will then see how safe LFP is.
>
> Sure, there are plenty of LFP batteries being sold and installed that do
> not have the UL9540A test certification. *With those batteries I WOULD be
> concerned.*
>
> Do not fall for the Hype, understand the Certifications and the Testing
> you will then feel confident in the certified LFP batteries.
>
> *Ask the manufacturer for a copy of the 9540A test report and read it,
> after that you will understand how the certification works.* Many MFG's
> will not provide the actual Test report, and that is unfortunate because if
> you read one you will then feel much better about LFP if it is certified.
>
> Example: Under the UL9540A test method, the battery is put into a full
> thermal runaway, the battery must contain ALL fire. The battery is draped
> with cheesecloth and if any of the cloth gets burned through, the battery
> fails the test. This is just one example of the many tests the LFP battery
> must go through to get the certification.
>
> Logan
>
> On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 11:17 AM jay via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> I’m going to disagree about LFP not being capable of burning or
>> exploding.
>>
>> And no I don’t agree with Prose.
>>
>> Here is but one of a lot you can find online.
>> I have seen and talked to a number of fellow installers who have had
>> different LFP batteries fail, some have been contained within the steel
>> container, others not.
>>
>> How is this possible?  One avenue is  the BMS fails then it’s possible
>> for a single cell to get above the 3.65v which can cause it to fail and
>> then you have the below.  Other is of course a faulty manufacturing
>> process.
>>
>> In regards to the IRC, I would include just like with LA that ventilation
>> is important to try and prevent enough concentration of gas to reach the
>> explosive threshold.
>>
>> jay
>>
>>
>>
>> [image: maxresdefault.jpg]
>>
>> Electric Boat Explodes While Charging: LFP Batteries
>> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWBt6nv8U58>
>> youtube.com <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWBt6nv8U58>
>> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWBt6nv8U58>
>>
>>
>> On Feb 23, 2026, at 7:40 AM, Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Jim,
>>
>> Take a look at the requirements in the 2024 IRC for energy storage
>> systems.
>>
>> https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2024V2.0/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2024V2.0_Pt03_Ch03_SecR330
>>
>> Specifically R330.4. To me, this is kind of insanity when dealing with
>> lithium iron phosphate batteries. I am dealing with it on a project right
>> now, where we are installing batteries in an unfinished basement. We are
>> going to have to build out a drywalled enclosure around the batteries, fire
>> tape the seams, fire caulk the holes where the cables come out, and then
>> also build a custom drywall door that will self-close and self latch. All
>> of this for something that is (according to this youtube video -
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60LEo0Rwpp8) less flammable than a piece
>> of wood. I understand that loose connections can heat up and pose a fire
>> risk, but it is less likely to burn than a loose connection in an outlet in
>> the wall. I wonder if there is even a single example of residential LFP
>> (not NMC) batteries installed properly and with a proper BMS going up in
>> flames? Safety efforts would be better directed at drywalling around every
>> single outlet in the house...
>>
>> NY now enforces this code, and it is really difficult when you come up
>> against an AHJ who enforces it to the letter of the code.
>> Does anyone have an idea how to get this code to realign with reality?
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Dave
>>
>> On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 9:18 AM Jim Gowdy via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Good Morning,
>>>      I have a customer where we are replacing their FLA battery bank
>>> with Lithium, specifically the Discover Helios ESS 16.1KW battery and they
>>> have concerns about fire suppression in case the battery catches on fire.
>>> I've never really thought about it other than installing them on non
>>> combustible material and letting the BMS handle any over temp, over
>>> charging, etc.  I've seen batteries grid tied and offgrid where the
>>> batteries are mounted in all sorts of places and I don't think anyone has
>>> fire suppression on their minds.  Has anyone had any experience needing to
>>> install some sort of fire suppression for their battery bank or have any
>>> thoughts on this matter?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jim with Gowdy Electric
>>> Cambria, Ca 93428
>>> business  805 927 2630
>>> cell  805 975 5279
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-- 

Chris Schaefer’s

*Tel 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870 *
*5115 S Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424**www.solarandwindfx.com
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