Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are being deployed across UK industry to support renewables, peak shaving and resilience. They also introduce a distinct fire, toxic smoke and run-off pollution risk profile compared with conventional electrical plant. This information page summarises the NFCC position on BESS in a practical, site-focused question-and-solution format, with clear actions for safety, spill control, environmental compliance and emergency planning.
Question: What is the NFCC BESS position statement and why does it matter?
Solution: The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) position statement on Battery Energy Storage Systems sets out fire and rescue service concerns and recommended expectations for safer design, location, information sharing and incident planning. For dutyholders, it matters because it influences what insurers, planners, local authorities and emergency responders may expect to see on site: clear layouts, access, isolation methods, fire strategy, and controls to reduce off-site impacts such as contaminated firewater and toxic run-off.
Practical takeaway: treat BESS as a high-consequence asset that needs both fire risk management and pollution prevention planning from day one, not as a standard electrical cabinet installation.
Citations: NFCC
Question: What hazards does the NFCC highlight for BESS sites?
Solution: The NFCC focus is on realistic incident outcomes and responder safety. For many lithium-ion BESS designs, hazards commonly include:
- Thermal runaway and rapid heat release, potentially escalating across modules, racks or containers.
- Toxic and corrosive gases and dense smoke, which can travel off site and restrict access.
- Re-ignition risk after initial suppression and the need for extended monitoring.
- Firefighting water run-off that can become contaminated and require containment, testing and controlled disposal.
- High voltage and isolation complexity, affecting responder tactics and site safety systems.
For industrial operators, this translates into two parallel control themes: prevent escalation and prevent pollution.
Citations: Environment Agency; NFCC
Question: How does the NFCC position affect my compliance responsibilities?
Solution: Even though the NFCC is not a regulator, its position statements influence what good practice looks like and what emergency services may request during planning and pre-incident engagement. You still need to meet your legal duties around:
- Fire safety management and safe systems of work for high-risk plant.
- Environmental protection, including preventing pollution of drains, surface water and groundwater from contaminated firewater or electrolyte release.
- Storage and bunding expectations where relevant to associated oils, coolants or chemicals on the same compound.
On many BESS projects, the compliance risk is not only the fire itself but the secondary incident of polluted run-off entering drainage or watercourses. A credible plan to control run-off can significantly reduce regulatory and clean-up exposure.
Citations: UK legislation (official); Environment Agency
Question: What should a practical BESS emergency plan include?
Solution: Build your plan around what responders need quickly and what the site must do immediately to protect people, property and the environment:
- Site information pack: system type, capacity, location plan, access routes, shut-down and isolation, emergency contacts, and hazardous product information.
- Clear labelling and signage: hazards, exclusion zones, and isolation points.
- Run-off containment plan: where water could flow, how you will block drains, and where you will hold contaminated firewater.
- Spill response resources: suitable spill kits, drain protection and containment equipment positioned for fast deployment.
- Training and drills: who deploys drain covers, who isolates drainage, who controls access and who liaises with the fire service.
If you already have spill response procedures for fuels and oils, adapt them for BESS by adding scenarios for contaminated firefighting water and prolonged incident durations.
Internal reading: EV and battery safety guidance
Question: How do I stop contaminated firewater entering drains during a BESS incident?
Solution: Plan for fast, simple physical controls that work under pressure. Most sites benefit from a layered approach:
- Pre-identified drain locations and a drain map for the BESS compound and nearby yards.
- Drain protection such as drain covers or mats stored near the risk area so they can be deployed in minutes.
- Containment and bunding where feasible to keep run-off within the compound, especially for containerised systems or yard-based installations.
- Temporary barriers to divert flows away from interceptors, surface water drains and kerb gullies.
- Spill control consumables to manage smaller leaks and to support clean-up after the event, recognising that firewater itself may require specialist disposal.
Example site scenario: a BESS container in a logistics yard sits up-gradient of a surface water gully. During an incident, responders use large volumes of water for cooling. Without a drain isolation step, contaminated run-off could reach a watercourse. With pre-positioned drain covers and a simple run-off route plan, the site can block the gully rapidly and keep run-off in a controlled area for tanker removal.
Question: Where should BESS be located to reduce fire and pollution risk?
Solution: Location decisions should reduce exposure and simplify emergency control. Practical considerations aligned with NFCC-style expectations include:
- Separation distances from occupied buildings, critical plant and boundaries where feasible.
- Responder access for appliances and water supply without blocking site operations.
- Drainage awareness: avoid placing BESS where run-off naturally channels into surface water drains.
- Space for containment: allow areas for temporary storage of firewater, deployable bunding, or controlled run-off capture.
If your site has mixed hazards (battery storage, fuels, oils, chemical stores), plan the compound as a system. A strong bunding and spill management layout can reduce combined incident consequences.
Question: What spill management equipment is relevant for BESS sites?
Solution: While BESS incidents are primarily a fire safety issue, spill management is essential for environmental control. Typical site provisions include:
- Spill kits for general maintenance leaks and secondary hazards in the compound.
- Drip trays for ancillary equipment servicing and temporary work areas.
- Bunding or containment for associated oils, fuels, transformers, generators or hydraulic systems that may sit near the BESS.
- Drain protection to prevent off-site pollution from firewater run-off.
The key is placement and accessibility: equipment locked in a distant store is rarely available when needed. Position spill control and drain protection close to the BESS and at likely run-off pathways.
Question: How should I work with the fire service on BESS planning?
Solution: Early engagement reduces uncertainty during an incident. Provide clear, site-specific information and invite pre-incident familiarisation where appropriate. Useful items include:
- As-built drawings, access routes, isolation points and signage locations.
- Details of detection, suppression, ventilation and monitoring systems (where installed).
- Your run-off and drain isolation plan and the location of drain protection equipment.
- Out-of-hours contacts and procedures for contractors.
This is also where the NFCC position statement is most relevant: it encourages consistent information sharing and operational readiness.
Citations: NFCC
Question: What should I check today if I already operate a BESS?
Solution: Use this quick checklist to identify gaps that often appear on operational sites:
- Do we have a current site plan showing BESS layout, access, drains and isolation points?
- Can we block nearby drains quickly, and is drain protection stored on-site and clearly labelled?
- Is there a defined containment area or method for contaminated run-off during firefighting?
- Are staff trained on spill response and escalation routes, including out-of-hours?
- Do contractors follow controlled procedures for maintenance, lifting, and housekeeping around the BESS?
If any answer is no, treat it as an action. Small improvements in spill control, bunding, drain protection and site information can materially reduce the impact and cost of an incident.
Related guidance
Note: This page provides operational guidance and spill management context for BESS sites. For the original NFCC wording and updates, refer to NFCC publications and your project fire engineer or competent advisor.