Section 322

STORAGE OF LITHIUM-ION AND LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES

batteries shall comply with Section 322.

Exceptions:

1. New or refurbished batteries installed in the equip- ment, devices or vehicles they are designed to power. 2. New or refurbished batteries packed for use with the equipment, devices or vehicles they are designed to power. 3. Batteries in original retail packaging that are rated at 300 watt-hours or less for lithium-ion batteries or contain 25 grams or less of lithium metal for lithium metal batteries. 4. Temporary storage of batteries or battery compo- nents during the battery manufacturing process prior to completion of final quality control checks. 5. Temporary storage of batteries during the vehicle manufacturing or repair process.

of more than 15 cubic feet (0.42 m) of lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries, other than batteries listed in the exceptions to Section 322.1, as set forth in Section 105.5.53.

accordance with Section 403.10.6. In addition, the fire safety plan shall include emergency response actions to be taken upon detection of a fire or possible fire involving lithium-ion or lithium metal battery storage.

batteries shall be stored in accordance with Sections 322.4.1, 322.4.2 or 322.4.3, as applicable.

322.4.1 Limited indoor storage in containers. Not more than 15 cubic feet (0.42 m ³ ) of lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries shall be permitted to be stored in containers in accordance with all of the following:

1. Containers shall be open-top and constructed of noncombustible materials or shall be approved for battery collection. 2. Individual containers and groups of containers shall not exceed a capacity of 7.5 cubic feet (0.21 m ³ ). 3. A second container or group of containers shall be separated by not less than 3 feet (914 mm) of open space, or 10 feet (3048 mm) of space that contains combustible materials. 4. Containers shall be located not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from exits or exit access doors.

3-16 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

322.4.2 Indoor storage areas. Indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries, other than those complying with Section 322.4.1, shall comply with Sections 322.4.2.1 through 322.4.2.6.

322.4.2.1 Technical opinion and report. A technical opinion and report complying with Section 104.8.2 shall be prepared to evaluate the fire and explosion risks associated with the indoor storage area and to make recommendations for fire and explosion protec- tion. The report shall be submitted to the fire code official and shall require the fire code official’s approval prior to issuance of a permit. In addition to the requirements of Section 104.8.2, the technical opin- ion and report shall specifically evaluate the following:

1. The potential for deflagration of flammable gases released during a thermal runaway event. 2. The basis of design for an automatic sprinkler system or other approved fire suppression sys- tem. Such design basis shall reference relevant full-scale fire testing or another approved method of demonstrating sufficiency of the rec- ommended design.

322.4.2.2 Construction requirements. Where indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batter- ies are located in a building with other uses, battery storage areas shall be separated from the remainder of the building by 2-hour-rated fire barriers or horizontal assemblies. Fire barriers shall be constructed in accor- dance with Section 707 of the California Building Code, and horizontal assemblies shall be constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Build- ing Code.

Exceptions:

1. Where battery storage is contained in one or more approved prefabricated portable struc- tures providing a complete 2-hour fire-resis- tance-rated enclosure, fire barriers and horizontal assemblies are not required. 2. Where battery storage is limited to new batter- ies in packaging that has been demonstrated to and approved by the fire code official as sufficient to isolate a fire in packaging to the package interior, fire barriers and horizontal assemblies are not required.

322.4.2.3 Fire protection systems. Indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system comply- ing with Section 903.3.1.1 or an approved alternative fire suppression system. The system design shall be based on recommendations in the approved technical opinion and report required by Section 322.4.2.1.

322.4.2.4 Fire alarm systems. Indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries shall be provided with an approved automatic fire detection and alarm system complying with Section 907. The fire detection system shall use air-aspirating smoke detec- tion, radiant energy-sensing fire detection, or both.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

322.4.2.5 Explosion control. Where the approved tech- nical opinion and report required by Section 322.4.2.1 recommends explosion control, explosion control complying with Section 911 shall be provided.

322.4.2.6 Reduced requirements for storage of partially charged batteries. Indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries with a demon- strated state of charge not exceeding 30 percent shall not be required to comply with Sections 322.4.2.1, 322.4.2.2 or 322.4.2.5, provided that procedures for limiting and verifying that the state of charge will not exceed 30 percent have been approved.

322.4.3 Outdoor storage. Outdoor storage of lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries shall comply with Sections 322.4.3.1 through 322.4.3.3.

322.4.3.1 Distance from storage to exposures. Outdoor storage of lithium-ion or lithium metal batter- ies, including storage beneath weather protection in accordance with Section 414.6.1 of the California Building Code, shall comply with one of the following:

1. Battery storage shall be located not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) from any building, lot line, public street, public alley, public way or means of egress. 2. Battery storage shall be located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) from any building, lot line, public street, public alley, public way or means of egress where the battery storage is separated by a 2-hour fire-resistance-rated assembly without openings or penetrations and extending 5 feet (1524 mm) above and to the sides of the battery storage area. 3. Battery storage shall be located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) from any building, lot line, public street, public alley, public way or means of egress where batteries are contained in approved prefabricated portable structures providing a complete 2-hour fire-resistance-rated enclosure.

322.4.3.2 Storage area size limits and separation. Outdoor storage areas for lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries, including storage beneath weather-protec- tion in accordance with Section 414.6.1 of the California Building Code, shall not exceed 900 square feet (83.6 m ² ). The height of battery storage in such areas shall not exceed 10 feet (3048 mm). Multiple battery storage areas shall be separated from each other by not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) of open space.

322.4.3.3 Fire detection. Outdoor storage areas for lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries, regardless of whether such areas are open, under weather protection or in a prefabricated portable structure, shall be provided with an approved automatic fire detection and alarm system complying with Section 907. The fire detection system shall use radiant energy-sensing fire detection.

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS