Section R328

Energy storage systems (ESS) shall comply with the provisions of this section.

Exceptions:

1. ESS listed and labeled in accordance with UL 9540 and marked “For use in residential dwelling units” where installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the California Electrical Code.

2. ESS less than 1 kWh (3.6 megajoules).

Energy storage systems (ESS) shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 9540.

Exception: Where approved, repurposed unlisted battery systems from electric vehicles are allowed to be installed outdoors or in detached sheds located not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from exterior walls, property lines and public ways.

ESS shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and their listing.

R328.3.1 Spacing. Individual units shall be separated from each other by not less than 3 feet (914 mm) except where smaller separation distances are documented to be adequate based on large-scale fire testing complying with Section 1207.1.5 of the California Fire Code .

ESS shall be installed only in the following locations:

1. Detached garages and detached accessory structures.

2. Attached garages separated from the dwelling unit living space in accordance with Section R302.6.

3. Outdoors or on the exterior side of exterior walls located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) from doors and windows directly entering the dwelling unit.

4. Enclosed utility closets, basements, storage or utility spaces within dwelling units with finished or noncombustible walls and ceilings. Walls and ceilings of unfinished wood-framed construction shall be provided with not less than ⁵ /8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum wallboard.

ESS shall not be installed in sleeping rooms, or closets or spaces opening directly into sleeping rooms or in habitable spaces of dwelling units.

Individual ESS units shall have a maximum rating of 20 kWh. The aggregate rating of the ESS shall not exceed:

1. 40 kWh within utility closets, basements and storage or utility spaces.

2. 80 kWh in attached or detached garages and detached accessory structures.

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BUILDING PLANNING

3. 80 kWh on exterior walls.

4. 80 kWh outdoors on the ground.

ESS installations exceeding the permitted individual or aggregate ratings shall be installed in accordance with Section 1207 of the California Fire Code .

ESS shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code . Inverters shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1741 or provided as part of the UL 9540 listing. Systems connected to the utility grid shall use inverters listed for utility interaction.

Rooms and areas within dwelling units, basements and attached garages in which ESS are installed shall be protected by smoke alarms in accordance with Section R314. A heat detector, listed and interconnected to the smoke alarms, shall be installed in locations within dwelling units and attached garages where smoke alarms cannot be installed based on their listing.

[SFM] ESS installed in Group R-3 and townhomes shall comply with the following:

1. Rooms and areas within dwellings units, sleeping units, basements and attached garages in which ESS are installed shall be protected by smoke alarms in accor- dance with Section R314.

2. A listed heat alarm interconnected to the smoke alarms shall be installed in locations within dwelling units, sleeping units and attached garages where smoke alarms cannot be installed based on their listing.

ESS installed in a location subject to vehicle damage in accordance with Section R328.8.1 or R328.8.2 shall be provided with impact protec- tion in accordance with Section R328.8.3.

R328.8.1 Garages. Where an ESS is installed in the normal driving path of vehicle travel within a garage, impact protection complying with Section 1207.11.7.3 shall be provided. The normal driving path is a space between the garage vehicle opening and the interior face of the back wall to a height of 48 inches (1219 mm) above the finished floor. The width of the normal driving path shall be equal to the width of the garage door open- ing. Impact protection shall also be provided for ESS installed at either of the following locations (See Figure R328.8.1):

1. On the interior face of the back wall and located within 36 inches (914 mm) to the left or to the right of the normal driving path.

2. On the interior face of a side wall and located within 24 inches (609 mm) from the back wall and 36 inches (914 mm) of the normal driving path.

Exception: Where the clear height of the vehicle garage opening is 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm) or less, ESS installed not less than 36 inches (914 mm) above finished floor are not subject to vehicle impact protec- tion requirements.

R328.8.2 Other locations subject to vehicle impact. Where an ESS is installed in a location other than as defined in Section R328.8.1, and is subject to vehicle damage, impact protection shall be provided in accor- dance with Section R328.8.3.

R328.8.3 Impact protection options. Where ESS is required to be protected from impact in accordance with Section R328.8.1 or R328.8.2, such protection shall comply with one of the following:

1. Bollards constructed in accordance with one of the following:

1.1. Minimum 48 inches (1219 mm) in length by 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter Schedule 80 steel pipe embedded in a concrete pier not less than 12 inches (304 mm) deep and 6 inches (152 mm) in diameter, with at least 36 inches (914 mm) of pipe exposed, filled with concrete and spaced at a maximum interval of 5 feet (1524 mm). Each bollard shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) from an ESS. 1.2. Minimum 36 inches (914 mm) in height by 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter Schedule 80 steel pipe fully welded to a minimum 8-inch (203 mm) by ¹ /4-inch (6.4 mm) thick steel plate and bolted to a concrete floor by means of 4 ¹ /2 inch (13 mm) concrete anchors with 3-inch (76 mm) minimum embedment. Spacing shall be not greater than 60 inches (1524 mm), and each bollard shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) from the ESS. 1.3. Pre-manufactured steel pipe bollards shall be filled with concrete and anchored in accor- dance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, with spacing not greater than 60 inches (1524 mm), and each bollard shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) from the ESS.

nches (1524 mm), and each_ bollard shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) from the ESS. 1.3. Pre-manufactured steel pipe bollards shall be filled with concrete and anchored in accor- dance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, with spacing not greater than 60 inches (1524 mm), and each bollard shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) from the ESS.

2. Wheel barriers constructed in accordance with one of the following:

2.1. Four inches (102 mm) in height by 5 inches (127 mm) in width by 70 inches (1778 mm) in length wheel barrier made of concrete or polymer, anchored to the concrete floor not less than every 36 inches (914 mm) and located not less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the ESS. Mini- mum 3 ¹ /2-inch (89 mm) diameter concrete anchors with a 3-inch (76 mm) embedment per barrier shall be used. Spacing between barriers shall be no greater than 36 inches (914 mm). 2.2. Pre-manufactured wheel barriers shall be anchored in accordance with the manufac- turer’s installation instructions.

3. Approved method designed to resist a 2000-lb. (8899 Newtons) impact in the direction of travel at 24 inches (608 mm) above grade.

3-90 2022 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL 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.

BUILDING PLANNING

FIGURE R328.8.1 ESS VEHICLE IMPACT PROTECTION

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.

BUILDING PLANNING

Indoor installations of ESS that produce hydrogen or other flammable gases during charging shall be provided with mechanical ventilation in accordance with the California Mechanical Code .

The temporary use of an owner or occupant’s electric-powered vehicle to power a dwelling unit while parked in an attached or detached garage or outdoors shall comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions and the California Electrical Code.

The following information shall be provided:

1. A copy of the manufacturer’s installation, operation, maintenance and decommissioning instructions shall be provided to the owner or placed in a conspicuous location near the ESS equipment.

2. A label on the installed system containing the contact information for the qualified maintenance and service providers.

ESS that have the potential to release toxic or highly toxic gas during charging, discharging and normal use conditions shall not be installed within Group R-3 or R-4 occupancies.