When does an energy storage system (ESS) require compliance with the CFC?

Grounded in the retrieved California Fire Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• CFC § 12-9 High relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 12-9

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  ENERGY SYSTEMS

  1206.8 Outdoor installation. Stationary fuel cell power systems located outdoors shall be separated by not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the following:

  1. Lot lines.

  2. Public ways.

  3. Buildings.

  4. Stored combustible materials.

  5. Hazardous materials.

  6. High-piled stock.

  7. Any portion of a designated means of egress system.

  8. Other exposure hazards.

  1206.9 Fuel supply. The design, location and installation of the fuel supply for stationary fuel cell power systems shall comply with Chapter 53, Chapter 58 and the International Fuel Gas Code, based on the particular fuel being supplied to the system.

  1206.10 Manual shutoff. Access to a manual shutoff valve shall be provided for the fuel piping within 6 feet (1829 mm) of any fuel storage tank serving the fuel cell and within 6 feet (1829 mm) of the power system. If the fuel tank and the stationary fuel cell power system are less than 12 feet (3658 mm) apart, a single shutoff valve shall be permitted. If the stationary fuel cell power system is located indoors, the shutoff valve shall be located outside of the room in which the system is installed, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.

  1206.11 Ventilation and exhaust. Ventilation and exhaust for stationary fuel cell power systems shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 853.

  1206.12 Fire protection. Fire protection systems for stationary fuel cell power system installations shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 853.

  1206.13 Group R-3 and R-4 fuel cell vehicle energy storage system use. The temporary use of the dwelling unit owner or occupant’s fuel cell-powered electric vehicle to power a Group R-3 or R-4 dwelling while parked in an attached or detached garage or outside shall comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions and the California Electrical Code .

  SECTION 1207—ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (ESS)

  1207.1 General. The provisions in this section are applicable to stationary and mobile electrical energy storage systems (ESS).

  Exception: ESS in Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies shall only be required to comply with Section 1207.11 except where Section 1207.11.4 requires compliance with Sections 1207.1 through 1207.9.

  1207.1.1 Utilities and industrial applications. This section shall not apply to capacitors and capacitor equipment for electric utilities and industrial facilities used in applications such as flexible AC transmission (FACTS) devices, filter capacitor banks, power factor correction, and standalone capacitor banks for voltage correction and stabilization. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.1.2 Mobile ESS. Mobile ESS deployed at an electric utility substation or generation facility for 90 days or less shall not add to the threshold values in Table 1207.1.3 for the stationary ESS installation if both of the following conditions apply:

  1. The mobile ESS complies with Section 1207.10.
  2. The mobile ESS is being used only during periods in which the facility’s stationary ESS is being tested, repaired, retrofitted or replaced. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)
• CFC § 1207.3.8 Medium relevance — show source text

  (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.3.8 Replacements. Replacements of ESS shall be considered new ESS installations and shall comply with the provisions of Section 1207 as applicable to new ESS. The ESS being replaced shall be decommissioned in accordance with Section 1207.2.3. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.3.9 Reused and repurposed equipment. Equipment and materials shall only be reused or reinstalled as permitted in Section 104.9.1. Storage batteries previously used in other applications, such as electric vehicle propulsion, shall not be reused in applications regulated by Chapter 12 unless approved by the fire code official and unless the equipment is refurbished by a battery refurbishing company approved in accordance with UL 1974. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.4 General installations requirements. Stationary and mobile ESS shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1207.4.1 through 1207.4.12.

  1207.4.1 Electrical disconnects. Where the ESS disconnecting means is not within sight of the main electrical service disconnecting means, placards or directories shall be installed at the location of the main electrical service disconnecting means indicating the location of stationary storage battery system disconnecting means in accordance with the California Electrical Code .

  Exception: Electrical disconnects for lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems at facilities under the exclusive control of communications utilities and operating at less than 50 VAC and 60 VDC shall be permitted to have electrical disconnects signage in accordance with NFPA 76.

  1207.4.2 Working clearances. Access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment in accordance with the California Electrical Code and the manufacturer’s instructions.

  1207.4.3 Fire-resistance-rated separations. Rooms and other indoor areas containing ESS shall be separated from other areas of the building in accordance with Section 1207.7.4. ESS shall be permitted to be in the same room with the equipment they support.

  1207.4.4 Seismic and structural design. Stationary ESS shall comply with the seismic design requirements in Chapter 16 of the California Building Code, and shall not exceed the floor loading limitation of the building.

  1207.4.5 Vehicle impact protection. Where ESS are subject to impact by a motor vehicle, including forklifts, vehicle impact protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 312.

  1207.4.6 Combustible storage. Combustible materials shall not be stored in ESS rooms, areas or walk-in units. Combustible materials in occupied work centers covered by Section 1207.4.10 shall be stored at least 3 feet (914 mm) from ESS cabinets.

  1207.4.7 Toxic and highly toxic gases. ESS that have the potential to release toxic and highly toxic gas during charging, discharging and normal use conditions shall be provided with a hazardous exhaust system in accordance with Chapter 5 of the California Mechanical Code .

• CFC § 1207.1.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  TABLE 1207.1.3—ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (ESS) THRESHOLD QUANTITIES	Col2
  TECHNOLOGY	ENERGY CAPACITYa
  Capacitor ESS	3 kWh
  Flow batteriesb	20 kWh
  Lead-acid batteries, all types	70 kWhc
  Lithium-ion batteries	20 kWh
  Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) and nickel zinc (Ni-Zn) batteries	70 kWh
  Nonelectrochemical ESSd	70 kWh
  Other battery technologies	10 kWh
  Other electrochemical ESS technologies	3 kWh
  Sodium nickel chloride batteries	70 kWh
  Zinc manganese dioxide batteries (Zn-MnO2)	70 kWh
  For SI: 1 kilowatt hour = 3.6 megajoules. a. Energy capacity is the total energy capable of being stored (nameplate rating), not the usable energy rating. For units rated in amp-hours, kWh shall equal rated voltage times amp-hour rating divided by 1,000. b. Shall include vanadium, zinc-bromine, polysulfide-bromide and other flowing electrolyte-type technologies. c. Fifty gallons of lead-acid battery electrolyte shall be considered equivalent to 70 kWh. d. Covers nonelectrochemical technologies such as flywheel and thermal ESS.	For SI: 1 kilowatt hour = 3.6 megajoules. a. Energy capacity is the total energy capable of being stored (nameplate rating), not the usable energy rating. For units rated in amp-hours, kWh shall equal rated voltage times amp-hour rating divided by 1,000. b. Shall include vanadium, zinc-bromine, polysulfide-bromide and other flowing electrolyte-type technologies. c. Fifty gallons of lead-acid battery electrolyte shall be considered equivalent to 70 kWh. d. Covers nonelectrochemical technologies such as flywheel and thermal ESS.

  12-10 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  ENERGY SYSTEMS

  1207.1.4 Permits. Permits shall be obtained for ESS as follows:

  1. Construction permits shall be obtained for stationary ESS installations and for mobile ESS charging and storage installations covered by Section 1207.10.1. Permits shall be obtained in accordance with Section 105.6.6.
  2. Operational permits shall be obtained for stationary ESS installations and for mobile ESS deployment operations covered by Section 1207.10.3. Permits shall be obtained in accordance with Section 105.5.14.

  1207.1.4.1 Communication utilities. Operational permits shall not be required for lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems at facilities under the exclusive control of communications utilities that comply with NFPA 76 and operate at less than 50 voltage alternating current (VAC) and 60 voltage direct current (VDC).

  1207.1.5 Construction documents. The following information shall be provided with the permit application:

  1. Location and layout diagram of the room or area in which the ESS is to be installed.
  2. Details on the hourly fire-resistance ratings of assemblies enclosing the ESS.
  3. The quantities and types of ESS to be installed.
  4. Manufacturer’s specifications, ratings and listings of each ESS.
• CFC § 1207.2.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  4. Desired or field-determined control set points that are permanently recorded on control drawings at control devices or, for digital control systems, in system programming instructions.
  5. A schedule for inspecting and recalibrating all ESS controls.
  6. A service record log form that lists the schedule for all required servicing and maintenance actions and space for logging such actions that are completed over time and retained on-site.

  The ESS shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the manual and a copy of the manual shall be retained at an approved on-site location.

  1207.2.2.1 Ongoing inspection and testing. Systems that monitor and protect the ESS installation shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the operation and maintenance manual. Inspection and testing records shall be maintained in the operation and maintenance manual.

  1207.2.3 Decommissioning. The code official shall be notified prior to the decommissioning of an ESS. Decommissioning shall be performed in accordance with the decommissioning plan that includes the following:

  1. A narrative description of the activities to be accomplished for removing the ESS from service, and from the facility in which it is located.

  2. A listing of any contingencies for removing an intact operational ESS from service, and for removing an ESS from service that has been damaged by a fire or other event. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.3 Equipment. ESS equipment shall be in accordance with Sections 1207.3.1 through 1207.3.9.

  1207.3.1 Energy storage system listings. ESS shall be listed in accordance with UL 9540.

  Exceptions:

  1. Lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems less than 50 VAC, 60 VDC in telecommunications facilities for installations of communications equipment under the exclusive control of communications utilities located outdoors or in building spaces used exclusively for such installations that are in compliance with NFPA 76.
  2. Lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems that are used for DC power for control of substations and control or safe shutdown of generating stations under the exclusive control of the electric utility, and located outdoors or in building spaces used exclusively for such installations.
  3. Lead-acid battery systems in uninterruptable power supplies listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1778 and utilized for standby power applications.

  (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.3.2 Equipment listing. Chargers, inverters and energy storage management systems shall be covered as part of the UL 9540 listing or shall be listed separately.

  1207.3.3 Utility interactive systems. Inverters shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1741. Only inverters listed and labeled for utility interactive system use and identified as interactive shall be allowed to operate in parallel with the electric utility power system to supply power to common loads.

  1207.3.4 Energy storage management system. Where required by the ESS listing, an approved energy storage management system that monitors and balances cell voltages, currents and temperatures within the manufacturer’s specifications shall be provided. The system shall disconnect electrical connections to the ESS or otherwise place it in a safe condition if potentially hazardous temperatures or other conditions such as short circuits, over voltage or under voltage are detected. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.3.5 Enclosures. Enclosures of ESS shall be of noncombustible construction. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

• CFC § 1207.9.6 Medium relevance — show source text

  1207.9.6 Open parking garages. ESS and associated equipment that are located in open parking garages shall comply with all of the following:

  1. ESS shall not be located within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of air inlets for building HVAC systems.

  Exception: This distance shall be permitted to be reduced to 25 feet (7620 mm) if the automatic fire alarm system monitoring the radiant-energy sensing detectors de-energizes the ventilation system connected to the air intakes upon detection of fire.

  2. ESS shall not be located within 25 feet (7620 mm) of exits leading from the attached building where located on a covered level of the parking structure not directly open to the sky above.
  3. An approved fence with a locked gate or other approved barrier shall be provided to keep the general public at least 5 feet (1524 mm) from the outer enclosure of the ESS. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.10 Mobile ESS equipment and operations. Mobile ESS equipment and operations shall comply with Sections 1207.10.1 through 1207.10.7.7. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  TABLE 1207.10—MOBILE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (ESS)	Col2	Col3
  COMPLIANCE REQUIRED	COMPLIANCE REQUIRED	DEPLOYMENTa
  Feature	Section	Section
  All ESS installations	1207.4	Yesb
  Fire suppression systems	1207.5.5	Yesc
  Maximum allowable quantities	1207.5.2	Yes
  Maximum enclosure size	1207.5.6	Yes
  Means of egress separation	1207.5.8	Yes
  Size and separation	1207.5.1	Yesd
  Smoke and automatic fire detection	1207.5.4	Yese
  Technology-specific protection	1207.6	Yes
  Vegetation control	1207.5.7	Yes
  a. See Section 1207.10.2. b. Mobile operations on wheeled vehicles and trailers shall not be required to comply with Section 1207.4.4 seismic and structural load requirements. c. Fire suppression system connections to the water supply shall be permitted to use approved temporary connections. d. In walk-in units, spacing is not required between ESS units and the walls of the enclosure. e. Alarm signals are not required to be transmitted to an approved location for mobile ESS deployed 30 days or less.	a. See Section 1207.10.2. b. Mobile operations on wheeled vehicles and trailers shall not be required to comply with Section 1207.4.4 seismic and structural load requirements. c. Fire suppression system connections to the water supply shall be permitted to use approved temporary connections. d. In walk-in units, spacing is not required between ESS units and the walls of the enclosure. e. Alarm signals are not required to be transmitted to an approved location for mobile ESS deployed 30 days or less.	a. See Section 1207.10.2. b. Mobile operations on wheeled vehicles and trailers shall not be required to comply with Section 1207.4.4 seismic and structural load requirements. c. Fire suppression system connections to the water supply shall be permitted to use approved temporary connections. d.

• CFC § 4.1. Medium relevance — show source text

  The building shall only be used for ESS, electrical energy generation and other electrical grid-related operations. 2. Occupants in the rooms and areas containing ESS are limited to personnel that operate, maintain, service, test and repair the ESS and other energy systems. 3. No other occupancy types shall be permitted in the building. 4. Administrative and support personnel shall be permitted in areas within the buildings that do not contain ESS, provided that: 4.1. The areas do not occupy more than 10 percent of the building area of the story in which they are located. 4.2. A means of egress is provided from the incidental use areas to the public way that does not require occupants to traverse through areas containing ESS or other energy system equipment. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.7.2 Nondedicated-use buildings. For the purpose of Table 1207.7, nondedicated-use buildings include all buildings that contain ESS and do not comply with Section 1207.7.1 dedicated-use building requirements. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.7.3 Dwelling units and sleeping units. ESS shall not be installed in sleeping units or in habitable spaces of dwelling units. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.7.4 Fire-resistance-rated separations. Rooms and areas containing ESS shall include fire-resistance-rated separations as follows:

  1. In dedicated-use buildings, rooms and areas containing ESS shall be separated from areas in which administrative and support personnel are located.
  2. In nondedicated-use buildings, rooms and areas containing ESS shall be separated from other areas in the building.

  Separation shall be provided by 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code and 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, as appropriate. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.8 Outdoor installations. Outdoor installations shall be in accordance with Sections 1207.8.1 through 1207.8.3. Exterior wall installations for individual ESS units not exceeding 20 kWh shall be in accordance with Section 1207.8.4. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 12-19

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  ENERGY SYSTEMS

• CFC § 1207.4.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  1207.4.2 Working clearances. Access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment in accordance with the California Electrical Code and the manufacturer’s instructions.

  1207.4.3 Fire-resistance-rated separations. Rooms and other indoor areas containing ESS shall be separated from other areas of the building in accordance with Section 1207.7.4. ESS shall be permitted to be in the same room with the equipment they support.

  1207.4.4 Seismic and structural design. Stationary ESS shall comply with the seismic design requirements in Chapter 16 of the California Building Code, and shall not exceed the floor loading limitation of the building.

  1207.4.5 Vehicle impact protection. Where ESS are subject to impact by a motor vehicle, including forklifts, vehicle impact protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 312.

  1207.4.6 Combustible storage. Combustible materials shall not be stored in ESS rooms, areas or walk-in units. Combustible materials in occupied work centers covered by Section 1207.4.10 shall be stored at least 3 feet (914 mm) from ESS cabinets.

  1207.4.7 Toxic and highly toxic gases. ESS that have the potential to release toxic and highly toxic gas during charging, discharging and normal use conditions shall be provided with a hazardous exhaust system in accordance with Chapter 5 of the California Mechanical Code .

  1207.4.8 Signage. Approved signs shall be provided on or adjacent to all entry doors for ESS rooms or areas and on enclosures of ESS cabinets and walk-in units located outdoors, on rooftops or in open parking garages. Signs designed to meet both the requirements of this section and the California Electrical Code shall be permitted. The signage shall include the following or equivalent:

  1. “ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM,” “BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM,” “CAPACITOR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM” or the equivalent.

  2. The identification of the electrochemical ESS technology present.

  3. “ENERGIZED ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS.”

  4. Where water-reactive electrochemical ESS are present, the signage shall include “APPLY NO WATER.”

  5. Current contact information, including phone number, for personnel authorized to service the equipment and for fire mitigation personnel required by Section 1207.1.8.1.

  Exception: Existing electrochemical ESS shall be permitted to include the signage required at the time they were installed. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.4.9 Security of installations. Rooms, areas and walk-in units in which electrochemical ESS are located shall be secured against unauthorized entry and safeguarded in an approved manner. Security barriers, fences, landscaping and other enclosures

  12-14 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  ENERGY SYSTEMS

  shall not inhibit the required air flow to or exhaust from the electrochemical ESS and its components. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

• CFC § 1207.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  1207.2 Commissioning, decommissioning, operation and maintenance. Commissioning, decommissioning, operation and maintenance shall be conducted in accordance with this section.

  1207.2.1 Commissioning. Commissioning of newly installed ESS and existing ESS that have been retrofitted, replaced or previously decommissioned and are returning to service shall be conducted prior to the ESS being placed in service in accordance with a commissioning plan that has been approved prior to initiating commissioning. The commissioning plan shall include the following:

  1. A narrative description of the activities that will be accomplished during each phase of commissioning, including the personnel intended to accomplish each of the activities.
  2. A listing of the specific ESS and associated components, controls and safety-related devices to be tested, a description of the tests to be performed and the functions to be tested.
  3. Conditions under which all testing will be performed, which are representative of the conditions during normal operation of the system.
  4. Documentation of the owner’s project requirements and the basis of design necessary to understand the installation and operation of the ESS.
  5. Verification that required equipment and systems are installed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
  6. Integrated testing for all fire and safety systems.
  7. Testing for any required thermal management, ventilation or exhaust systems associated with the ESS installation.
  8. Preparation and delivery of operation and maintenance documentation.
  9. Training of facility operating and maintenance staff.
  10. Identification and documentation of the requirements for maintaining system performance to meet the original design intent during the operation phase.
  11. Identification and documentation of personnel who are qualified to service, maintain and decommission the ESS, and respond to incidents involving the ESS, including documentation that such service has been contracted for./p>
  12. A decommissioning plan for removing the ESS from service, and from the facility in which it is located. The plan shall include details on providing a safe, orderly shutdown of energy storage and safety systems with notification to the code officials prior to the actual decommissioning of the system. The decommissioning plan shall include contingencies for removing an intact operational ESS from service, and for removing an ESS from service that has been damaged by a fire or other event.

  Exceptions:

  1. Commissioning shall not be required for lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems at facilities under the exclusive control of communications utilities that comply with NFPA 76 and operate at less than 50 VAC and 60 VDC. A decommissioning plan shall be provided and maintained where required by the fire code official.
  2. Lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems less than 50 VAC, 60 VDC that are in telecommunications facilities for installations of communications equipment under the exclusive control of communications utilities, and are located outdoors or in building spaces or walk-in units used exclusively for such installations that are in compliance with NFPA 76, shall be permitted to have a commissioning plan in compliance with recognized industry practices in lieu of complying with Section 1207.2.1.
  3. Lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery systems that are used for DC power for control of substations and control or safe shutdown of generating stations under the exclusive control of the electric utilities, and are located in building spaces or walk-in units used exclusively for such installations, shall be permitted to have a commissioning plan in compliance with applicable governmental laws and regulations in lieu of developing a commissioning plan in accordance with Section 1207.2.1. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)
• CFC § 2-16 Medium relevance — show source text

  2-16 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  DEFINITIONS

  EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEM. A source of automatic electric power of a required capacity and duration to operate required life safety, fire alarm, detection and ventilation systems in the event of a failure of the primary power. Emergency power systems are required for electrical loads where interruption of the primary power could result in loss of human life or serious injuries.

  EMERGENCY RESPONDER COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM (ERCES). An infrastructure solution installed within a building to enhance the communications capabilities for first responders that utilizes solutions such as a signal booster, voting receiver, base station or other technology capable of enhancing the radio frequency (RF) to ensure effective public safety communications.

  EMERGENCY SHUTOFF VALVE. A valve designed to shut off the flow of gases or liquids.

  EMERGENCY SHUTOFF VALVE, AUTOMATIC. A fail-safe automatic-closing valve designed to shut off the flow of gases or liquids initiated by a control system that is activated by automatic means.

  EMERGENCY SHUTOFF VALVE, MANUAL. A manually operated valve designed to shut off the flow of gases or liquids.

  EMERGENCY VOICE/ALARM COMMUNICATIONS. Dedicated manual or automatic facilities for originating and distributing voice instructions, as well as alert and evacuation signals pertaining to a fire emergency, to the occupants of a building.

  [BE] EMPLOYEE WORK AREA. All or any portion of a space used only by employees and only for work. Corridors, toilet rooms, kitchenettes and break rooms are not employee work areas.

  ENERGY STORAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. An electronic system that protects energy storage systems from operating outside their safe operating parameters and disconnects electrical power to the ESS or places it in a safe condition if potentially hazardous temperatures or other conditions are detected.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (ESS). One or more devices, assembled together, capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a future time.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, ELECTROCHEMICAL. An energy storage system that stores energy and produces electricity using chemical reactions. It includes, among others, battery ESS and capacitor ESS.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, MOBILE. An energy storage system capable of being moved and utilized for temporary energy storage applications, and not installed as fixed or stationary electrical equipment. The system can include integral wheels for transportation or be loaded on a trailer and unloaded for charging, storage and deployment.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, STATIONARY. An energy storage system installed as fixed or stationary electrical equipment in a permanent location.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, WALK-IN UNIT. A prefabricated building that contains energy storage systems. It includes doors that provide walk-in access for personnel to maintain, test and service the equipment, and is typically used in outdoor and mobile ESS applications.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM CABINET. An enclosure containing an energy storage system and meeting the applicable requirements of the listing for the system. Personnel are not able to enter the enclosure other than reaching in to access components for mainte nance purposes.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM COMMISSIONING. A systematic process that provides documented confirmation that an energy storage system functions according to the intended design criteria and complies with applicable code requirements.

• CFC § 9.2.3.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  Delete language to section 9.2.3.3 and reserve section number. 9.2.3.3 Reserved.

  Revise Section 9.3.19.1 as follows:*

  9.3.19.1* Unless the requirements of 9.2.3.1 or 9.2.3.2 are met, sprinklers shall be installed under exterior roofs, canopies, porte-cochere, balconies, decks or similar projections exceeding 4 ft (1.2 m) in width.

  Revise Annex Section A9.3.19.2 as follows:

  A9.3.19.2 The presence of planters, newspaper machines and similar items, should not be considered storage.

  Add Section 9.3.19.3 as follows:

  9.3.19.3 Sprinklers may be omitted for following structures:

  (1) Solar photovoltaic panel structures with no use underneath. Signs may be provided, as determined by the enforcing agency prohibiting any use underneath including storage. (2) Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels supported by framing that have sufficient uniformly distributed and unobstructed openings throughout the top of the array (horizontal plane) to allow heat and gases to escape, as determined by the enforcing agency.

  Add new Sections 16.9.3.1.3.4 and 16.9.3.1.3.5 as follows:

  16.9.3.1.3.4 Where a system includes floor control valves, a hydraulic design information sign containing information for the floor shall be provided at each floor control valve. A hydraulic design information sign shall be provided for each area calculated. The installing contractor shall identify a hydraulically designed sprinkler system with a permanently marked weatherproof metal or rigid plastic sign secured with corrosion resistant wire, chain or other approved means. Such signs shall be placed at the alarm valve, dry pipe valve, preaction valve or deluge valve supplying the corresponding hydraulically designed area.

  16.9.3.1.3.5 Control valves, check valves, drain valves, antifreeze valves shall be readily accessible for inspection, testing and maintenance. Valves located more than 7 feet above the finished floor shall be provided with a means of opening and closing the valve from the floor level.

  Add new Sections 16.9.10.5, 16.9.10.5.1, 16.9.10.5.1.1, 16.9.10.5.1.2, 16.9.10.5.1.3, 16.9.10.5.1.4, 16.9.10.5.2 as follows:

  16.9.10.5 Sectional Valves.

  16.9.10.5.1 Private fire service main systems shall have sectional control valves at appropriate points in order to permit sectionalizing the system in the event of a break or for the making of repairs or extensions.

  16.9.10.5.1.1 Sectional control valves are not required when the fire service main system serves less than six fire appurtenances.

  16.9.10.5.1.2 Sectional control valves shall be indicating valves in accordance with Section 16.9.3.2.

• CFC § 1206.13 Medium relevance — show source text

  1206.13 Group R-3 and R-4 fuel cell vehicle energy storage system use. The temporary use of the dwelling unit owner or occupant’s fuel cell-powered electric vehicle to power a Group R-3 or R-4 dwelling while parked in an attached or detached garage or outside shall comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions and the California Electrical Code .

  SECTION 1207—ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (ESS)

  1207.1 General. The provisions in this section are applicable to stationary and mobile electrical energy storage systems (ESS).

  Exception: ESS in Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies shall only be required to comply with Section 1207.11 except where Section 1207.11.4 requires compliance with Sections 1207.1 through 1207.9.

  1207.1.1 Utilities and industrial applications. This section shall not apply to capacitors and capacitor equipment for electric utilities and industrial facilities used in applications such as flexible AC transmission (FACTS) devices, filter capacitor banks, power factor correction, and standalone capacitor banks for voltage correction and stabilization. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.1.2 Mobile ESS. Mobile ESS deployed at an electric utility substation or generation facility for 90 days or less shall not add to the threshold values in Table 1207.1.3 for the stationary ESS installation if both of the following conditions apply:

  1. The mobile ESS complies with Section 1207.10.
  2. The mobile ESS is being used only during periods in which the facility’s stationary ESS is being tested, repaired, retrofitted or replaced. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  1207.1.3 Scope. ESS having capacities exceeding the values shown in Table 1207.1.3 shall comply with this section. (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.)

  TABLE 1207.1.3—ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (ESS) THRESHOLD QUANTITIES	Col2
  TECHNOLOGY	ENERGY CAPACITYa
  Capacitor ESS	3 kWh
  Flow batteriesb	20 kWh
  Lead-acid batteries, all types	70 kWhc
  Lithium-ion batteries	20 kWh
  Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) and nickel zinc (Ni-Zn) batteries	70 kWh
  Nonelectrochemical ESSd	70 kWh
  Other battery technologies	10 kWh
  Other electrochemical ESS technologies	3 kWh
  Sodium nickel chloride batteries	70 kWh
  Zinc manganese dioxide batteries (Zn-MnO2)	70 kWh
  For SI: 1 kilowatt hour = 3.6 megajoules. a. Energy capacity is the total energy capable of being stored (nameplate rating), not the usable energy rating. For units rated in amp-hours, kWh shall equal rated voltage times amp-hour rating divided by 1,000. b. Shall include vanadium, zinc-bromine, polysulfide-bromide and other flowing electrolyte-type technologies. c. Fifty gallons of lead-acid battery electrolyte shall be considered equivalent to 70 kWh. d. Covers nonelectrochemical technologies such as flywheel and thermal ESS.	For SI: 1 kilowatt hour = 3.6 megajoules. a. Energy capacity is the total energy capable of being stored (nameplate rating), not the usable energy rating.

• CFC § 505.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  ENERGY STORAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. An electronic system that protects energy storage systems from operating outside their safe operating parameters and disconnects electrical power to the ESS or places it in a safe condition if potentially hazardous temperatures or other conditions are detected.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (ESS). One or more devices, assembled together, capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a future time.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, ELECTROCHEMICAL. An energy storage system that stores energy and produces electricity using chemical reactions. It includes, among others, battery ESS and capacitor ESS.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, MOBILE. An energy storage system capable of being moved and utilized for temporary energy storage applications, and not installed as fixed or stationary electrical equipment. The system can include integral wheels for transportation or be loaded on a trailer and unloaded for charging, storage and deployment.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, STATIONARY. An energy storage system installed as fixed or stationary electrical equipment in a permanent location.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, WALK-IN UNIT. A prefabricated building that contains energy storage systems. It includes doors that provide walk-in access for personnel to maintain, test and service the equipment, and is typically used in outdoor and mobile ESS applications.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM CABINET. An enclosure containing an energy storage system and meeting the applicable requirements of the listing for the system. Personnel are not able to enter the enclosure other than reaching in to access components for mainte nance purposes.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM COMMISSIONING. A systematic process that provides documented confirmation that an energy storage system functions according to the intended design criteria and complies with applicable code requirements.

  ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM DECOMMISSIONING. A systematic process that provides documentation and procedures that allow an energy storage system to be safely de-energized, disassembled, readied for shipment or storage, and removed from the premises in accordance with applicable code requirements.

  [BG] EQUIPMENT PLATFORM. An unoccupied, elevated platform used exclusively for mechanical systems or industrial process equipment, including the associated elevated walkways, stairways, alternating tread devices and ladders necessary to access the platform (see Section 505.3 of the California Building Code ).

  EXCESS FLOW CONTROL. A fail-safe system or other approved means designed to shut off flow caused by a rupture in pressurized piping systems.

  EXCESS FLOW VALVE. A valve inserted into a compressed gas cylinder, portable tank or stationary tank that is designed to positively shut off the flow of gas in the event that its predetermined flow is exceeded.

  EXHAUSTED ENCLOSURE. An appliance or piece of equipment which consists of a top, a back and two sides providing a means of local exhaust for capturing gases, fumes, vapors and mists. Such enclosures include laboratory hoods, exhaust fume hoods and similar appliances and equipment used to retain and exhaust locally the gases, fumes, vapors and mists that could be released. Rooms or areas provided with general ventilation, in themselves, are not exhausted enclosures.

  EXISTING. Buildings, facilities or conditions that are already in existence, constructed or officially authorized prior to the adoption of this code.

  [BE] EXIT. That portion of a means of egress system between the exit access and the exit discharge or public way. Exit components include exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge, interior exit stairways and ramps, exit passageways, exterior exit stairways and ramps and horizontal exits.