The UL 9540B standard sets a critical safety benchmark for energy storage systems. It focuses on preventing thermal runaway, a dangerous chain reaction that can lead to fires or explosions. You’ll find this standard especially vital for residential energy storage systems, where fire safety is a top priority. By addressing hazards mitigation analysis and incorporating advanced safety features, it ensures stationary energy storage systems meet strict safety requirements.
UL 9540B sets safety rules for energy storage systems. It focuses on stopping overheating and fire dangers.
The standard makes testing easier with two checks: cell testing and fire spread testing.
Following UL 9540B improves product safety and helps in the market. It gives makers a clear way to get certified.
Careful testing under UL 9540B keeps homes safe and builds trust in energy storage products.
Following UL 9540B meets fire safety rules and lowers risks for makers and others involved.
The UL 9540B standard was created to address the growing safety concerns surrounding energy storage systems, particularly those used in residential settings. You’ll find its primary focus on mitigating fire propagation risks caused by thermal runaway events. This standard ensures that energy storage systems undergo rigorous testing to evaluate their ability to contain and control thermal impacts. By doing so, it helps protect not only the system itself but also the surrounding environment and property.
The development of UL 9540B reflects the evolving needs of the energy storage industry. For instance, the 2018 editions of the International Fire Code and NFPA 1 Fire Code introduced specific requirements for modern energy storage systems, especially those using lithium-ion batteries. UL 9540B aligns with these regulatory updates, offering a comprehensive framework for large-scale fire testing. This makes it a vital tool for code authorities and manufacturers aiming to meet the latest safety standards.
UL 9540B sets clear benchmarks to ensure the safety and reliability of energy storage systems. One of its key features is the large-scale fire testing protocol, which evaluates how well a system can prevent fire propagation during a thermal runaway event. This testing provides critical insights into the system’s design and its ability to comply with installation instructions or local fire codes.
Another important aspect of UL 9540B is its focus on thermal impact assessment. The standard examines how heat generated during a failure event affects nearby structures and materials. This ensures that systems meet strict safety criteria, reducing the risk of catastrophic damage. Additionally, UL 9540B addresses gaps in previous testing methods, such as those under UL 9540A, by offering enhanced protocols that meet the requirements of updated codes like the 2022 California Fire Code.
9540B only focuses on residential ESS, while 9540A focuses on a wider range, such as residential storage, commercial storage, industrial energy storage, etc.;
9540B has only two levels of testing (cell level and unit level), while 9540A has four levels (cell level, module level, unit level and installation level);
9540B focuses on evaluating the spread of fire and the impact on the surrounding environment after the ignition of combustible gases generated by ESS thermal runaway, while 9540A mainly focuses on the ESS's ability to suppress the spread of thermal runaway and the quantitative analysis of the heat, smoke, gas, etc. generated;
9540B and 9540A can be applied to household storage ESS at the same time, because they evaluate the potential risks of different aspects of ESS.
Here’s a quick comparison:
Aspect | UL 9540A | UL 9540B |
|---|---|---|
Number of Tests | Three (cell, module, unit) | |
Purposeful Ignition | Not included | Included during thermal runaway |
Output Reports | Three test reports | One test report |
The UL 9540B standard introduces several unique features tailored to residential energy storage systems. It emphasizes large-scale fire testing, particularly for lithium-ion batteries, to ensure these systems can manage fire hazards effectively. This focus on fire propagation control makes UL 9540B a critical tool for enhancing safety in residential settings.
Another key feature is its enhanced acceptance criteria. UL 9540B evaluates more robust ignition scenarios, reflecting the growing adoption of energy storage systems.
Cell level：
It is clear that the thermal runaway valve opening temperature measurement point cannot be covered by the heating film.
The cell exhaust explosion test only needs to measure LFL without measuring Pmax and combustion rate.
If the proportion of hydrogen in the thermal runaway gas of the cell exceeds 67%, the combustion characteristics of hydrogen can be used instead of the thermal runaway gas.
If there is a cell-level UL 9540A, there is no need to repeat the UL 9540B cell-level test (9540A cell test can cover 9540B cell test).
Unit level：
An effective fire propagation test must meet the following two conditions:
Thermal runaway propagates within or between BESS modules;
Fire conditions should be established where the combustible gas discharged from the ESS is ignited. The number of triggered cells must be sufficient to achieve the propagation effect (no less than 2 cells should be triggered at the same time, and no more than 30% of the number of cells in the BESS, rounded up to the integer).
The BESS unit is charged and discharged for 2 cycles before the test, and the test is carried out within 72 hours after the charging is completed.
The entire test requires additional ignition operations at a possible exhaust position 12.7mm away from the BESS shell, and more than one ignition device may be configured.
The ignition device starts working before the first cell thermal runaway.
It is clarified that when testing wall-mounted units, thermocouples need to be arranged on the back of the unit, and the wall temperature limit is changed from a temperature rise of 97℃ to an absolute temperature not exceeding 150℃.
Smoke release and heat flux are not required to be measured.
The chemical heat release rate and convection heat release rate are changed to optional tests.
Requirement to remove gauze cover.
The UL 9540B standard plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of residential energy storage systems. It evaluates fire propagation characteristics, focusing on how battery energy storage systems handle thermal runaway events. This testing helps you understand how these systems perform under extreme conditions, ensuring they meet stringent fire safety requirements.
The development of UL 9540B was driven by the need for large-scale fire testing. It complements existing standards like UL 9540A by addressing robust ignition scenarios and enhanced acceptance criteria. For residential applications, this standard provides a reliable framework to assess fire propagation risks and thermal impacts.
Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
Purpose | Evaluates fire propagation characteristics of residential energy storage systems (ESS). |
Development | Created in response to safety concerns and the need for large-scale fire testing. |
Complement | Works alongside existing standards to enhance safety evaluations. |
By implementing UL 9540B, you can ensure your battery energy storage systems meet UL certification requirements, offering peace of mind to homeowners and code authorities alike.
The UL 9540B standard ensures energy storage systems can control thermal runaway and prevent fire propagation. It focuses on safety testing for residential systems, helping you meet fire code requirements and protect property.
UL 9540B simplifies testing by focusing on cell-level and fire propagation evaluations. It also includes purposeful ignition testing, which UL 9540A lacks. This makes UL 9540B more practical for residential applications.
UL 9540B evaluates fire risks and thermal impacts, ensuring your system meets strict safety standards. This protects homeowners, reduces liability, and builds trust in energy storage solutions.
Certification enhances product safety, marketability, and compliance with updated fire codes. It also gives your products a competitive edge by demonstrating reliability and adherence to rigorous safety benchmarks.
UL 9540B primarily focuses on lithium-ion battery systems used in residential settings. However, its principles can guide safety evaluations for other energy storage technologies as well.
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