As the demand for clean, renewable energy storage increases, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have become crucial to balancing the grid. 

This is increasingly apparent as the number of BESS installations globally surged by more than 50%[1] in 2024—and the BESS market is expected to grow by 21%[2] annually through 2030. At the same time, the demand for electricity itself continues to rise, increasing by an average of 3.4%[3] each year from 2023 to 2025, with the same expected for 2026. In this climate, BESS units will play an ever-increasing role in the world’s power infrastructure. 

However, this unfettered growth comes with its fair share of regulatory challenges. Navigating the complex web of safety codes, building standards, and environmental regulations is proving to be rocky terrain for companies looking to deploy these systems in populated areas.

With battery storage technologies playing an ever-larger role in global energy markets, understanding the intricacies of regulatory compliance and ensuring safety has never been more important. The stakes are high, and with a more pronounced rollout comes the need for adherence to clear, unambiguous, and articulate guidance that minimizes risk.

In this article, we will explore how to navigate this regulatory maze, helping organizations stay ahead of legal pressures and administrative imperatives. These are the regulations to bear in mind when using acute thermography to monitor and safeguard BESS units from catastrophic thermal runaway events.

BESS regulations: an overview

In the United States, regulations governing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are in a constant state of flux. Various codes and standards exist, which often vary by regional jurisdiction, but the most pertinent for BESS site managers and operators include:

• NFPA 855: Fire Protection for Energy Storage Systems, which outlines safety protocols for managing fire risks in battery storage
• UL 9540A: A standard for testing thermal runaway and fire propagation in BESS
• UL 9540: The overall safety standard for BESS, focusing on the system's design, installation, and operation
• NEC 705.12: Addresses the safety of electrical installations related to energy storage
• UL 521-certified heat detectors provide an added layer of compliance in BESS installations by triggering alarms when temperatures exceed safe thresholds, often faster and more reliably than smoke detection in ventilated environments
• NFPA 72 outlines the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, setting standards for the design, installation, and performance of fire detection systems, including those used to monitor BESS sites for early signs of thermal events

These regulations aim to mitigate the dangers associated with the volatile nature of high-energy systems. However, the pace of innovation frequently outstrips the ability of standards bodies to update guidance in real time, creating challenges for BESS manufacturers and operators. 

This is precisely why BESS managers should consider adopting cutting-edge thermal imaging devices to offer compliant, impactful insights. For example, the Flir A500f/A700f  series is designed for early fire detection and condition monitoring in high-risk BESS environments; there is also the Flir A70 with 95° Field of View Lens, which offers high thermal resolution (640 × 480) and a wide-angle lens for comprehensive monitoring of BESS installations.

Flir A500f/A700f (left) and Flir A70 (right)

Playing with fire: managing thermal runaway in BESS

Thermal runaway remains one of the most critical safety threats in battery storage, where escalating temperatures can spark fires that are hard to control. While today’s BESS technologies are better equipped, especially with pressure relief valves, automatic fire suppression, and advanced monitoring systems—fires can’t always be fully avoided.

Containment, not elimination, is the often the end goal when it comes to regulations related to BESS unit fires. Standards such as NFPA 855 require robust suppression and safety systems, while NFPA 72 governs the detection protocols that kick in when things go wrong. But despite all the engineering advances, real-time thermal monitoring is still your best early warning system.

Flir A70 monitoring electric vehicle batteries for poor connection and overheating.

While requirements vary by jurisdiction, your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can clarify which fire safety regulations apply—and how to stay on the right side of them.

What’s next for BESS compliance?

As the demand for clean, renewable energy storage grows, battery storage systems will become even more common. But with growth comes complexity. Regulations will only continue to evolve as new risks and technological advancements emerge.

For BESS providers, staying on top of regulatory changes is crucial, not just for compliance, but for ensuring safety and efficiency. It's clear that being proactive (i.e. anticipating regulations and embedding compliance systems from the outset) is far more cost-effective than playing catch-up after a failure.

For those in the BESS industry, the time to act is now. Regulatory landscapes may shift, but the industry can’t afford to delay. By embedding compliance into design and suppression systems from day one, BESS providers can stay ahead of the curve and out of danger.

 
[1] Energy Storage News, https://www.energy-storage.news/global-bess-deployments-soared-53-in-2024/
[2] Connected Energy, https://connected-energy.co.uk/industry-insights/key-themes-for-the-battery-energy-storage-industry-in-2025/ 
[3] IEA, https://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-2024/executive-summary