Insights
Fire safety is one of the first questions many property owners ask when considering installing a battery system. Battery fires are rare, but challenging when they do occur. Here, we explain what the risk actually entails and how we work to minimize it.
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All electrical systems carry some level of fire risk—from a building’s electrical wiring to water heaters in the basement. Batteries are no exception, but the risk is low when the system is properly selected, installed, and operated.
Lithium-ion batteries used in stationary energy storage systems can, in rare cases, experience what is known as thermal runaway. This is an uncontrolled increase in temperature where battery cells may begin to catch fire. Fires in lithium-ion batteries are difficult to extinguish, and burning batteries release toxic gases that must be safely ventilated. If gases accumulate without proper ventilation, there is, in the worst case, a risk of explosion.
This is why fire safety in battery systems must be taken seriously—and why we dedicate significant time and resources to it.
Sunday Power works systematically with fire safety in battery systems.
Our approach focuses on two key questions: how to minimize the likelihood of a fire, and how to limit the consequences if one occurs. Both are equally important.
The most important measure is selecting safe and reliable suppliers.
We only choose battery systems from suppliers that are CE-marked and comply with harmonized safety standards—particularly IEC 62619, the European standard for fire safety in stationary battery systems. We also consider UL 9540A, the U.S. fire safety test standard, which provides deeper insight into how systems handle thermal runaway scenarios.
This ensures that independent third parties have verified that our suppliers meet international safety standards, reducing both the likelihood of failure and the potential consequences.
These standards also require advanced monitoring and control systems, including the Battery Management System (BMS). The BMS continuously monitors the battery and intervenes in case of temperature deviations or abnormal behavior—long before a situation becomes critical.
In addition, we apply monitoring through our own platform, SundayOS. This allows us to detect long-term trends—deviations that may not trigger immediate alarms but could indicate developing issues over time. This enables proactive intervention.
The most effective way to reduce consequences in the event of a fire is proper placement.
In the absence of fully harmonized installation standards, Sunday Power follows the Norwegian building regulation TEK17 §11-6, which recommends a minimum distance of 8 meters between battery systems and surrounding buildings.
If this distance is not feasible, we work closely with the property owner’s fire safety engineer (RIBr) to assess alternative placements. This may include installing the system closer to buildings if adjacent structures have sufficient fire resistance.
Supplier selection is also critical for limiting consequences. Our battery systems include built-in fire suppression at the module level. If a cell ignites, the system is designed to prevent fire propagation to neighboring modules.
If needed, an additional system-level suppression mechanism prevents fire spread across the entire battery system.
We also offer external water connection points, allowing fire services to quickly connect and flood the system if required.
Battery systems are not risk-free, but with the right approach, the risks are well manageable.
At Sunday Power, safety starts with supplier selection and continues through system design, installation, and site-specific fire safety assessments.
Do you have questions about fire safety for your building? Get in touch—we’re happy to help.
