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In researching a question for electrical energy storage systems (batteries), for a data center, I found that Table 509 Incidental Uses of the VUSBC says, “Stationary storage battery systems having an energy capacity greater than the threshold quantity specified in Table 1206.2 of the International Fire Code.” And if you exceed those thresholds, Table 509 goes on to say under Separation and/or Protection, “1 hour in Group B, F, M, S and U occupancies; 2 hours in Group A, E, I and R occupancies.”
Looking at Table 1206.2 of the IFC, as amended by Virginia, it says, “TABLE 1206.2 BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM THRESHOLD QUANTITIES Deleted.” If you look at the IFC without the Virginia amendment, Table 1206.2 shows, “Lead acid 70kWh, Lithium 20kWh,” among the other battery types listed.
1206.2 Stationary storage battery systems says, “Stationary storage battery systems having capacities exceeding the values indicated in the applicable building code or technologies not listed therein shall be approved by the building official. Stationary storage battery systems shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.”
I found in Chapter 27, 2702.1.3 Installation. It says, “Emergency power systems and standby power systems required by this code or the International Fire Code shall be installed in accordance with the International Fire Code, NFPA 70, NFPA 110 and NFPA 111.” NFPA 110 is more for generators.
In looking at NFPA 111, it notes battery rooms, protection from flooding from firefighting, requires the rooms to be protected by pre action sprinklers, and make no mention of ratings or separations.
So, if Virginia deleted Table 1206.2 of the IFC, what did they intend to happen with VUSBC Table 509? Are they now saying no separations required? Is this some type of inadvertent omission?
JD, Can you let us know specifically where the VCC deletes this table? I do not see where VA has deleted this table from the VCC or IFC. The IFC provisions for Energy Storage Systems has not been modified at all and VCC section 307.1.1.9 points the user to the IFC for full compliance. Table 1206.2 has been deleted from the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (like all other construction or retrofit provisions) because the SFPC is a maintenance and operations code, not a construction code. The IFC is fully enforceable in VA by reference from the VCC, unless otherwise modified. If there is an existing energy storage system in place that needs to be inspected, the enforcement personnel would use the code in effect when the system was installed for compliance provisions.
Let us know if the process has overlooked something?
Sean P. Farrell
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<p class=”MsoNormal”>Sean, I thought I had noted this was the 2018 Codes this engineer was questioning. Looking back at my post I do not see that I mentioned that. My apologies. Looking at the 2015 VCC for battery or Energy Storage Systems requirements, the blurb in Table 509 of the 2015 VCC for batteries clearly says “Stationary storage battery systems having a liquid electrolyte capacity of more than 50 gallons for flooded lead-acid, nickel cadmium or VRLA, or more than 1,000 pounds for lithium-ion and lithium metal polymer used for facility standby power, emergency power or uninterruptable power supplies,” and exceeding that requires, “1 hour in Group B, F, M, S and U occupancies; 2 hours in Group A, E, I and R occupancies.”</p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”>Table 509 of the 2018 VCC now says, “Stationary storage battery systems having an energy capacity greater than the threshold quantity specified in Table 1206.2 of the International Fire Code.” Both the online and print version for Virginia say the same thing. I find no amendments that Virginia made to the 2018 VCC for Table 509.</p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”>The 2018 VCC in Section 307.1.1 Uses other than Group H. #9 says, “Stationary storage battery systems installed in accordance with the International Fire Code.”</p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”>Looking at Table 1206.2 of the 2018 VSFPC, it says, “Table 1206.2 Battery Storage System Threshold Quantities <b>Deleted</b>.”</p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”>The 2015 VSFPC has Section 608 Stationary Storage Battery Systems. That is now Section 1206 in the 2018 VSFPC. I also find, “Table 1206.2.9 Maximum Allowable Battery Quantities <b>Deleted.”</b></p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”>Thus, the engineer that I am working with questioning what the requirements are. I agree and understand that these requirements should be construction related, VCC, and not maintenance or operations related, fire code. The VCC appears to be referring everyone to the fire code where the state made major amendments and deletions to Section 1206. It appears to be missing some stuff; namely ratings and quantity thresholds, or they have it well hidden I am simply not finding it.</p>Not sure where all of that computer/HTML code came from. Hopefully this will post as a clean, readable version.
Sean, I thought I had noted this was the 2018 Codes this engineer was questioning. Looking back at my post I do not see that I mentioned that. My apologies. Looking at the 2015 VCC for battery or Energy Storage Systems requirements, the blurb in Table 509 of the 2015 VCC for batteries clearly says “Stationary storage battery systems having a liquid electrolyte capacity of more than 50 gallons for flooded lead-acid, nickel cadmium or VRLA, or more than 1,000 pounds for lithium-ion and lithium metal polymer used for facility standby power, emergency power or uninterruptable power supplies,” and exceeding that requires, “1 hour in Group B, F, M, S and U occupancies; 2 hours in Group A, E, I and R occupancies.”
Table 509 of the 2018 VCC now says, “Stationary storage battery systems having an energy capacity greater than the threshold quantity specified in Table 1206.2 of the International Fire Code.” Both the online and print version for Virginia say the same thing. I find no amendments that Virginia made to the 2018 VCC for Table 509.
The 2018 VCC in Section 307.1.1 Uses other than Group H. #9 says, “Stationary storage battery systems installed in accordance with the International Fire Code.”
Looking at Table 1206.2 of the 2018 VSFPC, it says, “Table 1206.2 Battery Storage System Threshold Quantities Deleted.”
The 2015 VSFPC has Section 608 Stationary Storage Battery Systems. That is now Section 1206 in the 2018 VSFPC. I also find, “Table 1206.2.9 Maximum Allowable Battery Quantities Deleted.”Thus, the engineer that I am working with questioning what the requirements are. I agree and understand that these requirements should be construction related, VCC, and not maintenance or operations related, fire code. The VCC appears to be referring everyone to the fire code where the state made major amendments and deletions to Section 1206. It appears to be missing some stuff; namely ratings and quantity thresholds, or they have it well hidden I am simply not finding it.
JD, please do not reference the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) for VCC applicability. Please go directly to the International Fire Code (IFC) as the VCC instructs. The SFPC is not the IFC. Long ago, VA extracted all of the operational and maintenance provisions contained in the IFC and created the SFPC; however, we didn’t remove the construction and retrofit provisions even though they were not applicable per chapter 1. Essentially, VA published the entire contents of the IFC as the SFPC, but then in chapter 1 limited applicability to only maintenance and operation provisions. This led to widespread confusion and use of the SFPC for purposes other than operations and maintenance. Therefore, VA recently removed all construction related text from the SFPC because Code Officials were continuing to use it to build and improve properties. The confusion you are having is the reason VA deleted the construction and retrofit provisions from the SFPC. VA does not construct or improve buildings and structures through the SFPC, that path is VCC and then the IFC. VA does not amend the IFC very much, we simply point to it for specific applicability.
Sean P. Farrell
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