This seminar will cover recent incidents and research into battery fires and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Issues for consideration in the design of these within buildings and infrastructure will also be discussed and include the following key topics:

Lithium-ion battery-based energy storage systems (ESS) are in increasing demand. However, they are also under scrutiny after a number of recent fires and explosions creating new fire protection challenges for the industry. FM Global will provide an overview of recent large-scale free burn and sprinkler protected fire tests FM Global conducted on ESS and the methods that can be utilised to make ESS deployments safer.

Discussion on the world leading research and Standards development UL is undertaking including recommendations that have been developed post incidents like that in Surprise Arizona.

FRNSW will discuss some of the issues that need to be considered and addressed with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), including fire brigade intervention and associated aspects of the design.

Current detection and suppression technologies will also be presented.

Speakers

Michael Stuckings 

Operations Chief Engineer. FM Global

In his current role as Operation’s Chief Engineer, Michael is responsible for the technical quality of the loss prevention engineering services provided to client locations throughout Australia and New Zealand. This includes development of pragmatic risk mitigation measures and implementation of corporate initiatives focused on loss prevention engineering. Michael is also involved in a number of external organisations including the Insurance Council of Australia, Fire Protection Association of Australia and Standards Australia. Michael is the current Chairman of Australian Standards committee FP-004: Automatic Fire Sprinkler Installations.

Since joining FM Global in 2001 Michael has also worked as a consultant engineer and as Group Manager. Michael’s prior experience includes 10 years working as an electrical engineer in both the coal mining and water/wastewater industries where he gained skills in design engineering, project management, maintenance and operations. He earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Newcastle and a Masters of Commerce (Finance) from the University of NSW.

Douglas White 

Business Development Manager, Fire Suppression. Johnson Controls

Doug White has worked in the fire protection industry for over 25 years. His role is to discuss fire protection problems with Fire Consultants and Fire Engineers and recommend potential suppression solutions, including fire sprinklers, gaseous suppression or foam that may meet the fire protection requirements. Doug is a Mechanical Engineer and a member of the Institute of Engineers, Australia.

Nathan Everett 

Senior Firefighter – Fire Safety Officer. Fire and Rescue NSW

Nathan is an operational firefighter who has been with FRNSW since 2014, and currently works as a Fire Safety Officer within the Fire Safety Branch’s Infrastructure Liaison Unit. Prior to joining FRNSW, Nathan worked for a number of years as a project and structural design engineer with a large consultancy, specialising in the heavy industry and infrastructure spaces. Nathan has a keen interest in fire and life safety risk management within hazardous industries, and is currently undertaking his Master of Fire Safety Engineering. 

Chris Brown 

Station Officer – Fire Safety Assessor. Fire and Rescue NSW

Chris has been a firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW for the past 22 years. He currently holds the rank of Station Officer and works in the Fire Safety Advisory Unit as a Fire Safety Assessor.

During his career he has work in numerous fire stations throughout the greater Sydney area with the majority of his operational time spent as a rescue operator at both Crows Nest and Narrabeen Fire Stations.

He has spent a total of 10 years working in FRNSW’s Building Fire Safety Unit.

Sean DeCrane 

Manager of Industry Relations. Underwriters Laboratories

Sean DeCrane retired as a 25+ year veteran of the Cleveland Division of Fire where he served various roles including the Director of Training and Chief of Operations retiring as a Battalion Chief.

Sean is currently Manager of Industry Relations for the Underwriters Laboratories Building Life Safety, Security and Technologies Division. He is responsible for engaging with various industry organizations with a focus on the international fire service including Asia, Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom. 

Sean has been involved in the research at Underwriters Laboratories and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He served on the UL Fire Council and is a member of the UL Fire Fighter Safety Research Institute’s Advisory Board.

Chief DeCrane also represented the International Association of Fire Fighters in the International Code Council process and has served on the 2009, 2012, 2105 and 2018 Fire Code Developing Committee and as Chair for 2015 and 2018. Sean served on the NFPA 1 Technical Advisory Panel, NFPA Research Foundation on Tall Wood Buildings and is serving as the Chair of the Fire Test Work Group for the ICC Tall Wood Building Ad Hoc Committee.