Standards Development

Scope

This document shall specify test requirements for fire-protection storage cabinets for lithium-ion batteries. A good basis for this document could be the new industry standard VDMA 24994 that is published on 1 August 2024.

It tests the fire resistance of the cabinets in which a thermal runaway of batteries occurs and tests that the temperature outside of the cabinet does not rise above a certain level and that no projectiles or fragments go out of the cabinet during a thermal runaway. Classes I/O30, I/O60 and I/O90 additionally test the fire resistance of the cabinet from outside fires.

This document is applicable to detachable / portable lithium-ion batteries with a weight equal to or less than 25 kg. Active charging of the lithium-ion batteries may be possible inside the cabinet.

In order to take the worst case into account, the maximum possible energy of batteries on one shelf shall be tested. In order to ensure reproducibility of the test, this guideline assumes, that the thermal runaway occurs in a single battery box with the maximum possible energy per shelf.

This document is not applicable to not permanently installed storage devices, does not verify battery characteristics, and does not test active security/safety measures inside of the cabinet such as fire detection systems and fire extinguishing systems.

Purpose

Purpose of this proposal is to provide an internationally applicable test procedure that enables repeatable verification of the protective properties of storage units for detachable and rechargeable batteries.

Said protection shall mitigate the effects (heat, smoke, pressure and projection of fragments)in case of thermal runaway (TR) of said batteries.

Topics to address are (not limitative);

a. Definitions and scope

b. Simulation of TR

c. Parameters and related equipment to monitor these

d. Criteria for adequate protection

e. Minimum requirements for storage units

f. Details of test procedure

g. Test report