What it is
NFPA 855, a new standard for stationary energy storage systems, could significantly impact UPS battery deployments in data centers. Industry experts warn the standard affects all installations over 70kW, may be applied retroactively to existing facilities, and is already being implemented in major cities.
Why it matters
The standard introduces new design and testing protocols that could alter current UPS deployment practices for both lithium-ion and VRLA batteries. Facilities professionals must evaluate compliance for existing installations and adjust future designs to meet requirements already enforced by AHJs in Los Angeles, New York, and other jurisdictions. The retroactive application creates immediate code/AHJ friction for operational data centers.
Evidence from source:
- NFPA 855 impacts all battery installations providing more than 70 kilowatts of power, covering nearly all data centers
- Standard can be applied retroactively to existing battery installations
- Sections already being implemented in Los Angeles, New York and other cities
Links
- Canonical source: https://www.datacenterfrontier.com/energy/article/11429677/new-nfpa-battery-standard-could-impact-data-center-ups-designs
- Player: /players/other/
- Topic: /topics/code-standards/
- Topic: /topics/ups-resilience/
Open questions
- What specific design and testing protocol changes does NFPA 855 require for VRLA vs lithium-ion UPS systems?
- How are AHJs in LA and NYC currently interpreting and enforcing NFPA 855 for existing facilities?