UL 9540A large-scale fire test results

Fire Detection and Suppression

© NEC Energy Solutions 20182

On-board Fire Protection System Overview

Fire suppression agent container

Strobe and horn (internal)

Battery Racks

Fire strobe location (external)

Fire suppression system control

panel

Fire strobe location

(external)Fire suppression agent container

Smoke detector

Smoke detector

Fire strobe location (external)

The GBS® is the DC energy storage component of the NEC Energy Solutions GSS®. Each GBS® is equipped with dedicated fire detection and suppression system.

• The system uses optical smoke sensors to detect presence of a fire.• The system has a centrally located internal strobe light/horn to provide indication of smoke and fire detection for personnel inside

the container, and external strobe light(s) to notify personnel outside the container.• The system uses a gaseous, clean firefighting agent to suppress fire supplemented by internal water spray system for first responders to operate• The system also has optional security cameras to provide remote video of conditions inside the container.

Water spray nozzles (not shown)

© NEC Energy Solutions 20183

Automatic release of fire suppression agent A single detection of smoke or fire in the GBS will cause Signal sent to fire suppression system

Strobe light operation, horn sound at 60BPM

High voltage contactors will open (switch to “Off” mode)

A second detection will cause Same as previous, but horn now sounds at 120BPM, plus

Time delay countdown (20 sec) begins and is displayed on the control panel

Upon expiration of time delay, horn sounds steadily, and the fire suppression agent will be discharged, flooding the GBS container

Manual release of fire suppression agent Horn and strobe operate continuously

Time delay countdown (only 10 sec for manual release) begins and is displayed

Upon expiration of time delay system will respond in the same manner as above

Abort switch can be operated at any time Manual release switch can be operated at any time and will override the Abort

Optional autodial notification to local fire and other authorities is available.

As first responders arrive, water spray system supplied with water to fully extinguish fire

How it Works

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Fire Suppression Agent

Novec 1230 clean agent Fluoroketone; non-ozone depleting; breaks down rapidly in the atmosphere

Colorless, odorless, non-toxic, electrically non-conductive vapor

Stored as a liquid

When discharged, the fluid quickly evaporates into a gaseous state.

Agent suppresses fire by removing heat from the fire

Agent suppresses flame rapidly, helps prevent re-ignition, leaves no residue and requires no cleanup after discharge.

Novec 1230 is a widely accepted clean fire suppression agent due to its benign, non-ozone depleting characteristics.

Typical fire suppression clean agent container

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cup

Cup Burner Method used to determine level of fire suppression agent required In accordance with NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing

Systems (2012 edition), Appendix B

Pure battery electrolyte used as fuel Most flammable component of battery; permanently sealed inside the cells

Heated to the point of combustion and fire

Agent is introduced at various concentrations Test determined concentration of agent in air required to

extinguish flame

This concentration is used in the design of the fire suppression system to determine how much clean agent is required

Fire Suppression Agent Determination Test

Cup Burner Method; test apparatus set up

© NEC Energy Solutions 20186

UL9540A Installation Level Large-Scale Fire Test

BEFORE AFTER

© NEC Energy Solutions 20187

GBS® battery container is designed with a dedicated fire detection and suppression system in case all other safety measures fail Uses multiple smoke detectors to identify presence of a fire

Indicates visual/audible smoke and fire detection both internal and external to GBS container

Fans and high voltage contactors automatically respond to fire detection to reduce hazard level

Clean agent + water effectively prevents propagation and extinguishes flames

Clean agent can be used to suppress incipient fires inside container, and followed up with water spray system, full extinguishing with no re-ignition was seen in third-party laboratory testing Clean agent concentrations are determined specifically to combat fires involving lithium-ion battery cells

Successfully tested at UL fire test laboratory in accordance with UL 9540A

Summary