Energy Storage · BESS & Renewables
Engineered for lithium-ion.
Specialist fire detection, suppression and security for BESS and grid-scale battery facilities, matched to the risk profile of the technology.
Energy Storage · BESS & Renewables
Specialist fire detection, suppression and security for BESS and grid-scale battery facilities, matched to the risk profile of the technology.
The Landscape
Lithium-ion battery energy storage brings fire risks that conventional systems weren't designed for: thermal runaway, toxic off-gassing and cascading cell failure among them.
The UK's clean energy build-out is accelerating, and so is the regulatory conversation around it. Getting fire protection right at design stage avoids expensive retrofit, insurance headaches and, worst case, losing the asset.
The Risk Profile
BESS fire protection starts with understanding why lithium-ion fires behave differently, and designing accordingly.
Once a cell starts, heat cascades to neighbours. Early, sensitive detection and containment buy the only time that matters.
Flammable and toxic gases appear before flame. Dedicated off-gas detection catches failures before they escalate.
Conventional gaseous suppression often can't control lithium fires. Watermist and hybrid approaches change the equation.
Fires can re-ignite hours after "extinguishment". Monitoring and cooling strategy extends well beyond the incident itself.
Technology Partner
Watermist cools lithium cells and suppresses flame in a way gaseous suppression can't. As Fogtec's UK partner, Photuris delivers container-level and facility-level BESS watermist to UK sites, engineered to the specific thermal profile of the battery technology involved.
Integrated Solution
We integrate aspirating detection, off-gas sensors and Fogtec watermist into a single coordinated BESS fire system: clear escalation sequence, interlocked HVAC and BMS. Designed to PAS 63100, BS 5839-1 detection and BS EN 14972 watermist.
Very-early-warning ASD heads sample air from inside battery enclosures: 15× higher sensitivity than point detection, tuned to the particles released before flame.
Honeywell Li-ion Tamer electrolyte-vapour sensors catch cell failures before flame, detecting vented off-gases well ahead of a traditional smoke signature, and interlocking with HVAC to clear corrosive and flammable gases away from neighbouring cells.
Fogtec high-pressure watermist at container and facility level. 50–100 µm droplets absorb heat, scrub venting gases and cool neighbouring cells. One pump unit can serve up to 200 ESS units.
Thermal perimeter detection, AI object classification, ANPR gate control and audio deterrent, managed through Axis Camera Station Pro. Designed for remote, unmanned BESS sites.
See it in action
A real-world demonstration of Fogtec watermist suppression: the same technology we deploy across UK BESS sites.
Classification
Fogtec uses water mist of Class I according to NFPA 750—the smallest droplet-size distribution and the largest reaction surface per litre of water applied. Fogtec systems are of the high-pressure type, working at 50–200 bar. The high pressure provides at the nozzle sufficient energy to split water into the smallest droplets and to accelerate them on their way towards the fire and against rising heat and smoke.
Why High Pressure?
Higher pressure means more energy available to split the water and more momentum imparted to the resulting tiny droplets. Lower the pressure and the droplets are larger, or have less momentum—in most cases both apply.
Independent research has shown that low-pressure water mist systems are less efficient at reducing the heat-release rate of a fire and its emissions, including CO2, CO, NOX, CxHy and HCN.
Pump Systems
Fogtec pump systems generate operating pressures between 120 and 140 bar; lower pressures would yield larger droplets or insufficient momentum to reach the fire (law of energy conservation). Pump units are built from individual pump modules with flow rates from 25 to 1000 l/min, so the overall flow and power can be optimised to each project. Units run electrically or on diesel, include adequate water filtration, and control cabinets equipped with state-of-the-art PLC controls connect to the fire alarm system. Remote maintenance via modem is available as an option.
ESG Aspects
Due to its eco-friendliness, water-saving and protective properties, and the re-usability of major components, Fogtec water mist supports gains in user ESG ratings.
Solution Silver Partner
BESS sites are typically remote, unmanned and unstaffed overnight. As an Axis Silver Solution Partner, Photuris designs multi-layer site security using thermal perimeter detection, AI-driven classification and audio deterrence, all managed through Axis Camera Station Pro, so threats are identified and deterred before anyone reaches the containers.
Axis thermal cameras detect human heat signatures at the fence line 24/7, in total darkness or fog: the environments BESS sites actually sit in.
Edge analytics discriminate people from wildlife, vehicles and weather movement, drastically reducing nuisance alarms on rural sites.
On a confirmed detection, Axis network horn speakers play a site-specific, pre-recorded warning. Acting on the knowledge they've been seen, most would-be intruders leave before any response team arrives.
PTZ cameras feed Axis Camera Station Pro for live visual confirmation of any alarm, verified before a response team is dispatched.
Who We Work With
BESS developers, EPC contractors, O&M providers and investors: helping to manage fire risk across the asset lifecycle.
Our Approach
BESS projects reward early engagement: the design decisions made in the first weeks determine what's possible in the last.
01 Inception
We engage at the earliest stage to de-risk projects, influence design decisions and embed fire and security requirements from the ground up.
Book a site survey →02 Construction
Our teams deliver to programme, coordinating with other trades for quality installation and a smooth commissioning process.
Book a site survey →03 Lifecycle
Planned preventive maintenance, compliance testing, 24/7 monitoring and rapid response — keeping your systems performing for the facility's lifetime.
Book a site survey →Get Started
Design stage, retrofit or expansion: our team brings specialist expertise and Fogtec partnership to UK energy storage projects.
Book a site survey