Six former New York City fire safety officials and experts have issued a joint declaration affirming the safety of battery energy storage systems under New York state’s newly updated regulations, which they describe as “among the most stringent in the country.”
“We have closely reviewed battery energy storage systems, studied the codes, examined how these systems are built, monitored, and maintained,” noted a joint declaration issued on July 28 and signed by former FDNY Commissioner Thomas Von Essen and several other retired members of the department. “We are here to say clearly and confidently: Battery energy storage systems, when installed and operated under New York’s rigorous and updated safety standards, are safe.”
The declaration comes after the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council voted on July 25 to amend the state’s Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, making changes that the signatories said are focused on “strengthening safety requirements for battery storage systems.”…