FRV GL55: Fire Safety Guideline for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Understanding Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) Fire Safety Guideline GL-55 for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

FRV fire safety guideline “GL-55: Battery Energy Storage Facility” - What You Need to Know About BESS Fire Safety and Compliance Requirement in Victoria?

With the rise of renewable energy projects across Victoria, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are becoming critical infrastructure. But with opportunity comes risk; and regulators are stepping in to make sure safety isn’t an afterthought.

FRV’s Guideline GL-55 BESS sets out modern and advance fire safety expectations for large (grid scale), medium (commercial scale) and small scale (neighborhood/community) scale BESS projects, ensuring facilities are designed and operated to protect the community and emergency responders.  

This guideline recently issued by FRV, sets the updated industry benchmark for how batteries must be designed, built, and operated to minimize fire and explosion hazards. For businesses, understanding GL-55 is not just about ticking boxes, but rather it’s about protecting their investment, reputation, and the communities they serve. Here’s a breakdown of your most common questions.

Q1: What is FRV GL-55 BESS?

FRV GL-55 is a Fire Safety Guideline published by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) to provide clear requirements and expectations for the design, installation, and operation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). It sets out minimum safety standards to protect people, property, and emergency responders from fire and explosion risks associated with lithium-ion and other energy storage technologies.

This official guideline is widely accepted by industries even outside of Victoria as a reference point for fire safety risk in BESS installations. In simple terms, it tells businesses:

  • What risks to assess (fire, explosion, toxic gas)?
  • What standards to meet (like UL 9540A, IEC 62619, NFPA 855, AS 1940)?
  • What systems to install (fire detection, suppression, gas management)?
  • What plans to prepare (emergency response, hydrant coverage, site access)?

It applies to utility-scale batteries linked to solar and wind farms, commercial and industrial systems (like data centers, warehouses, shopping centers), and community/neighborhood batteries. Small home systems are generally excluded, as they fall under existing Building and Electrical codes; and operated under the general consumer legislation.

Think of GL-55 as a playbook: follow it, and you’re far more likely to get regulatory approval, insurer confidence, and community trust. Ignore it, and you could face costly delays, legal hurdles, or worse, a catastrophic fire.

Q2: Why was ‘GL-55 BESS’ developed?

With the rapid growth of renewable energy projects and distributed energy storage in Victoria, FRV identified the need for a consistent approach to BESS fire safety. GL-55 was developed to:

  • Address the unique hazards of lithium-ion batteries, including thermal runaway, toxic gas release, and explosion risks.
  • Ensure facilities are designed in line with best practice fire engineering principles.
  • Provide FRV with sufficient information to assess planning applications and respond effectively to BESS incidents.

Q3: What facilities does GL-55 apply to?

GL-55 applies to a range of projects, including:

  • Utility-scale BESS installations (grid-connected renewable projects).
  • Commercial/industrial BESS systems (e.g., data centers, large warehouses).
  • Community/neighborhood batteries (subject to scale and risk).

While smaller residential systems are generally covered by electrical and building codes, larger installations must comply with GL-55 requirements.

Q4: What are the key compliance requirements under GL-55?

The guideline requires project proponents to demonstrate compliance with codes, standards, and risk controls through detailed documentation, often via a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Fire Safety Study (FSS) and Fire Risk Assessment (FRA). Key requirements include:

  • Hazard identification of fire, explosion, and toxicity risks.
  • Consequence modelling (thermal radiation, over-pressure, toxic gas dispersion).
  • Battery certifications (UL 9540A, IEC 62619, etc.).

  • Fire protection systems: detection, suppression, and compartmentation.
  • Ventilation and gas management: to control toxic and flammable emissions.
  • Emergency response planning: site access, hydrant coverage, fire brigade information packages.
  • Standards alignment: NFPA 855, FM Global DS 5-32/5-33, AS 1940, AS 2419.1, AS 2118.1, and Australian NCC/BCA compliance.

Q5: How does GL-55 interact with other regulators and approvals?

FRV acts as a referral authority via the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) planning permit process as well as the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in Victoria (DECCA). While WorkSafe Victoria and CFA may also have roles depending on the site classification (e.g., Major Hazard Facility, Dangerous Goods storage), GL-55 ensures FRV’s operational requirements are explicitly addressed.

Q6: What does GL-55 expect from proponents submitting a Planning Application?

At the very early stage a proponent may be required to develop and submit a preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), subject to condition for their BESS project, which needs to cover -

  • Clearly identified hazards, risks, and potential incident scenarios.
  • A demonstration that offsite impact is within the acceptable limit

FRV will not endorse any project if there is a significant offsite impact from the proposed project.

Q7: What does GL-55 expect from proponents submitting a Fire Safety Study (FSS)?

The FSS must:

  • Clearly identify hazards, risks, and potential incident scenarios.
  • Demonstrate that prevention and mitigation controls are effective, independent, and auditable.
  • Address thermal runaway risks using validated modelling and test data.
  • Provide emergency services information book (EIB) tailored to FRV operational needs.

FRV will not endorse an FSS that is generic, incomplete, or fails to address fire, explosion, and toxicity effects.

Q8: What should project developers and consultants do to prepare?

To ensure compliance:

  • Engage early with fire engineers and risk consultants familiar with GL-55.
  • Develop a site-specific FSS, avoiding generic risk assessments.
  • Provide all relevant BESS technical data (chemistry, rack layout, capacity, fire systems).
  • Demonstrate alignment with international testing standards (UL 9540A, IEC).
  • Prepare for FRV review and get ready to incorporate feedback into final design.

Q9: Does GL-55 apply only to lithium-ion batteries?

While lithium-ion is the most common technology today, GL-55 applies to all large-scale energy storage battery chemistry where fire, explosion, or toxic gas risks exist.

Q10: What happens if my project doesn’t meet GL-55?

FRV is a referral authority in the planning permit process. Non-compliance could mean delays, redesign costs, or outright refusal of project approval.

Q11: How is GL-55 different from international standards like NFPA 855?

GL-55 references global standards but tailors requirements for Victoria’s context, including FRV’s emergency response protocols and Australian building codes.

Q12: What are the key compliance requirements under GL-55?

To comply, project proponents need to prepare the following key documents:

  • Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA)
  • Fire Safety Study (FSS)
  • Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)
  • Consequence Modelling
  • Bush Fire Risk Assessment (BAL)
  • Emergency response planning
  • Emergency Information Book (EIB)

NB: Not all these above documents are needed for all projects. Seek Risk and Safety Solutions Melbourne (RSSM) Expert advice on which document your project needs at what stage of a project.

Q13: When should I involve fire engineers and consultants?

The earlier, the better. Engaging experts during design stage avoids expensive redesigns and helps streamline the approval process.

Contact Risk and Safety Solutions Experience consultants, who are experienced in the Planning and Fire brigade expectation processes, who could save time, effort and cost of your project.

Q14: How does GL-55 affect insurance and investors?

Compliance signals that a project is low-risk and credible, which can lower insurance costs and make the project more attractive to investors.