Schneider Electric operates a large existing warehouse facility in Middletown, Pennsylvania, with an approximate floor area of 650,000 square feet. The client was evaluating options to expand storage operations within the facility by storing lithium-ion battery modules in proposed flow-rack and push-back rack systems.

Engineering Fire Protection, LLC provided fire protection code consulting services to support the proposed storage arrangement. The scope included evaluating applicable fire protection requirements, rack storage configuration, sprinkler protection options, flue spacing, horizontal barrier requirements, separation from other combustible storage, and supplemental fire/life safety considerations related to lithium-ion battery storage.

A key challenge was that the currently adopted building, fire, and sprinkler codes did not provide a direct prescriptive pathway for this type of lithium-ion battery rack storage. EFP helped the client navigate this code gap by developing a practical fire protection strategy based on FM Global lithium-ion battery storage guidance, NFPA 855, and current IFC provisions. The analysis helped the client compare feasible protection options and understand the fire protection upgrades and operational controls needed to safely expand battery storage within the existing warehouse.