Battery Storage System

An energy storage system is intended to receive electric energy and store it in some form and then provide electrical energy to the local electric power system.

A storage battery includes one or more rechargeable cells of the lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other rechargeable electromechanical cells. Storage batteries can be used in commercial or residential buildings for different purposes. Today's storage batteries can be used for peak shaving, emergency backup, demand response or photovoltaic energy backup.

For further information regarding storage battery installations please review article 480 of California Electrical Code.

Be advised that different requirements apply based on the battery application.

See the submittal requirements for Residential Single Family Home Battery Storage System or Commercial/Multi-family Battery Storage System:

 

Residential Single Family Home Battery Storage System submittal requirements:

  1. Download, complete, and provide Building Permit Application, Residential Take-off, and Electronic/Digital Signature Disclosure.
  2. Provide Site Plan/Floor Plan showing equipment location.
  3. Provide an electrical single line diagram. If applicable, include revised or existing PV Plans (site Plan, floor plan, single line diagram, placard label diagram).
  4. Note on plan: “Electrical equipment shall be listed by City of Irvine recognized testing laboratory.”
  5. Provide battery manufacturer specification. Battery needs to be listed for UL 9540.
  6. Provide manufacturer’s anchorage detail. A battery (or batteries installed at the same location) weighing more than 400 pounds requires structural calculations and mounting details stamped and signed by a CA licensed Civil/Structural Engineer.
  7. Go to irvineready.com, click on Getting Started, and follow the instructions to submit.

 

Commercial/Multi-family Battery Storage System submittal requirements:

  1. Download, complete, and provide Orange County Fire Authority Plan Submittal Criteria form, Building Permit Application, Commercial Take-off forms, and Electronic/Digital Signature Disclosure.
  2. Download, complete and provide applicable Tenant Improvement or Residential Remodel City of Irvine plan check title sheet.
  3. Provide Site Plan/Floor Plan showing equipment location. Equipment screening may be required per Irvine zoning code section 3-20-1.
  4. Provide an electrical single line diagram. If applicable, include revised or existing PV Plans (site Plan, floor plan, single line diagram, placard label diagram).
  5. Note on plan: “Electrical equipment shall be listed by City of Irvine recognized testing laboratory.”
  6. Provide battery manufacturer specification. Battery needs to be listed for UL 9540.
  7. Provide manufacturer’s anchorage detail. A battery (or batteries installed at the same location) weighing more than 400 pounds requires structural calculations and mounting details stamped and signed by a CA licensed Civil/Structural Engineer.
  8. Go to irvineready.com, click on Getting Started, and follow the instructions to submit.
Source: 2016 CEC, UL 9540