The latest updates from the National Fire Protection Association include revisions to NFPA 855, which governs stationary energy storage systems, and the newly released NFPA 1970:2025 standard for firefighter protective equipment.
The updated NFPA 855 standard introduces stricter requirements for battery safety as energy storage deployment accelerates globally.
The 2026 edition expands the range of covered technologies, explicitly including newer battery chemistries such as lithium metal, sodium sulfur, and zinc-based systems, reflecting the rapid evolution of the sector.
A key change is the elevation of hazard mitigation analysis from a conditional requirement to a default expectation for most installations.
The revised standard requires both UL9540A testing and large-scale fire testing to better assess thermal runaway risks and prevent fire from spreading between battery units.
Additional updates include more structured emergency response planning, mandatory annual training, new requirements for emergency power systems supporting critical safety infrastructure, and expanded use of fire detection technologies such as thermal imaging for lithium-ion storage.
At the same time, the introduction of NFPA 1970:2025 marks a major shift in firefighter protection standards.
The regulation was introduced late last year and consolidates several previous standards into a single framework covering structural and proximity of firefighting gear, breathing apparatus and safety equipment.
For the first time, the standard mandates the use of particulate-blocking hoods in structural firefighting, aimed at reducing exposure to carcinogens and toxic contaminants. Under the previous NFPA 1971:2018 standard, the use of such hoods was optional, allowing fire services to choose between traditional knit hoods and those with protective barriers.
The 2025 update merges NFPA 1971, 1975, 1981 and 1982 into one comprehensive benchmark, simplifying compliance while raising safety expectations across the sector. While traditional knit hoods may still be permitted in limited cases, such as proximity to firefighting or under older certifications, all new structural firefighting gear must now incorporate certified particulate protection.
Manufacturers have begun responding to the changes.
PGI Safety Products has introduced its BarriAire Carbon Shield™ Elite Pro and Elite Pro Short hoods, which it says meet the new requirements and offer up to 99.9 per cent particulate filtration efficiency while remaining breathable and free from intentionally added PFAS chemicals.
The rollout of NFPA 1970 also comes at a time when countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar are ramping up investment in fire protection systems, emergency response capabilities and compliant protective equipment as part of major infrastructure and development programmes.
