Residential Battery Energy Storage Systems

Residential Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), often paired with solar panels, commonly use lithium-ion batteries and can present risks like fire, explosions, and chemical exposure.

Here's how to stay safe:

Minimise risks
  • Certified installation: Use only accredited technicians for installation.
  • Location safety: Install BESS in a cool, ventilated, low-traffic area, away from entries and exits. Installation requirements can be found in AS/NZS 5139.
  • Regular Maintenance: Schedule checks with an authorized technician.
  • Emergency Contacts: Keep the installer and manufacturer contacts near the meter box.
Photos of damaged BESS units. Flood photo source: Bradley Richardson/Australian Defence Force/AFP/Getty Images.

If your battery is damaged

Damage may include, but not limited to, impact, fire, or water ingress (including flooding).

  • Do not use: Avoid restarting a damaged system.
  • Shutdown safely: Follow the shutdown procedure if safe.
  • Professional inspection: Contact the manufacturer or technician for inspection and disposal.

In Case of Emergency
  • Evacuate: Leave immediately and call Triple Zero (000), mentioning a BESS is involved.
  • Stay out: Don't re-enter until the authorities give the all-clear.
  • Seek medical help: For smoke or chemical exposure, get medical assistance. For burns, cool with water for 20 minutes and call Triple Zero (000).

Installation requirements by law

AS/NZS 5139: Sets out installation and safety requirements for battery energy storage installation.

Learn more from the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council website here.

More information

Further information and related pages

Campaign resources and downloads

A campaign toolkit has been developed to help you communicate with your local community about how to safely use and dispose of lithium-ion batteries. It contains assets and resources for you to download and share.

View the Lithium-ion battery safety campaign kit here.

Did you know?


The use of heaters, cigarettes and candles are common causes of fires.


When you're asleep, you won't smell the smoke from a fire.


You're twice as likely to die in a home fire if you don't have a working smoke alarm.

Fire and Rescue NSW responds to approximately
4500
residential fires each year. Half of these fires start in the kitchen, mostly due to unattended cooking.


Electrical appliances and faults cause almost 40% of home fires.