CEA issues draft SOP for mandatory third-party fire safety audits of BESS

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released a draft Standard Operating Procedure for mandatory and independent third-party fire safety audits of Battery Energy Storage Systems. Comments from stakeholders and the public are open until 11 January 2026.

The draft Standard Operating Procedure has been prepared under the proposed CEA Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply First Amendment Regulations 2025. It sets out a structured process for assessing fire safety in Battery Energy Storage Systems to reduce thermal runaway risks and protect personnel, assets, and grid operations.

The draft defines responsibilities for Battery Energy Storage Systems owners, accredited Independent Third Party Agencies, and individual auditors. Owners need to schedule pre-commissioning audits, carry out periodic audits every five years, appoint a fire safety officer for Battery Energy Storage Systems, and retain audit reports for at least ten years. All audits must be undertaken by teams from Independent Third Party Agencies empanelled by the Directorate General of Fire Services.

The draft also sets minimum qualifications for auditors. Auditors need relevant diplomas or professional experience and Directorate General of Fire Services-approved training. A checklist in Annexure I guides each audit and covers documentation, site layout, and detection and suppression systems. The draft also gives fixed timelines for submitting audit reports and for closing corrective actions.

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