On August 29, 2025, the National Standardization Administration Committee unveiled the General Technical Requirements for Fire Monitoring and Early Warning Systems in Electrochemical Energy Storage Stations (GB/T 46261 - 2025). This standard is set to take effect on September 1, 2026, heralding a new era of standardized safety prevention and control for electrochemical energy storage stations in China.

New Standard: Shifting from "Fire Detection" to "Risk Anticipation"

The newly introduced national standard tackles the long-standing challenges in electrochemical energy storage stations, such as the difficulty in early fire detection, delayed alarms, and uncoordinated linkage mechanisms. It does so by standardizing the terminology, overall architecture, functional requirements, performance indicators, test methods, and inspection rules for fire monitoring and early warning systems. Key highlights of the standard include:

● Bridging the Gap: This marks the first national standard in China specifically tailored for fire monitoring and early warning systems in electrochemical energy storage stations. It represents a significant leap from reactive disaster response to proactive risk prevention in energy storage fire safety.

● Tailored Gas Early Warning: Innovatively, the standard incorporates CO₂ gas into the monitoring scope and sets distinct CO₂ alarm thresholds for liquid-cooled and air-cooled electrochemical energy storage stations.

● Multi-Parameter Surveillance: Detailed regulations govern the functional and performance requirements for monitoring alarm devices in multi-parameter surveillance, covering gases, temperature, smoke, and pressure. This ensures a holistic approach to fire risk perception and early warning.

Gas Monitoring for Early Fire Warning in Energy Storage Stations: The Rationale Behind CO₂ Selection

Early Gas Release

The thermal runaway of lithium batteries is a chain reaction process. In the early stages of thermal runaway, processes like solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) decomposition and reactions between the anode and electrolyte release CO₂. This characteristic makes CO₂ a valuable early indicator of thermal runaway, enabling timely warnings.

Image Source: Progress in Gas-Sensitive Technology for Monitoring and Early Warning of Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Batteries, Energy Storage Science and Technology Journal

Substantial Release Volume

During thermal runaway, a significant volume of CO₂ is generated. Processes such as SEI decomposition, anode-electrolyte reactions, and the reaction of oxygen released from cathode material decomposition with the electrolyte continuously produce CO₂. The substantial release volume simplifies the detection of concentration changes, enhancing monitoring reliability and sensitivity.

Image Source: Progress in Gas-Sensitive Technology for Monitoring and Early Warning of Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Batteries, Energy Storage Science and Technology Journal

Minimal Environmental Impact

CO₂ is an inert gas that does not engage in secondary reactions within the battery and is not readily adsorbed by materials like separators and electrodes. Compared to gases like H₂ and CO, CO₂ maintains a relatively stable concentration in both indoor and outdoor air, resulting in minimal environmental interference. This makes CO₂ detection results easier to analyze and interpret. Furthermore, CO₂ is rarely produced during normal charging and discharging, effectively preventing false alarms under normal operating conditions.

ATRS-1062 Composite Fire Monitoring Alarm: Dual Guarantee of Compliance and Safety

In response to the early fire monitoring and early warning needs in electrochemical energy storage stations, Cubic Sensor and Instrument Co., Ltd. has introduced the ATRS-1062 composite fire monitoring alarm. Leveraging NTC thermistors, light scattering, and non-dispersive infrared technology, it effectively monitors temperature, smoke, and CO₂ concentration indicators during thermal runaway in energy storage stations:

01 Comprehensive Performance, Precise and Dependable

With a T90 response time of ≤ 30 seconds, the alarm operates stably across a wide temperature range and adapts to various harsh industrial and civil environments. The built-in CO₂ detection element, featuring dual-engine technology and advanced automatic calibration, ensures long-term high precision and stability.

02 Composite Detection for "Zero" False Alarms

By composite monitoring of temperature, smoke, and CO₂ indicators, the alarm effectively mitigates interference from environmental factors such as dust, particulates, and non-fire-related smoke, eliminating false alarms.

03 On-Site Automatic Emergency Response Without Human Intervention

The ATRS-1062 alarm utilizes relay output. When temperature, smoke concentration, or CO₂ concentration reaches the warning threshold, it automatically activates on-site ventilation and alarm devices via relays, enabling localized linkage control.

Faced with the stringent requirements of the new national standard, the Cubic Sensor and Instrument Co., Ltd. ATRS-1062 alarm, guided by national standards and centered on precise monitoring, establishes the first line of safety defense for electrochemical energy storage stations!