WERGS Response Guide

DO THIS NOW

Immediate actions

1
Assess from a safe location. Do not approach smoke, venting, flame or an alarming enclosure.
2
Raise the site alarm and notify the Control Room.
3
Evacuate upwind to the nominated assembly point using the approved route.
4
Call Triple Zero (000), or confirm fire services have been called.
5
Keep clear. Relay the affected unit ID, alarm information and observations from safety.
6
Account for people and report anyone missing.

RECOGNISE

Signs and triggers

Smoke, flame, vapour or unusual odour
Hissing, popping, swelling or rapid temperature rise
BMS/GEMS, gas-detection or fire-system alarm
A person reporting eye, skin or breathing irritation near the event

DO NOT

Actions that increase the risk

Do not enter or open an enclosure or cabinet.
Do not inhale smoke, gas or vapour.
Do not operate isolation or suppression systems unless trained, authorised and directed by the approved procedure.
Do not fight the fire unless that action is explicitly assigned, trained and safe.
Do not re-enter until emergency services and the site incident controller authorise it.

FIRE

AUSTRALIAN COLOUR GUIDE

Which extinguisher for which fire?

Evacuate first. Fight only a small, contained fire if you are trained, the correct extinguisher is available and a clear escape route remains behind you.Australian extinguishers are generally red. The coloured band identifies the agent—always confirm the fire rating on the extinguisher label.

No extinguisher colour makes a BESS thermal-runaway event safe.FRNSW states that gaseous and dry-powder agents do not stop thermal runaway. Withdraw, raise the alarm, call 000 and follow the approved site procedure. BESS firefighting is for authorised responders.

All red

Water

Class A

Wood, paper, cloth and ordinary combustible solids.

Do not: Never use on energised electrical equipment, flammable liquids or cooking oils and fats.

Blue band

Foam

Classes A & B

Ordinary combustibles and flammable or combustible liquids.

Do not: Never use on energised electrical equipment. Not suitable for flammable-gas fires.

White band

Dry chemical powder

Check label: ABE or BE

ABE: Classes A, B, C and E. BE: Classes B, C and E.

Do not: Not suitable for cooking-oil and fat fires. Confirm the exact rating printed on the label.

Black band

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Classes E & B

Energised electrical equipment and small flammable-liquid fires.

Do not: Limited cooling and re-ignition protection. Beware of the cold, forceful discharge.

Oatmeal band

Wet chemical

Classes F & A

Cooking oils and fats; may also be used on ordinary combustibles.

Do not: Never use on energised electrical equipment. Not suitable for flammable liquids or gases.

Yellow band

Vaporising liquid

Check label: A, B & E

Only where a current, approved unit is installed and its label rates it for the fire.

Do not: Older yellow-band BCF/halon units were withdrawn. Do not use an unverified extinguisher.

Class D — combustible metals: Use only a special-purpose Class D extinguisher matched to the metal. Do not improvise.

SUPPORTING RESPONSE

Role-based actions

Person discovering the event

Move away, raise the alarm and identify the unit from a safe position.
Warn others without delaying your own escape.

Control Room / incident controller

Initiate the approved site emergency plan and required alarms.
Confirm 000 notification, establish accountability and provide site status to responders.
Use remote information only; do not direct personnel into the hazard area.

Gate / responder liaison

Meet responders at the nominated entry point when safe.
Provide the emergency-services information package, site map, SDS and OEM emergency information.

EMERGENCY-SERVICES HANDOVER

Information to provide

Exact site address, entry gate and affected BESS unit/block
Observed smoke, flame, venting, sounds, odours and alarm times
People accounted for, injured or missing
Known battery chemistry, quantity, SDS and OEM emergency guidance
Status of electrical isolation, suppression systems and nearby exposures
Wind direction, drainage/runoff risks and restricted areas

WHEN THE IMMEDIATE DANGER HAS PASSED

Recovery and reporting

Maintain the exclusion area and atmospheric controls specified by emergency services.
Do not touch or move fire-affected batteries or residues.
Preserve alarms, video, logs and witness details.
Complete internal and statutory notifications under the approved plan.
Review this guide after the incident or exercise before revalidation.

Approved reference sources

This draft must be checked against the site emergency plan, OEM procedures, SDS, local law and emergency-service direction.

Safe Work Australia — Emergency plans and procedures↗Queensland Fire Department — Fire Extinguishers: types, colour bands and fire classes↗Fire and Rescue NSW — Large-scale external lithium-ion BESS (3 July 2026)↗Fire and Rescue NSW — Emergency plan requirements at lithium-battery sites↗