Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.
For decades, facilities management has remained relatively static: protect the building envelope, manage HVAC, and ensure critical safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, are maintained. However, the landscape is shifting. As infrastructure becomes more technologically complex, traditional ways of working are no longer just inefficient—they are a liability.
From massive lithium-ion battery arrays powering backup systems to the vast unmanned halls of data centers, the scale of modern infrastructure risk is becoming increasingly visible. Recent safety data underscores the challenge: In 2024, there were 2.5 million non-fatal workplace injuries and over 5,000 fatal incidents recorded in the U.S. While not all safety incidents are fire-related, a growing proportion of high-stakes incidents are being linked to lithium-ion battery systems.
As we look toward a future defined by AI, high-voltage power structures, and 24/7 uptime, facilities managers must ask themselves—is our safety strategy evolving as fast as our technology?
The NFPA 800 Turning Point
We are currently amid a rush in battery usage. Lithium-ion technology has become the lifeblood of modern facilities; however, it introduces a volatility that traditional fire safety codes were not designed to handle. Unlike a trash can fire or an electrical short in a wall, lithium-ion fires ignite explosively and undergo thermal runaway—a state of uncontrollable, self-heating that produces intense heat and toxic, flammable gases.
When it comes to risks in facilities management, we are dealing with something already quite embedded such as stationary energy storage systems and uninterruptible power supplies that underpin an entire digital economy.
While the industry is reacting to this rapid change, the pace is intense. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is currently finalizing NFPA 800, its first holistic battery safety standard. This is a watershed moment, with NFPA 800 being the first full-lifecycle standard, covering everything from manufacturing and transport to installation, operation, and end-of-life management. For FM professionals, this is a signal that battery management is moving from a concern to a primary compliance factor.
NFPA 800 introduces energy thresholds and maximum allowable quantities that determine when additional safeguards are required. It aligns with existing standards like NFPA 855 (energy storage systems) and NFPA 72 (national fire alarm and signaling code), creating a framework that forces a refresh of knowledge. To remain aligned with evolving guidance, facilities must move away from reactive mentalities toward proactive, specific mitigation strategies.
Data Centers: The Rise of ‘Unmanned Towns’
Nowhere is the shift more visible than in the data center sector, particularly in hubs like northern Virginia. Often referred to as the “data center capital of the world,” this region is a microcosm of the modern FM challenge.
These facilities are essentially small, high-voltage towns. They pull massive amounts of power and capacity to satisfy the global hunger for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. Businesses are investing in data centers at a record pace to prepare for the changing landscape of how we work in the future. Yet, unlike a manufacturing plant or a busy corporate office, these sites are often largely unoccupied.
This essentially means detection isn’t just a requirement—it is the entire goal. When a facility is “lights out,” the traditional safety net of a human smelling smoke or a security guard on walking patrol, disappears.
In these environments, a fire that starts at 2:00 a.m. in a server rack or a battery room might not be noticed by a human for hours. By then, the loss isn’t just the building. It’s huge amounts of data, millions in hardware, and the digital infrastructure of a global enterprise. This is why we are seeing a shift toward automated, connected monitoring systems that act as 24/7 eyes and ears.
Challenges of Manual Inspections
Despite the high stakes, many facilities will still depend on reactive processes. Manual inspections are intermittent by nature. Even the most diligent ear experiences fatigue, and error rates increase as shifts wear on. In a 1.5 million-square-foot facility, a manual walkthrough is merely a snapshot in time. If a battery begins to off-gas 10 minutes after the inspector leaves the room, that risk remains invisible until it is too late.
Modern risks demand continuous 24/7 monitoring, real-time alerts to off-site personnel, and automated detection that doesn’t rely on human presence.
Bridging the Infrastructure Gap
A significant challenge for FM teams is that technology is moving faster than codes. We are building infrastructure so quickly, driven by the AI boom, that businesses are forced to rely on old codes that don’t reference the newer technologies being housed.
Furthermore, many older data centers are currently undergoing live expansions—adding more servers and pulling more power than they were originally designed for. During these upgrades, existing safety systems (like BMS or legacy fire systems) may need to be temporarily bypassed or may simply be inadequate for the new power loads.
This is where wireless, temporary, and interconnected technologies could become vital. Platforms can bridge these gaps by bringing multiple safety systems—from fire detection to call-in systems—into a single, unified view. This gives facilities managers a more holistic understanding of site safety and helps ensure there are no blind spots during repairs or expansions.
U.S. vs U.K. markets
As we look at FM standards globally, there are stark differences in how we approach space and regulation.
In the U.K. and Europe, space is at a premium. Planning is incredibly strategic and FM teams must work within tighter physical constraints. Plans are often dictated by historical or environmental building limitations.
In North America, there is the luxury of space—deserts and vast fields allow for massive data center campuses. However, this limitless space brings a different kind of complexity.
The U.S. regulatory environment is still notoriously patchy. Rules can vary wildly from one city to the next or state by state. However, U.S. building inspectors are notoriously stringent. Whether it’s a local county inspector or a federal auditor, a visit can happen at any point to see if the facility meets the specific requirements of the local code.
Moreover, the North American population demands more power and higher usage of digital systems. Whether it’s Amazon or federal servers, the complexity of these facilities requires a more nuanced, data-driven approach.
Smarter Solutions
The way we work is rapidly changing. With every new server rack and every new lithium-ion backup array, we invite a higher level of risk into our facilities. To meet that risk, we must embrace the electronic components that are increasingly taking over human roles. This doesn’t mean removing the human element from FM—it’s adapting it. By utilizing notifications, sensors, and off-site communications, we allow technology to be our eyes and ears.
Facilities management teams can strengthen their safety and compliance through:
- System interconnectivity: Breaking down the silos between fire, security, and building management systems.
- Proactive upgrades: Not waiting for a system to fail or a code to be enforced before upgrading to smarter detection.
- Real-time data: Using digital software to notify specific issues and locations instantly, reducing response times from minutes to seconds.
Final Thoughts
Whether it is a shipyard, a medical facility, or a high-density data center, the risks today are high-power and high consequence. The manual era of facilities management is giving way to an era of automation and connectivity.
The imminent arrival of NFPA 800 should serve as a wake-up call. We now need to ensure that the controls we know are required are actually applied consistently in practice. By moving toward smarter, data-driven solutions, we can ensure that as facilities grow in power and complexity, they remain safe, compliant, and resilient against the challenges of a high-tech world.
James Pecz is vice president of Ramtech North America, which designs and develops wireless life safety solutions used across construction, infrastructure, and industrial environments.