Mesh Home Battery Emergency Response Guide

This Emergency Response Guide (ERG) is a resource for emergency responders, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), Pila Energy staff, installation partners, and customers, describing the hazards associated with the Pila Mesh Home Battery and the procedures to follow in an emergency.

The Pila Mesh Home Battery is a rechargeable Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery energy storage system designed for indoor residential use. It provides automatic backup power to connected loads during utility outages and intelligent energy management during normal operation. Throughout this guide, the Pila Mesh Home Battery is referred to as "the product." The information in this guide is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication and is reviewed periodically.

The latest revision of this guide should be available at pilaenergy.com/pages/emergency-response-guide.

Safety Data Sheets for materials in the Mesh Home Battery are available on request.

The Pila Mesh Home Battery contains sealed rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. The cells do not contain metallic lithium.

The battery cells are contained within an integrated battery pack equipped with a battery management system (BMS) designed to monitor and manage battery operation.

The Pila Mesh Home Battery is a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery energy storage system designed for indoor residential use. The product connects to utility power through a standard AC connection and provides automatic backup power to connected loads in the event of a utility power interruption.

The product described in this guide contains a rechargeable lithium-ion battery system and can present a risk of electric shock, fire, explosion, serious injury, death, or property damage if damaged, abused, or improperly handled.

The product contains sealed lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄ / LFP) battery cells and stores electrical energy. Do not disassemble, short circuit, puncture, crush, incinerate, immerse in or expose to liquids, force discharge, or expose the product to temperatures outside its specified operating range (see Section 3.3).

Mechanical, thermal, or electrical abuse may damage the battery cells and can result in internal or external short circuits, overheating, electrolyte leakage, fire, or other hazardous conditions. Under normal operating conditions, the electrolyte is contained within sealed battery cells. If the battery or enclosure is damaged, electrolyte may leak. Electrolyte is corrosive. Avoid contact with skin and eyes and ensure adequate ventilation if leakage occurs.

Under normal operating conditions, with the enclosure intact and closed, internal battery components are not accessible. The product contains no user-serviceable parts and should not be opened, disassembled, or modified.

The product contains a 51.2 VDC nominal battery system and can retain stored electrical energy when disconnected from utility power. Electrical hazards may be present if the enclosure, internal components, wiring, or safety systems have been damaged or compromised.

To isolate the product from utility power, turn the rear AC power switch to the OFF position or unplug the AC power cord from the wall receptacle. Disconnecting the product from utility power does not de-energize the internal battery.

If the product has been significantly damaged, treat it as potentially energized. Do not touch exposed internal components, conductors, or damaged electrical connections until the electrical hazard has been assessed.

Per the MB16-NA-A1 User Guide, the product must be connected only to a properly grounded 120V AC receptacle (no ungrounded adapters or extension cords that defeat the ground connection), on a circuit with 20A maximum branch circuit overcurrent protection per NFPA 70 / CSA C22.1. GFCI protection should be verified on the circuit or receptacle where required by the NEC or local code – note that in off-grid (battery/backup) mode, premises GFCI may not protect the product's outputs. AFCI protection should be verified on the branch circuit where required.

For proper installation / assistance with a damaged product, contact Pila (see 2.1).

The product is designed to operate within an ambient temperature range of -20°C to 45°C (-4°F to 113°F), at 5–95% relative humidity, non-condensing.

For storage, the specified temperature range is -30°C to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F) for short-term storage of less than 7 days, and -20°C to 45°C (-4°F to 113°F) for long-term storage of less than 6 months.

Do not operate or store the product outside its specified temperature limits. Exposure to excessive heat, open flame, or other localized heat sources may damage the battery cells and increase the risk of overheating, fire, or other hazardous conditions.

Keep the product away from radiators, heat registers, stoves, open flames, and other heat-producing equipment. Keep all ventilation openings clear and unobstructed.

If the product has been exposed to excessive heat or fire, treat it as potentially hazardous and follow the applicable emergency response procedures in this guide.

Mechanical damage to the product may compromise the enclosure, battery cells, electrical components, or internal safety systems and can result in hazardous conditions, including:

Do not use or operate the product if the enclosure is cracked, punctured, crushed, deformed, or otherwise significantly damaged, or if the product has been dropped or exposed to liquid.

If the battery or enclosure is damaged, electrolyte may leak. Electrolyte is corrosive. Avoid contact with skin and eyes and ensure adequate ventilation if leakage occurs (see Section 3.6).

Do not open, disassemble, crush, puncture, or otherwise penetrate the product enclosure. If significant mechanical damage is present or suspected, treat the product as potentially energized and follow the applicable emergency response procedures in this guide.

The product contains lithium-ion battery cells with sealed electrolyte. Under normal operating conditions, the electrolyte is contained within the battery cells and is not exposed.

If the battery cells or product enclosure are damaged or compromised, electrolyte may leak. Electrolyte is corrosive and contact with skin and eyes should be avoided.

If electrolyte contacts the skin or eyes, immediately flush the affected area with water and seek medical attention. Ensure adequate ventilation if electrolyte leakage occurs.

Do not touch, handle, or attempt to clean up leaked electrolyte without appropriate personal protective equipment. Treat a product exhibiting electrolyte leakage as damaged and potentially hazardous.

The product contains lithium-ion battery cells with sealed electrolyte. Venting or release of electrolyte or gases is not expected under normal operating conditions.

If the battery cells are damaged, overheated, or otherwise subjected to abnormal conditions, the integrity of the sealed cells may be compromised. If venting, smoke, vapor, unusual odor, or other evidence of battery cell failure is observed, treat the product as potentially hazardous.

Do not inhale or intentionally come into contact with materials released from a damaged or overheated battery. Move away from the affected area and provide ventilation when it is safe to do so. Avoid potential ignition sources in the vicinity of a damaged or venting product.

Conditions requiring emergency response may include, but are not limited to:

In the event of an emergency:

Emergencies during transportation may include, but are not limited to, smoke, fire, unusual odor, electrolyte leakage, abnormal heating, or a transportation accident resulting in significant physical damage to the product.

In the event of a transportation emergency:

Firefighters responding to a fire involving the product should wear full structural firefighting protective equipment and positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Avoid direct contact with electrolyte or other materials released from a damaged or burning battery.

Smoke, vapor, unusual odor, abnormal heating, or other signs of battery cell failure may indicate a hazardous condition.

If a product is venting, smoking, or exhibiting signs of abnormal heating:

If a structure fire occurs and the product is not directly involved in the fire, conduct firefighting operations in accordance with standard structure-fire procedures while recognizing the presence of the battery energy storage system.

Only perform the following steps if the product can be safely accessed.

Turn the rear AC power switch to the OFF position.

Unplug the product's AC power cord from the wall receptacle.

IMPORTANT: These steps isolate the product from utility/mains power. They do not de-energize the internal battery.

After disconnecting the product:

If the product cannot be safely accessed directly — for example, due to proximity to fire, heat, or smoke — but the home's electrical panel can be identified and safely reached, switching off the branch circuit breaker serving the product's outlet will cut utility power to the unit without requiring anyone to approach it. Unlike a hardwired system with its own dedicated breaker, the MB16-NA-A1 plugs into a standard household outlet that may share a branch circuit with other loads or fixtures. If the correct breaker cannot be confidently identified, or the panel cannot be safely reached either, do not attempt this — evacuate the immediate area, prevent unauthorized access, and contact emergency response personnel.

If the product cannot be safely accessed or the correct breaker cannot be confidently identified or safely reached, do not attempt to perform the shutdown procedure. Evacuate the immediate area, prevent unauthorized access, and contact emergency response personnel.

If electrical shock has occurred or is suspected, do not touch the affected person while they remain in contact with an energized electrical source.

If it is safe to do so, isolate the electrical source without directly contacting the affected person. Seek immediate emergency medical assistance.

The product contains lithium-ion battery cells with sealed electrolyte. If the battery or enclosure is damaged, electrolyte may leak. The electrolyte is corrosive and contact with skin and eyes should be avoided.

If electrolyte contacts the skin or eyes, immediately flush the affected area with water and seek medical attention.

If a person has inhaled smoke, vapor, or gases released from a damaged, overheated, or burning battery, move the person away from the affected area and into fresh air, provided it is safe to do so.

Seek immediate medical assistance if the person experiences difficulty breathing, respiratory distress, or other adverse symptoms.

Store the product indoors in a dry location protected from flooding, rain, prolonged moisture, excessive heat, and other conditions that may damage the product or battery.

Maintain the following storage conditions:

Keep the product away from radiators, heat registers, stoves, open flames, and other heat-producing equipment. Do not block ventilation openings.

Before placing a stored product into service, visually inspect it for signs of damage. Do not use the product if the enclosure is cracked or damaged, the power cord is damaged, or the product has been dropped or exposed to liquid.

For storage periods exceeding six months, contact Pila for recommended storage and battery-maintenance procedures.

A product that has been dropped, crushed, punctured, exposed to fire or liquid, or otherwise significantly damaged may present electrical, fire, or chemical hazards. Damage to the enclosure may also compromise the battery cells or internal safety systems.

Do not use, reconnect, charge, or return a damaged product to service.

If damage is observed or suspected:

The Pila Mesh Home Battery contains lithium-ion battery cells and must not be disposed of in household trash or general waste.

If a product is damaged, has been involved in a fire or other thermal event, is leaking, or is otherwise suspected to be unsafe, do not ship, transport, dismantle, or dispose of the product without appropriate instructions.

Contact Pila for guidance regarding evaluation, handling, transportation, recycling, or disposal of the product. Depending on the condition of the battery, Pila may direct the product to an appropriately qualified battery recycler, hazardous-materials service provider, or other approved facility.

Damaged or defective lithium-ion batteries may be subject to special packaging, handling, and transportation requirements. Do not return a damaged product to Pila or ship it using normal parcel or freight services unless specifically instructed to do so.

Products that are not damaged and have reached the end of their useful life should be recycled through an appropriate lithium-ion battery recycling program or facility in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

The Pila Mesh Home Battery contains no user-serviceable parts. Do not open, disassemble, modify, or attempt to repair the product.

Maintenance, service, or repair requiring access to internal components should only be performed by Pila-authorized personnel or a Pila-authorized service facility.

If the product is damaged, malfunctioning, or suspected to be unsafe, discontinue use and contact Pila for assistance. Do not reconnect, charge, or return a damaged product to service until it has been appropriately evaluated.

Lithium-ion batteries are regulated as Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods (also known as hazardous materials) under applicable transportation regulations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, and applicable national regulations, including U.S. hazardous materials regulations.

These regulations contain specific requirements for packaging, marking, labeling, documentation, handling, and transportation of lithium-ion batteries. Personnel responsible for preparing dangerous goods for transportation must receive appropriate training as required by applicable regulations.