An overview of fire and explosion hazards related to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Current testing standards and methodologies will be discussed to understand how to quantify the expected hazards. Information on existing and evolving codes and standards will be provided to understand the associated risk and mitigation strategies using both prescriptive and performance-based methodologies. Public information from historic incidents involving BESS will be reviewed to understand the failure modes at the system level. Practical guidance will be provided for forensics analysis of fire and explosion incidents involving BESS.