4.-5. December 2024
  • Forums at the VdS-FireSafety Cologne

VdS-FireSafetyTalk

Live on the trade fair stage

On December 06 and 07, 2023, you can once again experience the popular VdS-FireSafetyTalk on site. In moderated talk rounds of 90 minutes each, top-class fire protection experts will discuss live on stage in the exhibition hall topics that move the industry. They bring in different experiences, perspectives and points of view, so that the viewers gain versatile insights into the respective complex of topics.  As a trade show visitor, you can follow the panel discussions live and at no extra charge.

Talk round on 06.12.2023, 11.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.: Fire protection as a hurdle in digitization!
Is media technology in the escape & rescue route a danger?

At airports or train stations, at authorities or clinics, in shopping centers or building entrances: Digital media technology is increasingly used as a signpost, information medium, advertising medium or even to bridge waiting times with entertaining content. The added value of digital signage systems is obvious. The situation is less clear when it comes to fire safety requirements and the approval of media technology for installation in sensitive areas. An independent working group (ARGE) under the auspices of VdS worked on a leaflet to simplify the evaluation of electrical equipment in sensitive areas such as escape & rescue routes. Since 01 September 2023, the leaflet has been published and the first electronics manufacturers have had media technology in particular recognized in accordance with VdS 6024.

What does the VdS 6024 Code of Practice mean for building authorities, fire protection planners and operators of sensitive areas? Is it a mandatory guideline? Which fire protection scenarios are covered? Can fire loads now be set up in the escape & rescue route in compliance with VdS 6024? These and other questions will be discussed in the panel by four experts from different perspectives.

The panel of experts consists of:

  • Heike Siefkes, VdS Schadenverhütung
  • Knut Czepuck, Ministerialrat State of NRW
  • Alina Hetzel, Brandschutz Planung Klingsch
  • Werner Green, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
  • Klaus Schäfer, gekartel

Moderator: Markus Fiebig, JOB Group

Talk round on 07.12.2023, 11.30 a.m. -1.00 p.m.: Fire protection in timber construction

In June 2023, the German government adopted the so-called Timber Construction Initiative. This is intended to increase the political focus on climate- and resource-friendly construction with wood. The much-publicised building turnaround, which is to lead to a climate-neutral building stock, requires, among other things, legislative adjustments in the area of building regulations. Baden-Württemberg is already taking a pioneering role here and, in addition to wood as a building material, also allows insulation materials made from renewable raw materials for buildings on an urban scale. In North Rhine-Westphalia, these developments are being followed with interest at the political level, as NRW Construction Minister Scharrenbach explained at a symposium in Berlin in August 2023.

What do these developments mean for building practice? How is the fire risk changing? Can the currently accepted safety level in fire protection be maintained? What challenges do we have to face? These and other questions will be discussed in the panel by four experts from different perspectives.

The expert panel consists of:

  • Lisa Ansel, HAHN Consult
  • Kasimir Altzweig, Störmer Murphy and Partners
  • Alexander Wellisch, Feuerwehr Hamburg
  • Leo Ronken, Berater für Risikobewertung in der Sachversicherung

Moderator: Michael Schmidt, Swiss Re

Do you have questions? Contact us under:

+49 221 77666 471