Unique fire protection concept for old town
The city of Bern, the local building insurance company and other partners recently officially launched the CasaSegura association. This is the starting signal for the implementation of the new fire protection concept in Bern's old town, which is unique in Switzerland.
The Lower Old Town in Bern has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1983. Twenty years ago, there was a blaze in the historically valuable walls of the Junkergasse. The sad result: one human life, several injured and five destroyed old town houses. The damage to property amounted to several million francs.
A major fire in a narrow old town is a horror scenario for emergency services and fire protection experts. Now, Bern is tackling such a scenario with a new concept. "CasaSegura"is intended to protect the area from major fires. Such a solution for an entire neighborhood is a novelty in Switzerland, the initiators emphasize. They include the city of Bern, the HEV Bern and surroundings, the building insurance Bern (GVB) and the Vereinigte Altstadtleiste Bern.
Equipped with radio smoke detectors
The CasaSegura project is based on radio smoke detectors that are networked with a transmission box. In the event of a fire, this automatically notifies the fire department via mobile communications. The installation costs per house are reported to be between 7,000 and 9,000 francs - less than one-fifth of conventional fire alarm systems. Of these costs, the Bern building insurance covers 25 percent.
Tested with three pilot plants
To coordinate the installations and ensure cost-effective operation, the initiators founded the CasaSegura association. The office is located at the HEV Bern and surroundings. Markus Caflisch, secretary of HEV Bern und Umgebung, explains that the association makes it easy for homeowners to participate and, thanks to framework agreements with tradesmen, offers attractive conditions for installation. Caflisch is also the association's managing director.
The current project was preceded by a trial operation with three pilot systems. The Head of Prevention and Intervention at the Bern Building Insurance Association, Theo Bühlmann, is pleased that the test operation was successful and that the concept can now be implemented across the board. The first buildings will receive "CasaSegura" protection in the next few weeks, the association emphasizes.
"CasaSegura" is an important element in the commitment to protect the Lower Old Town, said Reto Nause, Director of Security, Environment and Energy of the City of Bern. The preservation of this world cultural heritage for posterity is a top priority. The intangible value is inestimable, which is why the community must take fire protection in this perimeter particularly seriously. (rs)
