Forward with engineering-based fire protection

In Switzerland, too, fire protection engineers can now join forces in the professional association "Society of Fire Protection Engineers": Yesterday, Tuesday, in Zurich, the official SFPE Switzerland was launched. The aim of the specialist group is to promote engineering-based and performance-based fire protection in Switzerland. In recent years, the Swiss Association of Independent Safety Engineers and Consultants (SSI) has mainly promoted regulation-based fire protection.

Thought for unconventional construction projects

For the planning and implementation of fire protection, around 80 percent of all buildings in Switzerland are currently implemented according to the prescribed standard concepts of the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF). Increasingly, however, "unconventional" building projects are being implemented, some of which deviate from the standard, says David Grossmann., President SFPE Switzerland. This is where engineering fire protection comes into play. Where standard solutions are unsuitable, innovation, creativity or engineering competence are needed.

"Fire Safety Engineering" training planned

In Switzerland, there is training as a fire protection specialist and as a fire protection expert. However, David Grossmann emphasizes that this training does not cover all aspects of engineering fire protection. And that is precisely why there is a need for such a professional association in Switzerland, one that also makes its presence known to the outside world. The ETH Zurich has been approached and suggested that an MAS course in "Fire Safety Engineering" be initiated. The aim is for ETH Zurich to start the two-year course in the summer semester of 2020. ETH Professor Andrea Frangi was also present at the founding event, where he gave a short presentation on the topic of "Fire safety through education and research" and outlined the planned course.

Broad support

Incidentally, the extremely well-attended founding event in Zurich was also attended by John Harrington, President of the international SFPEHe traveled especially from the USA. Armelle Muller, President of the European SFPE, also came to Zurich from Paris. The foundation of the SFPE Switzerland by the VKF, the sia association of engineers and architects, and the SSI.