Guidelines

Unified interpretations for better solutions

If you want to receive updates on our guidelines, subscribe to our newsletter

The work of the CFPA Europe fire safety commissions

The European fire protection associations have decided to produce common guidelines

See more

The European fire protection associations have decided to produce common guidelines in order to achieve similar interpretation in the European countries and to give example of acceptable solutions, concepts and models. The guidelines reflect best practice developed by the countries of CFPA Europe. The CFPA E has the aim to facilitate and support fire and natural hazards protection and security work in the European countries, but where the guidelines and the national requirement conflict, national requirement must apply.

 

Know how and copyright

All copyrights are reserved to CFPA E and members. Copies and reprints of the text and of large extracts are authorized under the following conditions:

  • with indication of the original titles.
  • with indication of CFPA-E.
  • with respect of the general contexts of the guideline.

Only minimal changes due to translation are authorized.

If you want to receive updates on our guidelines, subscribe to our newsletter

Foam Concentrates – The Selection Criteria
Foam Concentrates – The Selection Criteria

CFPA-E Guideline No 43:2024 F

More information

Many industrial activities require the use and therefore the storage of flammable liquids, sometimes in large quantities. Fires involving this type of product (class B fires) are very often fought, whether by in-house teams or firefighters from the fire and rescue service, with the use of foam concentrates. Foam concentrates are thus one of the key factors in the fire protection strategy. However, other important factors must be taken into account in their use in order not to compromise the safety of people and property. This guideline provides the involved parties with relevant criteria for choosing an appropriate foam concentrate.

See less

Guidance document for Selection of Fire Protection Systems
Guidance document for Selection of Fire Protection Systems

CFPA-E Guideline No 42:2023 F

More information

This guideline presents a general method of choosing protection measures, which are applicable to any risk. When implementing measures for a specific risk, a person shall comply with the corresponding technical guidelines applicable in the particular case. , e.g. fire protection systems. are normally the responsibility of those managing safety in companie

See less

Safety instructions for the use and charging of small and medium size lithium ion powered devices
Safety instructions for the use and charging of small and medium size lithium ion powered devices

CFPA-E Guideline No 41:2023 F

More information

 This guideline presents recommendations for the users of small and medium electronic devices powered by lithium ion batteries. Other possible dangers are electric shocks and chemical risks

See less

Procedure to certify CFPA-E Fire Safety Specialists in Building Design
Procedure to certify CFPA-E Fire Safety Specialists in Building Design

CFPA-E Guideline No 40:2023 F

More information

This Guideline presents a comprehensive procedure to qualify and recognize the knowledge and experience of a Fire Safety Specialist in Building Design, with the curriculum and competencies described. The procedure is developed, supported and recognized by the CFPA-E and its member Associations.

See less

Fire protection in schools
Fire protection in schools

CFPA-E Guideline No 39:2021 F

More information

The guideline contains the fire safety requirements for all kind of schools with more than 30 people, excluding nurseries.

See less

Fire safety recommendations for short-term rental accommodations
Fire safety recommendations for short-term rental accommodations

CFPA-E Guideline No 38:2022 F

More information

This publication is intended to inform all the above target audiences in terms of flooding hazards and associated risks. With instructions and recommendations for practice, all the target audiences should, in addition, be supported:

  • to identify the existing hazards,
  • to identify, analyze, and evaluate the associated risks, particularly to determine and protect people who may be affected,
  • to prioritize relevant safety objectives and
  • to introduce and implement adequate and effective protection measures.
See less

Photovoltaic systems: Recommendations on loss prevention
Photovoltaic systems: Recommendations on loss prevention

CFPA-E Guideline No 37:2018 F

More information

This guideline should give guidance for the proper design, installation, operation and maintenance so that safe operation of photovoltaic systems can be assured. The guideline covers grid connected photovoltaic systems installed on buildings. It provides information on loss prevention with respect to fire protection, firefighting, mechanical, electrical and security aspects.

See less

Fire prevention in large tents
Fire prevention in large tents

CFPA-E Guideline No 36:2017 F

More information

The purpose of this guideline is to assist safety practitioners in the development of fire safety measures and to ensure the safety of people in large tent(s) and marquees used for shows, circuses, trade fairs, exhibitions, etc.

 

See less

Fire safety in warehouses
Fire safety in warehouses

CFPA-E Guideline No 35:2017 F

More information

This guideline concerns storage premises, both large and small. The measures concern not only owners, tenants and staff who administer and operate warehouses, but also the local population who may be affected by a serious fire in their immediate neighborhood. It is intended that the contents will help to prevent fires from occurring and minimize the impact of any incident that does take place.

 

See less

Emergency power supplies
Emergency power supplies

CFPA-E Guideline No 34:2015 F

More information

This Guideline outlines practical measures that can be taken to reduce the number of fires associated with emergency power generating equipment. The guidance applies to the use of fixed and portable generators and to uninterruptable power supplies that are often provided for computer installations and associated equipment.

See less

Evacuation of people with disabilities
Evacuation of people with disabilities

CFPA-E Guideline No 33:2024 F

More information

This guideline describes the measurements that should be considered when designing public premises that are accessible for people with disabilities.

See less

Treatment and storage of waste and combustible secondary raw materials
Treatment and storage of waste and combustible secondary raw materials

CFPA-E Guideline No 32:2023 F

More information

These specifications substantiate the fire protection requirements and measures to be considered for recycling plants and mechanical-biological waste treatment plants from a general point of view and they are based on state-of-the-art fire protection expertise. They include specifications that help reduce fire hazards and their effects.

See less

Protection against self-ignition and explosions in handling and storage of silage and fodder in farms
Protection against self-ignition and explosions in handling and storage of silage and fodder in farms

CFPA-E Guideline No 31:2021 F

More information

This guideline in intended to provide farmers themselves an adequate understanding of the phenomena of self-ignition and explosion and the prevention measures that can take to achieve an acceptable level of safety.

See less

Basic principles of fire safety of historical buildings
Basic principles of fire safety of historical buildings

CFPA-E Guideline No 30:2021 F

More information

This guideline provides knowledge about simple, basic, low-cost actions, which can be done to protect historic buildings from fire. 

See less

Protection of paintings: Transport, exhibition and storage
Protection of paintings: Transport, exhibition and storage

CFPA-E Guideline No 29:2019 F

More information

The purpose of the guideline is to describe fire safety measures, applied specifically to the protection of paintings during transport, exhibition and storage.

See less

Fire safety in laboratories
Fire safety in laboratories

CFPA-E Guideline No 28:2022 F

More information

This guideline provides recommendations to supplement national regulations for fire safety in laboratories of all sizes. The guidance is directed to property protection and business continuity, as well as life safety issues.

See less

Fire safety in apartment buildings
Fire safety in apartment buildings

CFPA-E Guideline No 27:2021 F

More information

The objective of this guideline is to provide a reasonable safe environment for the occupants of apartment buildings and mainly to give them the opportunity to safely escape a fire.

See less

Fire protection of temporary buildings on construction sites
Fire protection of temporary buildings on construction sites

CFPA-E Guideline No 26: 2010 F

More information

Withdrawn July 2021, content is an attachment in CFPA E Guideline

See less
Emergency plan
Emergency plan

CFPA-E Guideline No 25:2023 F

More information

The aim of this guideline is to help a company or institution to be prepared for accidental situation e.g. fire and other incidents. This can be achieved by making a written document, the emergency plan.

See less

Fire safe homes
Fire safe homes

CFPA-E Guideline No 24:2016 F

More information

This guideline set out the requirements that must be satisfied in order that a dwelling may be categorized as a Fire Safe Home. The intention is that this guideline should be applicable to all types of dwellings, from single-family houses to flats in multistory buildings.

See less

Securing the operational readiness of fire control system
Securing the operational readiness of fire control system

CFPA-E Guideline No 23:2023 F

More information

This guideline documents the operational readiness of fire control systems and regulates their design and control.

See less

Wind turbines – Fire protection guideline
Wind turbines – Fire protection guideline

CFPA-E Guideline No 22:2022 F

More information

This guideline describes the typical risks of fire given under the special conditions of the operation of wind turbines, and proposes measures for loss prevention.

See less

Fire prevention on construction sites
Fire prevention on construction sites

CFPA-E Guideline No 21:2021 F

More information

The purpose of this guideline is to prevent as many fires on construction sites as possible and to reduce the severity of those that do occur, by presenting best practice regarding fire safety on construction sites.

See less

Fire safety in camping sites
Fire safety in camping sites

CFPA-E Guideline No 20:2022 F

More information

This guideline recommends fire precaution measures to be taken by the owner of the sites, and measures the guests may take to protect themselves from fires and explosions when they are visiting a camping site.

See less

Fire safety engineering concerning evacuation from buildings
Fire safety engineering concerning evacuation from buildings

CFPA-E Guideline No 19:2023 F

More information

This guideline supplies valid support for the evacuation strategy to allow occupants, anywhere within the structure, to be able to evacuate to a place of safety.

See less

Fire protection on chemical manufacturing sites
Fire protection on chemical manufacturing sites

CFPA-E Guideline No 18:2022 F

More information

This document introduces ways in which management can adopt measures that will help a business survive the effects of a significant and potentially damaging event, such as a fire or flood. This approach to business resilience delivers a framework on which a company can build, whatever its size and the nature of its business.

See less

Fire safety in farm buildings
Fire safety in farm buildings

CFPA-E Guideline No 17:2015 F

More information

This guideline highlights a number of important action areas and appropriate measures that are of general application in farms and should be aimed for.

See less

Fire Protection in Offices
Fire Protection in Offices

CFPA-E Guideline No 16:2016 F

More information

Good fire safety has many advantages when applied in offices. This guideline gives recommendations about how to deal with the main hazards in the office.

See less

Fire Safety in Guest Harbours and Marinas
Fire Safety in Guest Harbours and Marinas

CFPA-E Guideline No 15:2022 F

More information

This guideline recommends fire precaution measures taken by the owner of the harbors and measures the guests may take to protect themselves from fire and explosions when they are visiting a harbor.

 

See less

Protection of information technology facilities
Protection of information technology facilities

CFPA-E Guideline No 14:2019 F

More information

The protection of IT equipment have high significance. An adequate safety level can only be guaranteed by an integrated concept. Special emphasis shall be placed on a sensible combination of protection measures.

 

See less

Fire protection documentation
Fire protection documentation

CFPA-E Guideline No 13:2015 F

More information

The aim of this guideline is to give a simple and accessible description of what fire protection documentation should look like.

See less

Fire safety basics for hot work operatives
Fire safety basics for hot work operatives

CFPA-E Guideline No 12:2023 F

More information

The aim of the guideline is to improve the understanding and attitude of hot work operatives so that, within a general approach of risk assessment, they can carry out hot work in a safe manner.

See less

Recommended number of fire protection trained staff
Recommended number of fire protection trained staff

CFPA-E Guideline No 11:2015 F

More information

This guideline specifies different levels of training and makes recommendations about how many persons in a company should at less have those level trainings.

See less

Smoke alarms in the home
Smoke alarms in the home

CFPA-E Guideline No 10:2022 F

More information

The aim of this guideline is to prevent injuries, loss of lives and property in fires in the homes, giving recommendations to consider in the installation of fire alarms.

See less

Fire safety in restaurants
Fire safety in restaurants

CFPA-E Guideline No 09:2023 F

More information

The measures described in the Guideline tend to dwell on fire safety on the kitchen, although its theme of risk assessment will involve restaurant management in a survey of fire hazards in all areas and a comprehensive approach to such hazards.

See less

Prevention arson – Information to young people
Prevention arson – Information to young people

CFPA-E Guideline No 08:2004 F

More information

Withdrawn May 2022, content is now in CFPA-E Guideline No 01:2022 S

See less
Safety distance between waste containers and buildings
Safety distance between waste containers and buildings

CFPA-E Guideline No 07:2022 F

More information

Many arson attacks target waste containers and other combustible objects located outside buildings. These relatively innocuous fires too often develop into fires that can cause significant injuries or property damage when they spread into the buildings. This guideline gives the owners and occupiers of premises some basic advice about ways to prevent these.

See less

Fire safety in care homes
Fire safety in care homes

CFPA-E Guideline No 06:2021 F

More information

This guide aim to help with the planning, execution and maintenance of fire safety for individuals with weakened ability to act. 

See less

Guidance signs, Emergency lighting and General lighting
Guidance signs, Emergency lighting and General lighting

CFPA-E Guideline No 05:2023 F

More information

This guideline contains different requirements concerning guidance signs, emergency lighting and general lighting.

See less

Introduction to qualitative fire risk assessment
Introduction to qualitative fire risk assessment

CFPA-E Guideline No 04:2022 F

More information

There are many methods of carrying out a fire risk assessment and examples are Gardner, Meseri, frame and the Fire Safety Concepts Tree. An analytical method enables a better fire risk assessment to be made and allows better control to be exercised over the fire hazards.

See less

Certification of thermographers
Certification of thermographers

CFPA-E Guideline No 03:2023 F

More information

This guideline concerns the practice of thermography. In order for thermography to be carried out properly, it is essential that it is done by people, who have the right skills and experience in this area.

See less

Panic & emergency exit devices
Panic & emergency exit devices

CFPA-E Guideline No 02:2022 F

More information

This guideline applies where the activity imposes demands on doors, not sliding doors, which shall be normally kept locked from the outside and/or prevent the passage of unauthorized persons, and shall also be capable of use as means of escape

See less

Fire Protection Management System
Fire Protection Management System

CFPA-E Guideline No 01:2015 F

More information

The market imposes new demands for quality and safety. Today fire protection forms an integral part of a modern strategy for survival and competitiveness. This guideline gives a method for a systematic fire protection work.

See less

CFPA Europe Guidelines Commission documents

Please find the CFPA Europe relevant documents:

 

Send us your feedback

Leave you thoughts and help us to improve