George Mylonakis, making the introduction, referred to the need for a multilevel approach, in response to the question of whether we can do something in Wildland – Urban Interface areas, so that the buildings become more fire resilient.

In particular, he underlined what exactly ELIPYKA is doing with its 7 Commissions, in the direction of this approach.

Dr. Sofia Karma, as a representative of Mr. Efthymios Bakoyannis, Secretary General of Spatial Planning and Urban Environment, of the Ministry of Energy and Environment, gave important information on updating and improving the Fire Protection Regulation.

Tommy Ardvisson gave an overview of the mission of CFPA-E, with its commissions on Natural Hazards, Guidelines, Training, Marketing & Information and Safety, as well as information on CFPA Ambassadors.

Miguel Vidueira presented CFPA Guideline 61 on Forest Fires, which provides information on:

• How a fire develops and spreads
• Forest fire prevention techniques
• Forest Firefighting
• Life in Wildland – Urban Interface areas, providing practical advice for carrying out activities in the forest and instructions for the minimum distances of structures from it, the distances between chimneys and trees, etc.

Dr. Guido Zaccarelli underlined the dramatic increase of forest fires in Italy, from 2017 onwards and referred to the causes of them, with a detailed statistical analysis and rich evidence.

He then presented a multi-level action plan, of the Italian Administration, which consists of:

• study and analysis for prevention
• development of trans-European synergies
• organization for optimal use of the existing infrastructure, the development of technologies for detection and suppression of fires
• Suppression with severe law enforcement and penalties for arson-related crimes.

Dr. Mingyi Wang, referred to the strategic focus on “Implementing Adaptation Solutions to the Impact of Climate Change and Sustainability in Managing Extreme Weather Risk” at all levels (local, regional, national and European).

Finally, Dr. Yiannis Kontoulis, starting with the question of how we can save lives and property in Wildland – Urban Interface areas, referred to the views of experts, which are summarized on:

• securing access to these areas,
• the use of non-combustible materials A1 and A2 in nearby buildings
• assessing these areas from fire hazard, creating fire hazard maps

Fire hazard maps, combined with seismic hazard maps and energy saving climate zones, could be what he called the “Resilience Triangle.”

About the Conference

It is estimated that globally, two billion square meters of new building stock are needed every year between now and 2025, especially for housing. Global carbon dioxide emissions have increased by almost 50% since 1990, and as it is seen, in the search for sustainable development, timber buildings seem to take precedence. In addition to environmental friendliness, timber buildings pose some additional risks, such as fire safety.

The online conference will bring together a multidisciplinary group of leading engineers and researchers in the domain of fire risk assessment, building design, and construction. Agenda topics will include design objectives, practical experiences, and research. The conference will provide time for facilitated discussion and dialogue.

Conference fee and registration: 50 € plus VAT, Register today: https://forms.gle/z99vg3RTYYDGywaY9

Conference program

09.45 – Registration

10.00 – 10.15: Conference Openings

• Milan Hajduković, president of SZPV
• Tommy Arvidsson, director of CFPA Europe

Panel 1: 10.15 – 11.00: Design Objectives for Timber buildings – Codes, guidelines, and fire risk evaluations

• Björn Karlsson, Associate Professor, University of Iceland & CFPA Europe: Comparing the Fire Risk in a Timber Frame Building and a Concrete Frame Building – Design Strategies to diminish fire risk

11.00 – 11.10 Coffe break / Time for sponsor presentations

Panel 2: 11.10 – 12.30: Practical experiences

• Nik Kumer, Bruno Dujič: Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) – Fire Safety depends on Details
• Srečo Klemenčič: Fire stopping of service installations in timber fire separating elements
• Aleš Jug: Firefighting in timber buildings
• Nataša Knez, ZAG: Improvement of reaction to fire properties of wood by treatment with mineralization

12.30 – 12.45 Coffe break / Time for sponsor presentations

Panel 3: 12.45 – 13.30: Research and Future Steps

• Robert Pečenko, Tomaž Hozjan (UL FGG) in Sabina Huč (UL FKKT): Fire resistance of timber structures – research and development of design methods
• Friderik Knez, ZAG: Boosting fire research in Slovenia and South Central Europe with EU funded ERA Chair

13.30 – 14.00 Wrapping up the conference – discussion + Q&A

PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF RISK MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL. HOW TO BETTER TRAIN AND EDUCATE EMPLOYEES?

The co-construction of the concept of security and safety is essential, according to Christophe Ramy, Head of the Security Division, Health & Safety Division ITER Organization and President of the Agora club of Southeast Security Directors.

For Guillaume Savornin – Chief Executive Officer of CNPP, people are indeed at the heart of risk management and control.
Yannick Grivaud, for his part, underlines the need for education around regulations and the sharing of good practices.

What then are the challenges of training?
How do you adapt humans to solving complex problems?
How to educate the employee at the request of specific training?
How to develop training to increase interest and be as close as possible to the reality on the ground?
How to support in the continuity of anticipation and prevention?

Answers in the REPLAY
https://www.agoranews-securite.fr/security-live-remettre-lhumain-au-coeur-de-la-surete-securite-comment-mieux-former-et-sensibiliser-ses-collaborateurs/

Organized by the Hellenic Institute for the Fire Protection of Structures (EL.I.PY.KA.)

The 1st Conference for the Fire Protection of Structures, Athens, Greece, organized by the Hellenic Institute for the Fire Protection of Structures (EL.I.PY.KA.) took place at Eugenides Foundation during 07-08/02/2020, It was attended by more than 500 delegates from all over Greece and abroad. Among attendees were engineers, executives from Greek ministries, state organizations and Fire Brigade, who had the opportunity to follow 23 presentations from an international panel. Among presenters, were several academics, internationally acclaimed scientists, certified fire engineers, fire safety researchers and consultants, Fire Brigade officers, audit and consulting engineers and risk assessment and certification organizations’ executives.

Deputy Minister of Environment & Energy, Mr. Dimitri Economou, saluted the Conference and so did the representative for the General Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Urban Environment.

The conference covered important issues on fire protection in Greece as well as the international view with presenting participants from Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Cyprus and Singapore, as well as representatives from EURIMA and CFPA-Europe.

Presentations raised the issue of fire protection regulation in Greece, commented on its legal dimension and the role and capability of local fire testing laboratories, shared best practices regarding external façade systems of buildings, steel structures and fire resistant doors and also examined the critical issue of Wildlife-Urban Interface (WUI). Furthermore, other presentations gave instances of European and global experiences. Interesting points were made regarding building evacuation policies, compliance with fire protection requirements for building facades and the role of fire engineers in a modern context of Fire Safety in Structures. Dr. Amaya Osacar, member of the Fire working group of EURIMA, stated the importance of the role of architects in a holistic approach of building design that takes into account fire protection early on the building design.

On behalf of EL.I.PY.KA. Dr. Yiannis Kontoulis, Chairman of the Board of Directors, presented the Institute’s vision, aims and proposals for a sustainable and safe development in construction, through an applicable model of fire safety audits, specifications, studies, construction approaches and systems & personnel certification, including the necessity of enrichment for the existing Regulatory Framework and creation of an effective control mechanism. The conference also presented proposals by EL.I.PY.KA, regarding a methodology for checking Existing Buildings’ compliance with Fire Protection Regulations, as well as a comprehensive proposal for the creation of evaluation standards, linking the Market needs and experience with the studies and training of new engineers.

The discussion that followed brought forward the importance of the initiative and the role of EL.I.PY.KA. All participants made a pledge to follow up on this effort, both with the organization of a subsequent conference and of course with the presentations in other Greek cities.

In conclusion, the success and dynamism of the first conference of EL.I.PY.KA, as well as the Institute’s contribution to the Fire Safety discussion until now, has shown its ability to coordinate the ongoing effort and to continue being a reliable partner for all parties sharing the common goal to reduce and prevent the loss of life and property because of fire.

Cologne, January 2020. The programme of the second international VdS-conference on fire protection systems, April 29th, 2020 in Bucharest (Romania), can now be downloaded as PDF-file from www.vds.de/firero. At the conference, international experts from industry and fire protection organisations will present an overview on current technology and developments as well as numerous solutions based on practical experience. The participants can look forward to the following topics:

• Automatic fire protection systems from the point of view of fire
  brigades
• Sprinkler systems: new developments in the guidelines VdS CEA 4001 for planning and installation
• Major fire and reconstruction of a medium-sized sawmill
• Operational readiness of water extinguishing systems
• Automatic water extinguishing systems from view of installer
• Planning and installation of water mist systems
• Water mist protection of an underground mass transport system

In addition there will be an exhibition at the conference site where international companies will present their current solutions, among them Siemens, Salzgitter Mannesmann, Viking and FireDos. CFPA Europe will also be present at the exhibition! At the evening of April 28th a get-together with possibilities to visit the exhibition takes place.

The conference will be held in cooperation with ROFMA, the Romanian Facility Management Association.
Conference languages are Romanian and English with simultaneous translation.
Registration for exhibition and conference is now open.
More information on the conference at www.vds.de/firero.
For exhibitors: please mail to fachtagung@vds.de

Our director Tommy Arvidsson gave a speak about CFPA E and informed about some very successful projects within CFPA Europe. He also talk about the conditions for cooperation and its importance for the CFPA E. EAPFP is the European Association for Passive Fire Protection and the chair in Miroslav Smolka from Slovakia, left on the photo. In the middle is Ana Ferreira from APSEI. APSEI is member of both EAPFP and CFPA Europe.