VdS Marks Successful Completion Of Their VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2022 Event

The joy of seeing each other again to network and exchange knowledge could be felt everywhere at the VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2022.

More than 4,000 visitors from Germany and abroad - a new record - came to the Koelnmesse and visited the large trade fair with its attractions as well as the top-class expert conferences in the adjoining halls.

Technical fire prevention

The large trade fair for structural, organizational, and technical fire prevention and protection was a hive of activity on both days of the fair. For example, the demonstration of a low-pressure water mist system and the stand of the VdS fire detection laboratory, where a new laboratory testing device for CO detectors was shown in action, were very popular. Guided tours of the fair gave visitors a good overview of interesting innovations. One of the many topics represented was lithium batteries and their fire hazards.

One of the many topics represented was lithium batteries and their fire hazards

A real crowd-puller was the VdS-FireSafetyTalk, which took place on the large stage in the fair for the first time as a presence event, so that this time the spectators could follow the live discussions at close quarters.

In two 90-minute discussion rounds, experts represented different points of view on current fire protection topics. All 100 seats were filled for both rounds, and many more interested people followed the discussions standing up.

Modern distribution centers

The first-panel discussion explored the topic of ‘Engineering thinking versus normative requirements in technical fire protection.’ This opens up an interesting field of tension: on the one hand, legal and normative requirements must be fulfilled in the planning and implementation of fire protection measures, on the other hand, the special features of the object to be protected must be taken into account.

The second panel discussion, ‘Modern logistics as a challenge for fire protection,’ dealt with the increasingly larger, higher, and denser warehouses that bring new risks and requirements with them. The talk explored the question of how the design of modern distribution centers can meet both the requirements of building regulations and those of operators and insurers.

Valuable background information

The fully booked ‘Advanced training seminar for fire protection managers’ took place on both days

The Future Forum on Fire Protection and the Exhibitor Forum on the same stage also attracted many interested visitors. The diverse topics of the Future Forum included BIM (Building Information Modelling), AI (Artificial Intelligence), and cyber security for fire protection systems.

In the exhibitor forum, selected exhibitors explained current developments from their companies and provided valuable background information.

Eight top-class conferences

The eight top-class conferences held in the halls adjacent to the exhibition hall attracted a thousand participants per day. On 7 December the program included the expert conferences - ‘Fire Extinguishing Systems’, ‘Voice Alarm Systems’ and ‘Structural Fire Protection,’ on 8 December the compact seminar ‘Building and Fire Protection in North Rhine-Westphalia,’ the expert conferences ‘Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems’ and ‘Fire Detection and Alarm Systems’, as well as the impulse conference ‘Hydrant Systems.’

In addition, the fully booked ‘Advanced training seminar for fire protection managers’ took place on both days. Next year, the VdS-FireSafety Cologne will again be an important date for fire protection professionals. It will be held again at Koelnmesse on 6 and 7 December 2023.