PROGRAM: Wednesday November 20th
3a. Workshop: Fire-safe upholstered furniture and mattresses – a new approach by selected member states | In-person meeting (Brussels) from 09h00 - 12h30 (CET)
See PDF Presentations BelowAfter several fatal fires caused by the flammability and smoke production of upholstered furniture and mattresses, the Dutch government has decided to introduce legislation for the fire safety of furnishings. The NIPV has established a Community of Practice (CoP), in which companies participate that supply products that fit within the proposed regulations. Retailers also participate in this CoP. The CoP advises and supports legislators on basic principles that the legislation must comply with, as well as necessary and feasible test methods. The feasibility of new legislation for both large and small companies is therefore central to the CoP.
This workshop will explore this process from various perspectives, serving as an example for other Member States considering similar legislation and highlighting the roles that the business community and fire brigade can play in this process.
Aim
The purpose is to inform the audience about the process of developing fire safety regulations for upholstered furniture and mattresses in the Netherlands, emphasizing the specific role of the industry in this process as an example for other countries.”
Target group
DG representatives, regulators from Member States, UF and mattresses industry rep-resentatives, fire service and code organisations in the area of fire safety and furnishings.
Format
In-person
Location
L42 business center & workspaces, Wetstraat 42, 1040 Brussel, Belgium (capacity: 50 persons)
Welcome and overview
Developing Dutch Regulations
PDF Presentation
Furniture flammability performance - Regional regulations and impact of lowering standards
PDF Presentation
Panel discussion with audience
Closing followed by a networking lunch
This workshop is organized by:
3b. Workshops: The importance of flame retardants in modern society | Online & In-person meeting (Brussels) from 13h30 - 17h00 (CET)
Session I: Fire load and flammable materials in modern buildings: how can flame retardants contribute? - Pinfa event
Fire risk in today’s buildings is related not only to the building itself but also very much to electrical installations and contents, from furnishings and furniture through to clothing and consumer goods. Most of the materials in today’s building installations and contents are potentially flammable (plastics, composites, natural and artificial fibres and textiles …) and the total fire load is increasing.
Topics
- Fire Safety Expert: How has fire load and material flammability changed in buildings over the last 50 years? Why has this not resulted in a multiplication of fires and fire deaths?
- Firefighter: What does material flammability and fire load mean to firefighters? How to prevent a small fire source from turning into a flashover?
- Regulator or Regulatory Expert: How do building safety regulations take into account contents fire load? What other regulations are needed beyond building regulations?
- Fire Safety Testing Laboratory: How do fire performance standards and testing address building content fire risk mitigation
- Flame Retardants Expert: How can flame retardants reduce fire risks of building content by stopping fires from starting or slowing their development?
Speakers
- Krzysztof Biskup, European Fire Safety Alliance
- Eric Guillaume, Efectis France, General Manager
- Suzana Draganić, Igor Dzolev, and Mirjana Laban, University of Novi Sad
- Moderator – Esther Agyeman-Budu, pinfa
Session II: Burn test: A journey into fire safety and brominated flame retardants - BSEF event
The event offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate the value proposition of BFRs in enhancing fire safety by showcasing the brand new BSEF burn test video. It will provide a practical demonstration of the effectiveness of these retardants in reducing flammability and controlling the Heat Release Rate, providing more escape time. This will be framed in a broader discussion on fire prevention from the standpoint of product design and for buildings.
Take home message
Brominated Flame Retardants play an important role in preventing or delaying ignition to products, thereby protecting citizens, and particularly the vulnerable, in their homes and offices by increasing escape time.
The importance of fire safety measures in Buildings
Each fire victim is one too many. It is paramount to resound the importance of fire safety measures in buildings. These measures include the design, construction, and maintenance practices limiting the risk of start and spread of fires and the consequences of fires. It is necessary to ensure early detection and suppression of fires, safe evacuation, compartmentation, structural stability and provisions to facilitate fire-fighting and rescue.
Fire safety measures in buildings are vital for safeguarding human life, property, businesses and environment. When planned in a holistic manner, they help to prevent and control fires, reduce injuries and fatalities, minimize financial losses and ensure legal compliance. Proper fire safety measures are not only legal and moral obligations but also a wise investment in the quality, safety and sustainability of any building.
Take home message
Fire safety measures in buildings are a wise investment . Performance based design and a holistic concept are the basis for achieving a fire safety of a building.
This workshop is organized by:
