Fire protection regulations 2026 - BFH in the project team

Adapted to technical progress, as risk-based as possible and corresponding to the level of protection to be aimed for – these are the requirements for the new Swiss fire protection regulations, which are expected to be implemented in 2026. The operational processing of the new fire protection regulations was put out to public tender in advance. The Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF) has now commissioned two experts from the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH to develop them: fire protection expert Prof. Isabel Engels and risk expert Prof. Dr. Dirk Proske. The three-member project team is completed by construction lawyer Alois Keel from Winterthur.

The head of the project team, Isabel Engels, is looking forward to the exciting task and the cooperation with the team. "I am aware of the responsibility that, in addition to the technical challenges, the organisational challenges such as communication with the client and the stakeholders as well as level-headed project management are central to the success of the project," says Engels.

A great opportunity

Fire safety is a central topic at BFH, both in teaching and research and in numerous continuing education courses. Last year, the fire safety department was strengthened with the addition of lecturers Isabel Engels and Christoph Renfer. "Now we can further expand our activities in research and development," says Hanspeter Kolb, Head of Fire Safety and Building Physics at the Institute of Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA. "The BFH's involvement in the revision of the 2026 fire safety regulations is therefore a great opportunity," Kolb is convinced.

The Intercantonal Body on Technical Barriers to Trade (IOTH), which commissioned the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF) to draft the regulations, is responsible for issuing them.