Comprehensive, risk-based revision of the Swiss fire safety regulations
The Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF) has undertaken to revise the Swiss fire safety regulations (BSV) on the basis of a risk-oriented approach by 2026. Bern University of Applied Sciences is leading the project team.
Factsheet
- Lead school School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
- Institute(s) Institute for Timber Construction IHB
- Research unit(s) Fire Safety group FGBS
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.07.2019 - 31.12.2026
- Project management Prof. Isabel Engels
- Head of project Prof. Isabel Engels
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Project staff
Prof. Hanspeter Kolb
Nicolas Seidlitz
Prof. Dr. Dirk Proske
Prof. Isabel Engels
Irene Weber
Joy Frieden
Jasmin Liberto - Partner VKF
Situation
Switzerland typically updates its fire safety regulations once per decade to reflect technological advancements. In 2018, the intercantonal authority for technical barriers to trade (IOTH) tasked the VKF with revising these regulations using a risk-based approach. The new version will be developed “from the ground up and with a focus on actual risks”. A complete overhaul of the 2015 fire safety regulations (VKF-BSV 2015) is required to implement the IOTH’s directive. The IOTH intends to achieve deregulation, a simplification of the regulations and a more uniform approach to enforcing them. The principle of proportionality demands that regulations are only enacted if they are deemed reasonable, necessary, and suitable for their intended purpose after weighing all relevant interests.
Course of action
The development of the BSV 2026 will be guided primarily by the risk-oriented vision for its outcome. This vision is shaped by the following three pillars, defined during Phase 1 of the project: transparency (transparent regulations facilitate a qualitative understanding of the rationale behind each measure); consistency (a standardised framework and a well-defined combination of verification procedures produce uniform results); efficiency (risk-oriented optimisation of the regulations). Transparency and consistency simplify regulations and make their enforcement more consistent and justifiable. From vision to reality: the development of the new BSV takes place in three phases. Phase 1: development of a basic framework and equipment requirements; Phase 2: determining the risk orientation and proportionality of the regulations; Phase 3: revision of structure and content. The operational development of the new fire safety regulations was publicly tendered, and the VKF has commissioned Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH to carry out the project. Fire safety expert Professor Isabel Engels heads the three-member team alongside risk expert Dr Matthias Schubert (Matrisk GmbH) and legal expert Dr Josua Raster (Kehl & Raster GmbH).
Result
The new Swiss Fire Safety Regulations, expected to come into force in 2026, will be adapted and adaptable to technical advancements, risk-oriented and aligned with a well-defined safety level. They will be developed around a clear structure. All requirements are based on a single core concept and follow a seamless process. Processes, terminology, interfaces and other relevant components will be streamlined, condensed and standardised. A well-considered approach to fire safety management for buildings and people, with a clear focus on both risk and proportionality, will produce reasonable and efficient measures. Fire safety assets and objectives, risk characteristics and a risk-cost assessment will take centre stage in this new generation of regulations. Rather than a product of chance, the BSV 2026 will be the comprehensive realisation of a defined mandate and vision.
Looking ahead
As of May 2024, the following steps are still outstanding before the release of the BSV 2026. Between April and July 2025: technical consultation; between February and April 2026: political consultation; September 2026: approval of the BSV 2026 by the IOTH plenary assembly.
