How can we construct multi-storey timber buildings to be fireproof? Braunschweiger Brandschutz-Tage 2022 returns to in-person attendance

Renewable raw materials are a big topic in the building industry. The advantages of wood as a building material are obvious: wood is resource-efficient, stores CO₂, weighs less than concrete or steel and can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. But how fireproof is wood? Are timber constructions actually more dangerous than classic solid construction methods? How can the fire risk be reduced? Scientists at the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Safety (iBMB) at Technische Universität Braunschweig are investigating this and will report on it at the Braunschweiger Brandschutz-Tage on 14 and 15 September 2022.

Fire protection in timber construction and the effects of digitalisation on fire protection planning are the focus of the 36th Braunschweiger Brandschutz-Tage. Professor Jochen Zehfuß, scientific conference director and head of the fire protection department at the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Safety (iBMB): “The development of fireproof constructions for timber construction and novel hybrid construction methods as well as building materials made from renewable raw materials has been one of our research focuses for several years. These constructions are essential prerequisites for a safe design of the city of the future.”

Every fire has a cause

The conference, which will take place at the MEC Millenium Event Center in Braunschweig this time, will again be opened with a key note talk. “Brandursachen kennen heißt Schäden verhüten. Ein Blick hinter die Kulissen der Brandermittler” (Knowing the causes of fire means preventing damage. A look behind the scenes of fire investigators) – this is what Dr. Hans-Hermann Drews, Head of the Institut für Schadenverhütung und Schadenforschung der öffentlichen Versicherer e.V. in Kiel, will be speaking about.

In addition to timber construction, the programme includes digital topics such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) for fire protection planning, fires from energy storage systems or device-integrated fire protection measures, current regulations as well as innovative fire protection concepts, for example for large arenas and industrial buildings.

Trade exhibition

More than 30 exhibitors from all over the German-speaking world will present the latest developments in products for structural, system, defence and organisational fire protection at a trade exhibition. The programme will be rounded off by the international symposium “Structural Fire Engineering”, where national and international experts in the field of fire simulation will meet on 13 September. The workshop “Feuerlöschanlagen” (Fire Extinguishing Systems) on 14 September will deal with special questions of extinguishing system technology. Another highlight on this day will be the awarding of the Fire Protection Young Talent Prize, which is unique in Germany.

About the Brandschutz-Tage

The ” Braunschweiger Brandschutz-Tage” are among the most important fire protection conferences in the German-speaking world. Around 700 engineers working in the field of fire protection from building supervisory authorities, fire brigades, insurance companies, engineering offices, industry, testing institutes and research institutions have been coming together since 1987 at the invitation of the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Safety at Technische Universität Braunschweig to exchange information and ideas.

Further information: www.brandschutztage.info