Euralarm has announced the establishment of the inaugural European Fire Detection Forum, an event dedicated to discussing the future challenges and opportunities within fire detection and electronic fire safety across Europe.
This forum is set to occur on 2 December 2026 in Cologne, Germany, and will be part of the VdS-FireSafety Cologne, also known as VdS-BrandSchutzTage.
Forum overview
The European Fire Detection Forum is a collaborative effort by Euralarm, hosted during the VdS-FireSafety Cologne. This integration aims to add significant value by creating a European platform for exploring the latest trends and future possibilities in electronic fire detection.
The inaugural event will be held under the theme: "Fire safety in a changing world and the changing world of fire safety – From reaction to prediction: the next paradigm of electronic fire safety." Discussions will focus on advancements aimed at earlier fire detection and reducing false alarms.
Addressing new challenges
As tech evolves and fire risks rise, detection systems face new challenges and opportunitiesAs digital technologies evolve and fire risks increase, fire detection systems are encountering new challenges and opportunities. Key advancements in areas such as connectivity, artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, sustainability initiatives, and predictive maintenance are redefining the role of fire detection in modern safety strategies.
Concurrently, changing regulations and the advent of new building technologies, alongside risks like lithium-ion battery fires, necessitate innovative approaches and enhanced collaboration within the sector.
Dedicated platform for discussion
The European Fire Detection Forum will serve as a meeting ground for manufacturers, installers, system integrators, fire safety experts, regulators, insurers, and policymakers to engage in conversation about these transformations and direct the industry's future.
This will include keynote speeches, expert panels, and technical sessions on key topics such as:
- Emerging and future fire detection technologies
- Artificial intelligence and sensor fusion integration
- Reducing false alarms and system reliability improvement
- Sustainability in fire detection strategies
- Early detection of lithium-ion battery incidents
- Digitalisation and remote service benefits
- Future regulatory and standards framework for fire detection in Europe
Expert commentary
Peter Mita, President of Euralarm, commented: "Fire safety is entering a period of profound transformation. New technologies are creating opportunities to detect fires earlier, reduce unwanted alarms and improve building safety. At the same time, society faces new risks and increasing expectations regarding sustainability and digitalisation. With the European Fire Detection Forum, Euralarm is creating a platform where industry experts, regulators and end users can discuss these developments and help shape the future of fire safety in Europe."
Ingeborg Schlosser, divisional director of VdS, the organisers of VdS-FireSafety Cologne, stated: "The cooperation with the VdS-FireSafety Cologne reflects a shared commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and supporting innovation throughout the fire safety community. By combining the European perspective of Euralarm with the strong market presence and reputation of VdS, the event aims to become a leading forum for discussing the future of fire detection technologies and their role in protecting people, property and the environment."
Networking opportunities
Attendees of the Euralarm Forum will have the opportunity during breaks and on 3rd December to visit the international trade fair hosting around 200 exhibitors, as well as network with attendees from other VdS-expert conferences.
