- Industry professionals emphasized the urgency of implementing regulatory changes and raising public awareness.
- The event, organized by the Spanish Association of Fire Protection Companies (Tecnifuego), gathered over a hundred experts, industry representatives, and institutions.
Madrid, January 30th, 2025. The interplay between sustainability and safety was the central theme of the latest edition of ‘Fire Day,’ organized by the Spanish Association of Fire Protection Companies (Tecnifuego), held on January 21 in Zaragoza (Spain).
Under the title “Sustainability and Fire: New Challenges,” the event brought together experts, authorities, and industry professionals to discuss the challenges sustainability presents to fire protection. Three key discussion panels covered topics such as lithium-ion batteries, photovoltaic installations, and fire safety in high-rise and high-risk buildings.
Adrián Gómez, president of Tecnifuego, opened the event by stressing the urgent need to develop protection solutions that ensure safety while aligning with environmental objectives. He highlighted factors such as the uncontrolled use of electric chargers, fire-prone sustainable materials, climate change, and neglected forests that have intensified fire hazards. “Society is evolving very quickly, but fire protection measures are not advancing at the same pace,” Gómez lamented, citing alarming statistics such as 249 fire-related fatalities recorded in Spain in 2023 (according to a study by APTB and Fundación Mapfre), along with €600 million in economic losses, in addition to environmental and social impacts.
To address these issues, Gómez proposed essential initiatives such as making the installation of fire detectors connected to monitoring systems mandatory in all homes, ensuring the effectiveness of evacuation routes in buildings, maintaining urban-forest areas free of risks, and guaranteeing proper access for emergency services. Similarly, Antonio Tortosa, Vice President of Tecnifuego, emphasized that “there is nothing more sustainable than preventing a fire and its devastating consequences, many of which impact the environment.” Tortosa concluded his intervention by stressing the need to raise public awareness to prevent human, material, and ecological losses.
Shared responsibility for the risks of electrification
‘Fire Day’ in Zaragoza kicked off with an insightful debate on the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. One of the main conclusions was their growing presence in homes, offices, shops, and industries, which calls for public awareness of the associated dangers and knowledge of how to act, especially in the case of high-capacity batteries, such as those found in electric cars, bicycles, and scooters.
Jon Michelena, General Director of CEPREVEN, underscored the importance of preventing damage or mishandling of these batteries, as the fires they cause are particularly complex due to high temperatures, potential explosions, and the emission of toxic gases. According to Michelena, extinguishing a fire inside a lithium-ion battery cell is “practically impossible,” and containment is the best option to prevent its spread. “It is essential to include specific recommendations in the emergency plans for both residential and industrial buildings,” added the CEPREVEN Director.
Javier Pizarro, Deputy Chief of Intervention for the Zaragoza Fire Department, stressed that “environmental policies must consider user safety” and highlighted the need to integrate containment elements, such as sprinklers, in electric vehicle charging stations. Lluís Marín, Coordinator of Tecnifuego’s Detection Equipment Manufacturers Committee, pointed out that while existing technologies, such as gas detection systems, thermal cameras, and heat or smoke detectors, are effective, “the real issue is the speed of fire development, its intensity, and the difficulty in controlling these fires, which reach extremely high temperatures.” Marín also warned that lithium batteries are becoming increasingly common in various installations, including homes, posing additional challenges in terms of prevention and firefighting. In this context, Luis Sánchez, from Tecnifuego’s Firefighting Equipment Manufacturers Committee, emphasized that the only effective way to control these fires is through cooling, as the high energy density of the batteries makes flames difficult to extinguish with conventional methods. “Ongoing solutions include the use of additives and misted water,” he added.
Regarding regulatory issues, experts agreed on the need for specific regulations. Marín highlighted unresolved issues such as the placement of vehicle charging stations in parking areas and the training of personnel responsible for managing fire incidents in these locations. He also advocated for mandatory fire detection systems in homes and vehicle charging points. Meanwhile, Josep Mª Nogueras, Senior Risk Engineer & Customer Solutions Manager at Zurich Insurance, stated that “everything electric seems very sustainable, but we must highlight the risks of this green transition and ensure the public is aware of these dangers.” Given the lack of regulation, he explained that insurers are developing best practice recommendations based on past incidents and expressed openness to reducing insurance premiums for those who install fire detection systems.
Fire safety in high-rise and high-risk buildings
The second major topic of the day was safety in fire-sensitive buildings—those over 28 meters or with specific uses, such as hospitals or nursing homes. These complex, high-occupancy structures require advanced solutions that combine innovation, prevention, and compliance with stricter regulations, according to experts.
Albert Grau, Director of Tecnifuego’s Passive Protection Committee, raised concerns about the role of facades as “infinite sources of oxygen,” urging the use of non-combustible materials and highlighting that “balconies and the materials stored on them are part of the facade but lack specific fire safety regulations.” Grau noted that Spain lags behind Europe in facade fire safety regulations and warned that “not everything that complies with the regulations is safe.” He called for legislative changes that take building usage into account when regulating fire safety. Grau proposed defining high-rise buildings as those over 18 meters and opting for active smoke protection in stairwells and the installation of protection and alarm systems in these fire-sensitive buildings.
Julia Izquierdo, from the Official College of Surveyors and Technical Architects of Zaragoza, pointed out that many factors must be considered when designing these buildings and criticized the lack of stringent regulations and social awareness as obstacles to finding effective fire prevention solutions. “Designers are left defenceless if the regulations do not require it,” she asserted.
Santos Bendicho, Coordinator of Tecnifuego’s Temperature Control and Smoke Evacuation Systems Committee explained that high-rise and high-risk buildings are particularly vulnerable, as the recommended fire suppression strategies may be compromised. “These buildings must have proper smoke protection, and current regulations fall short,” said Bendicho, who also advocated for mechanical pressurization to ensure a smoke-free environment.
In the same vein, Albert Bartolomé, fire origin and cause research expert from the Official College of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia, emphasized that “compartmentalization is key to preventing smoke or flames from entering residential units,” especially given that modern homes have a higher thermal and energy load. “Time is crucial to minimize fire severity,” he added. Moreover, Rafael Sarasola, Coordinator of Tecnifuego’s Passive Protection Systems Engineering, Installation, and Maintenance Committee, warned that many of these buildings use materials that may be very sustainable in terms of energy efficiency but need to be evaluated for their fire behaviour and reaction. He also emphasized that regulations set minimum standards that are not always sufficient and called for construction projects to respect the initial design and consider the experience of professionals in interpreting the standards.
The rise of photovoltaics: a challenge for fire protection
The proliferation of photovoltaic installations and their associated fire safety challenges were the focus of the final panel discussion. According to Carlos Chicharro, Director of Tecnifuego’s Active Protection Area, installed solar power capacity in Spain grew by 28% in 2023, making it the second-fastest growing renewable energy source in the country. However, these installations present significant challenges, such as difficulty detecting fires and risks related to panel overheating, faulty wiring, and combustible roofs. Chicharro suggested solutions such as “installing the panels on non-combustible roofs and designing systems that don’t interfere with ventilation or smoke evacuation,” while also ensuring easy access for emergency and maintenance services.
Beatriz Martínez del Campo, Head of Engineering Prevention Office at Allianz, stressed that “any modification to a building, such as the addition of solar panels, must be accompanied by a risk reassessment,” and emphasized the need for both regulation and public education, ensuring that people understand that fire is a real risk in photovoltaic installations.
Regarding the risks associated with these systems, Javier Pizarro, Deputy Chief of Intervention at the Zaragoza Fire Department, reminded attendees that they add extra weight and fuel load to buildings. To mitigate risks, he stressed the importance of “mechanical disconnection at the source and arc fault protection, particularly in high-voltage direct current systems.” He also emphasized the need for proper signage, use of inverter technology to detect faults, remote monitoring, and automatic suppression systems for large-scale solar installations. Regina Utrilla, Head of Relations with Control Agencies at Tecnifuego, noted that it is crucial to “limit roof combustibility when installing photovoltaic panels” and take necessary mitigating measures when introducing new risks outside the building, such as solar panels. “Risk assessment for these installations is challenging due to the lack of specific legislation,” added Utrilla.
Felipe Munuera, from the Official College of Architects of Aragón, also acknowledged that regulatory changes are desirable. “The authorities communicate through regulations, and what needs to be done is to update them,” he remarked. He also proposed requiring local governments to conduct risk assessments and enforce compliance, as well as introducing a fire protection rating for buildings, similar to how energy efficiency is currently rated.
This edition of ‘Fire Day’ concluded with great success and was praised for its high level of expertise and strong attendance. The event was supported by the Zaragoza Fire Department and prominent companies and institutions in the sector, including Pefipresa, Viking, Fire Piping, Sodeca, Ebara, Detnov, Rockwool, Implaser, UNE, and AENOR, reinforcing its position as a vital forum for addressing today’s fire protection challenges.
About Tecnifuego
Tecnifuego is the Spanish Association of Fire Protection Companies, representing professionals in the sector across Spain, including manufacturers, installers, maintenance providers, and specialized fire safety service companies. Its main mission is to promote safety for people, property, and the environment, while advancing the economic, technical, and educational development of the industry. It fosters research, disseminates technical documentation, raises awareness about fire protection, and collaborates with government authorities to develop effective and up-to-date regulations.
For further information: www.tecnifuego.org