José Miguel Vidueira_CEPREVEN: Maintaining fire protection systems is critical

What are the key considerations in fire protection systems?

All fire protection systems rest on three fundamental pillars: correct design, proper installation, and effective maintenance. In the design phase, both mandatory and voluntary standards exist to help define the most appropriate protection strategy, depending on the type of risk involved. However, the constant emergence of new operational models, manufacturing processes, storage technologies and construction techniques means that not all current standards always provide an optimal level of protection.

Installation should be carried out by qualified professionals who understand the specific requirements of the system and use approved, compatible components. Installers must not only implement the system in line with the applicable standard but also assess whether the design aligns with both the standard and the actual risk. When necessary, they must be capable of making adjustments that were not originally foreseen.

Finally, systems must maintain their performance over time, this is where maintenance becomes crucial. Fire protection systems are typically dormant until a fire occurs, meaning any faults or failures may go unnoticed until the moment they are needed most. Therefore, regular and professional maintenance is essential to ensure both operational readiness and suitability for the specific risks being protected.

Which sectors or industries require particular focus and training in this area?

This is a broad question and can be approached from several perspectives. First, there are critical infrastructures, where any disruption due to a fire can have serious social and economic consequences. Then there are high-risk industries, such as chemical processing or petroleum refining, where the potential damage from fire or explosion is severe, and where the protective solutions are typically complex and require specialised design and implementation. Finally, it’s important to remember that even less complex environments, such as those involving large public occupancy, still require professional, effective fire protection tailored to their specific needs.

How have fire prevention techniques and procedures evolved over time?

Much of what we know today about fire protection has been gained through practical experience. Each time a fire occurs; it is an opportunity to analyse the cause: Why did it happen? What chain of events led to it? Why were the extinguishing systems effective, or ineffective? These real-world case studies allow us to draw valuable conclusions and improve preventive strategies accordingly. That said, the pace of technological and industrial change also introduces new and unfamiliar risks—what we refer to as "emerging risks", for which we have little experience. In such cases, full-scale testing and simulation become essential to identify the most effective protective measures.

How important is it to share information and collaborate with other organisations in improving fire prevention?

In today’s changing, interconnected world, cooperation among organisations working in fire safety is not just beneficial, it is vital. Emerging risks, such as fires involving lithium-ion batteries, the fire behaviour of green façades, new high-density storage systems, or rooftop photovoltaic installations, are already being studied and tested by both public and private entities. Collaboration and information sharing are the most effective ways to develop robust, reliable protection strategies in the shortest time possible.