The Safety Expo in Bergamo is Italy’s largest event dedicated to fire safety and prevention. Held every two years, it brings together thousands of professionals to discuss new research, technologies and regulations. This year edition, on 17^th–18^th September, welcomed around 6,000 attendees, hosted 90 events, featured 135 speakers and 160 exhibitors across 10,000 m² of exhibition space.

On 18^th September, Dr Andrea Lucherini of ZAG’s FRISSBE department joined the seminar “Fire Risk and Prevention: Insulation Solutions for Safer Buildings”, organised with ROCKWOOL Italia and co-organised by the Order of Industrial Technicians and Graduate Industrial Technicians of the Province of Bergamo, the Order of Engineers of the Province of Bergamo, the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators of the Province of Bergamo, and the College of Surveyors and Graduate Surveyors – Bergamo.

The seminar aimed to address fire risk in the civil context, providing design information with reference to the fire safety of the entire building envelope. Through the analysis of relevant technical standards and case studies, a comprehensive overview of ROCKWOOL stone wool building technologies and compliant solutions was provided specifically for flat roofs with photovoltaic systems, for façade systems and HVAC insulation, to improve the fire safety of buildings, as well as to optimise energy and acoustic aspects

In his talk, “Guidelines for the Fire Safety of Photovoltaic Systems on Flat Roofs”, Dr Lucherini:

• Examined the increased fire risk posed by photovoltaic (PV) installations on flat roofs.
• Reviewed recent fire incidents involving PV systems.
• Presented the ZAG’s new Fire Safety Guideline for Building-Applied Photovoltaic Systems on Flat Roofs, now available in Italian.
• Highlighted research and testing carried out within the FRISSBE department.

After Dr Lucherini, other experts gave presentations in the seminar:

• Chiara Pesando, Technical Development and Support Manager from ROCKWOOL Italia, presented the current Italian regulations on the fire safety of PV systems and solutions offered by ROCKWOOL.
• Samuele Sassi, Technical Leader of FSC ENGINEERING SRL Fire & Structure Consulting, discussed the fire safety performance and requirements of typical Italian façades systems, including ETICS and ventilated façades.
• Mauro Tricotti, Project Sales Manager Italy from ROCKWOOL Italia, presented the current Italian regulations on the fire safety of façades and solutions offered by ROCKWOOL.

Dr Lucherini’s contribution underlined the importance of integrating fire safety into the design of renewable-energy systems, ensuring that Europe’s push for sustainable buildings does not compromise protection.

More on the Safety Expo programme is available at safetyexpo.it.