Last week, an international scientific workshop in the FRISSBE project with focus on the aspect of sustainability in fire research took place in the new Fire Laboratory of the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG) in Logatec. The event was attended by renowned experts from 8 countries, who, as representatives of various educational and research organizations, also contributed with their knowledge and experience.

The workshop took place over two days, and the programme covered the following main topics:

1. HOW CAN WE FACILITATE AND ENSURE FIRE SAFETY IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS?
2. WHERE DOES FIRE SAFETY BELONG IN THE EU GREEN DEAL AND UN GOALS AND IN SUSTAINABILITY IN GENERAL?
3. CAN TIMBER BUILDINGS ENSURE A SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT?

Within each topic, several inspiring lectures highlighted sustainability goals and fire safety objectives, the definition of which is crucial for modern construction. Qualitative and concise content, together with important emphases and interdisciplinary comparisons, offered excellent starting points for fruitful discussions. These followed each main topic and summed it up with concluding thoughts. Discussions were led by José Torero, Professor & Head of Department of Civil, Environmental, Geomatic & Environmental Engineering at University College London, Grunde Jomaas, ERA Chair holder of the EU project FRISSBE at ZAG & Professor at FAMNIT at University of Primorska, and Friderik Knez, Head of the Department of Building Physics and Head of the Fire Laboratory and Fire Engineering at ZAG.

In addition to ZAG’s employees, the workshop was attended by other Slovenian experts from the Slovenian Fire Protection Association (SZPV), the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering (FGG), the University of Ljubljana (UL) and InnoRenew CoE. More than 40 participants participated and visited the new facility. The latter is, with its floor area of ​​3,500 square meters, the largest fire research laboratory in this part of Europe and waiting for the official opening in early September. The workshop, which created various new opportunities and thus gave new impetus to further research, was the first event for both, the laboratory and the FRISSBE project.

ZAG has recently established a new Department for Research of Fire-Safe and Sustainable Built Environment, which derives from the eponymous project within the EU research and innovation programme Horizon 2020 - FRISSBE (Fire Safe and Sustainable Built Environment). The department currently employs 3 international scientists, and its purpose is to create and support a strong research and development centre in the field of fire safety and sustainably built environment in Southern and Central Europe. More information can be found on the websites www.frissbe.eu/ and www.zag.si/en/.

Key words: fire laboratory, FRISSBE, fire safety, fire-safe sustainable construction, fire-resistant materials, fire research, research excellence.

Text: Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute

Photos: Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Christian Fundby Schou