On 17^th September, ZAG welcomed a delegation from the IBS Linz Fire Laboratory for a two-day visit that marked a significant step forward in the collaboration between the two institutions.

The visit opened at ZAG headquarters in Ljubljana, where the delegation was received by Dr Aleš Jug (Head of the Department for Fire-Safe Sustainable Built Environment - FRISSBE), Dr Urša Blumauer (Head of the Fire Laboratory and Fire Engineering Unit), and Dr Andrea Lucherini (Head of the Fire Research and Innovation Unit). The programme then moved to an official reception with the Director of ZAG, Dr Aleš Žnidarič. A key milestone of the first day was the handover and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions, formalising the relationship and providing a framework for future joint activities.

The ZAG headquarters visit also included presentations of two of the institute's broader research capabilities. Dr Meta Kržan (Head of the Section for Buildings and Earthquake Engineering) presented the earthquake testing facility, and Dr Alenka Mauko (head of the Department of Materials) introduced the institute's microtomography equipment and its applications in materials research, offering the IBS delegation a wider perspective on ZAG's interdisciplinary infrastructure.

The delegation then transferred to the ZAG Fire Laboratory in Logatec, where the technical programme for the visit continued. Dr Urša Blumauer and Aleksander Bergant led a comprehensive session on the laboratory's fire testing activities and capabilities, covering reaction-to-fire testing, fire-resistance testing, current working methods, and the full scope of the laboratory's facilities. This was followed by a guided tour of the laboratory, taking in the fire-resistance and reaction-to-fire testing areas, large-scale and research testing facilities, extraction and measurement systems, and the overall organisation and working methods of the laboratory.

The last part of the day centred on an interactive research panel exploring current challenges and opportunities for IBS-ZAG cooperation. Dr Laetitia Marrot, Dr Ulises Rojas-Alva, Dr Andrea Jurov, and Dr Andrea Lucherini each delivered presentations covering five thematic areas of shared interest: fire safety of PV systems and fire behaviour, lithium-ion batteries, e-mobility and battery energy storage systems, timber construction, and reuse and circularity in the built environment. The panel concluded with a technical discussion that identified common interests and potential follow-up activities, including opportunities for joint testing, collaborative research, and participation in European projects.

The visit represents a productive and well-structured start to a formal collaboration between ZAG and IBS Linz, two fire laboratories with complementary expertise and a shared commitment to advancing fire safety research in the built environment. FRISSBE looks forward to the joint activities that will follow from this exchange.