Living zones standard

 The new VdS Guidelines 2896 establish a new standard for the planning and installation of fire protection technology especially in living zones.

The probability for German residents of nursing homes to die in a fire is five times higher than that of the total population – this has been confirmed by studies of the University Magdeburg-Stendal. The high death toll due to fires in living zones and hang-out areas started a discussion about supplementary protection measures with fire protection technology. 

VdS, Europe's No. 1 in fire protection, has now published guidelines especially for the protection of residential occupancies (VdS 2896). They present precise requirements for the planning and installation of fire detection and fire alarm systems as well as extinguishing systems, especially in nursing homes, hotels, halls of residence and schools

Claas Baier, head of the VdS Inspection services, said: "Thanks to the practically oriented support delivered by the VdS 2896, those in charge can ensure that fires in living zones and hang-out areas are detected immediately, that the persons at risk as well as the providers of assistance are alerted, and that fires can be fought right from the beginning."