Fire protection influences almost all disciplines - in the planning, construction and operation of buildings. The earlier fire protection planning is integrated into the project, the easier it is to implement coherent, simple and long-term economical fire protection concepts.
We accompany you from the very beginning and offer you advice and cooperation from the competition to the final acceptance. Our range of services includes feasibility studies, fire protection inspections, fire protection planning in SIA phases 31-53 up to commissioning and preparation of revision documents. If required, this can also be combined with the assumption of the function as QS fire protection. In addition, we support you with status analyses and fire protection consulting in existing buildings.
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Which regulations apply to fire protection planning?
The VKF fire safety regulations apply to both new builds and existing buildings. VKF is the abbreviation for the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers – the federally accredited certification body for persons undergoing fire safety training. The VKF also issues uniform fire safety standards and directives.
The fire safety regulations are currently under revision and will be finalised in 2026. They will address the following relevant aspects, among others:
- Structural fire protection
- Organisational fire protection
- Technical fire protection
The aim of the regulations is to protect people, animals and property from the dangers and effects of fires and explosions, all of which needs to be taken into account when constructing, operating and maintaining buildings and facilities.
At Rapp Ltd, we know that fire protection affects all phases of a building's life cycle. This starts in the planning phase, continues during construction and applies above all throughout the entire operating cycle. We support our customers with our expertise during each of these phases.
Our fire protection planning includes feasibility studies, fire safety inspections and the preparation of audit documents. For existing buildings, we provide status analyses and expert fire safety advice, for example.
What fire protection services does Rapp provide?
Rapp Ltd offers a broad range of comprehensive services in the field of fire protection, looking after both new builds and existing buildings and facilities.
When constructing a new building, it's important to integrate fire protection planning into the project as early as possible as this makes it all the easier to implement effective fire safety concepts. Early implementation is not only simple, but also logical and cost-effective over the long term.
We support new builds with our fire protection planning right from the start, beginning with comprehensive and expert advice. We perform feasibility studies beforehand, for example. We know the VKF fire safety regulations inside out and implement them correctly in our fire protection planning.
The fire safety regulations apply to both new builds and existing buildings, so our services also include an analysis of the current fire safety status that reveals any existing vulnerabilities. In the subsequent fire safety consultation, we suggest ways to eliminate these.
We also conduct fire and flue gas simulations that are used to identify areas of a building that are potentially at particular risk. Taking this as a basis, we then plan the systems that will be used to fight potential fires.
Benefit from our expertise in fire protection planning by contacting us at one of our locations throughout Switzerland.
What is fire simulation?
A fire simulation is an important method used to test a building's fire safety. Needless to say, it doesn't spark an actual fire in the building. Instead, the simulation takes place in a virtual space. Using computers, we create a realistic model of the building, which is then used to identify potential vulnerabilities in the fire protection planning.
We simulate various sources of fire in the building and then analyse the direction in which the flames and flue gases spread. The simulation adheres to the laws of physics and also takes account of the following factors, among others:
- Structure of the building
- Fire load, i.e. the potential amount of heat that can be released in the building
- Openings for supply air and exhaust air
The results of the fire simulation are primarily used to improve fire safety. If we find that smoke is unable to escape, for example, we make provisions for additional extraction openings. Sprinklers and extinguishers are placed in areas where the flames spread particularly quickly.
At Rapp Ltd, we use state-of-the-art technology in our fire protection planning – to ensure that our fire and flue gas simulations deliver highly accurate results. Please contact us by phone or email if you are interested in using our services.
What role does the Fire Safety Officer play in a construction project?
The VKF fire safety regulations stipulate that every building in Switzerland must have a Fire Safety Officer (FSO). If it is a residential building, the owners and residents appoint the FSO. If it is a company building, the management team appoints the FSO and issues them with the authorities and resources they require.
The job of the FSO is to ensure effective quality assurance in all matters relating to fire safety. This happens throughout the entire life cycle of the building.
The FSO has no specific fire protection planning tasks. Instead, it is their job to support the Fire Safety QA Officer. They do this by drawing on their experience of day-to-day operations and through use of the building. They also represent the interests of the owner in matters relating to fire protection planning.
Fire protection is one of the many services offered by Rapp Ltd. We implement fire protection for both new builds and existing buildings, adhering to the mandatory VKF fire safety regulations.
For new builds, we are on board throughout the entire process – from consultation and planning to final acceptance – and implement numerous measures to ensure fire safety. For existing buildings, we analyse every detail and use our findings to implement effective measures.
