On December 2 and 3, 2026, the fire protection industry will gather in Cologne. The VdS-FireSafety Cologne will bring an international trade show and nine high-quality conferences to
Koelnmesse.
Press Release 29/2026
Cologne, 12th November 2026. On December 2 and 3, 2026, the fire protection industry will gather in Cologne. The VdS-FireSafety Cologne will bring an international trade show and nine high-quality conferences to Koelnmesse.
Thanks to the combination of a large trade show, live demonstrations, special exhibition areas, expert forums, and conferences, the VdS-FireSafety Cologne is among the most important industry events for preventive fire protection in Europe.
Industry professionals from Germany and abroad come together here to discover the latest trends and solutions, deepen their expertise, and network. On December 2 and 3, 2026, about 5,500 trade visitors are expected in Cologne.
Approximately 200 exhibitors will showcase the latest fire protection solutions at the international trade show. A diverse program of informational events will be offered to all attendees on the exhibition stage.
Nine VdS conferences featuring high-profile speakers can be booked separately. All conference participants have free access to the exhibition hall and its diverse program on both days, allowing them to optimally combine their visit to the trade show with their conference attendance.
Live Demonstrations of Fire Protection Technology
The VdS-FireSafety Cologne is known, among other things, for the live demonstrations. This year, too, there will be plenty of the latest fire protection technology to see and touch.
New this year are large walk-in containers and fire protection trucks from Honeywell, Brandschutztechnik Müller, Minimax, and Pro-fit by Piping Logistics, featuring elaborate interactive exhibits.
Special Exhibition Area: Structural Fire Protection
On both days of the trade show, the “Forum Structural Fire Protection” including the “Forum by asecos academy” will feature selected expert presentations on current issues in structural fire protection. In the large special exhibition area, various exhibits will make structural fire protection tangible in the truest sense of the word.
Special Sprinkler Area
A large special area is devoted entirely to the topic of sprinklers. It features two major sprinkler demonstrations conducted by Siemens and Fire Protection Solutions. Once again, visitors can participate and, for example, activate sprinklers themselves.
In addition, the VdS laboratory will use a testing rig to demonstrate how sprinklers from older systems are tested.
Professional Program on the Trade Show Stage
For two days, trade show visitors can follow a carefully curated professional program on the stage in the exhibition hall, consisting of the “Future Forum Fire Protection” with presentations on important future topics, the Exhibitor Forum on innovative solutions, and the VdS-FireSafetyTalk—90-minute panel discussions on topics that are shaping the industry.
Both panel discussions will be moderated by VdS Managing Director Peter Schramm. The first is entitled “Trust squandered? Who will raise the alarm when fire detection and fire alarm systems are no longer wanted?”. The second will focus on “Simplifying construction, maintaining safety – how many technical building regulations does fire protection need?”.
The “Future Forum Fire Protection” will also feature an engaging panel discussion entitled “When fire protection gets smart: How safe are connected and AI-assisted systems?” in which experts will discuss the opportunities and challenges of new technologies in fire protection. The discussion will be moderated by VdS Managing Director Dr. Robert Reinermann.
Conversations with the Podcaster
A new feature at this year’s VdS-FireSafety Cologne is the booth run by the podcaster “Brandschutz-Diva.” She demonstrates common mistakes in fire safety and invites trade show attendees to share their own experiences with fire safety. Following the event, she will report on the industry event in a podcast and include sound bites from visitors.
Guided Tours of the Fair
Anyone who would like to get an overview of the innovative exhibits can register for one of the guided tours of the fair free of charge.
On each of the two days of the fair, one of the tours is specifically geared toward students.
VdS Technical Conferences
This year, the technical conference program will be expanded to include two special events: For the first time, the well-established VdS technical conference “Fire Protection in Electrical Systems” will be held as part of the VdS-FireSafety Cologne. Another new development is that Euralarm, the European trade association for the fire protection, fire alarm, and security industries, is organizing an international, English-language symposium on this topic: the “European Fire Detection Forum 2026.”
All expert conferences of the VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2026 at a glance:
- 60th Professional Development Seminar for Fire Protection Officers, 02./03.12.2026
- Fire Extinguishing Systems, 02.12.2026
- Structural Fire Protection, 02.12.2026
- NEW: European Fire Detection Forum 2026. From reaction to prediction – the next paradigm of electronic fire safety (the conference will be held in English), 02.12.2026
- NEW: Fire Protection in Electrical Systems, 02.12.2026
- Impulse conference on hydrant systems, 03.12.2026
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, 03.12.2026
- Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems, 03.12.2026
- Construction and Fire Protection in NRW (compact seminar), 03.12.2026
Conferences must be booked separately. Admission to the trade show is included for all conference participants on both days.
Several of the expert conferences that take place as part of the VdS-FireSafety Cologne can be booked at a reduced combined price.
Detailed information can be found at vds.de/fire-safety.
Caption VdS-BrandSchutzTage_Messe.jpg: The large trade show at the VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2026 brings the latest fire protection technology to life. (Photo: VdS)
Caption VdS-BrandSchutzTage_Talk.jpg: As part of the VdS-FireSafety Cologne on December 2 and 3, 2026, two sessions of the VdS-FireSafetyTalk will take place. (Photo: VdS)
