An international trade fair, hands-on fire protection technology, an extensive stage program, plenty of space for networking, and nine separately bookable conferences: At VdS Fire Safety
Cologne on December 2 and 3, 2026, Koelnmesse will once again become the hub of the fire protection industry.
Press Release 13/2026
Cologne, June 2026. The VdS-FireSafety Cologne is among the largest industry gatherings in Europe for preventive structural and organisational fire protection and fire protection systems. It offers an exciting mix of a large international trade fair, live demonstrations, expert forums, and the VdS-FireSafetyTalk on the exhibition stage, as well as nine VdS expert conferences that can be booked separately. In addition, they provide ample opportunity for networking and the exchange of experiences.
The extensive program attracts a large international audience of industry professionals to Cologne every year. On December 2 and 3, 2026, approximately 5,500 trade visitors are expected to attend to learn about the latest solutions and developments in preventive fire protection.
Guided trade show tours
Guided tours of the trade show allow visitors to get a good overview of interesting innovations. Students from Furtwangen University will once again develop a concept for the tours, including special tours for students. The idea is to get young people excited about fire safety and the wide range of careers it offers. For years, this program has been particularly well-received by vocational school students.
Special areas
A large special exhibition area dedicated to structural fire protection will be part of the trade show for the second time in 2026. Here, exhibitors will present various exhibits and live demonstrations that bring applications in structural fire protection to life. In addition, the Forum Structural Fire Protection by asecos academy will offer a high-quality program with selected neutral specialist presentations that impart practical knowledge on the topic.
The large sprinkler area will once again feature impressive live demonstrations of sprinkler systems in action.
VdS expert conferences
Nine high-profile conferences, taking place in the adjacent halls, can be booked separately. All conference attendees have free access to the adjacent exhibition hall and its diverse program of events.
For the first time, the popular VdS conference “Brandschutz in elektrischen Anlagen" (Fire Protection in Electrical Systems) is part of the VdS FireSafety Cologne.
Another new development is that Euralarm, the European trade association for the fire protection, fire detection, and security industries, is holding its symposium as part of this event.
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
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.
VdS-BrandSchutzTage_Messehalle.jpg, Caption: VdS-FireSafety Cologne on December 2–3, 2026: The major international trade fair features a wealth of innovative technology and new insights. (Image: VdS)
VdS-Brandschutztechnik.jpg, Caption: Here you can experience innovation firsthand: The many live demonstrations of fire protection technology are an important part of the VdS-FireSafety Cologne. (Image: VdS)
