Revision of the fire protection regulations: What's next?
Immediately after the devastating fire in Crans-Montana, fire safety became the focus of public interest. This also has an impact on the ongoing project for the revision of fire safety regulations. We asked about it.
The consultation on the new fire protection regulations 2026 (BSV 2026 for short) had been running since fall 2025. The consultation was about to be concluded at the beginning of 2026. However, the catastrophe on New Year's Eve in Crans-Montana could mean that some changes need to be reconsidered. The consultation was duly concluded at the beginning of January. What happens now? We spoke to Michael Binz, Head of the Fire Protection Division at the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF).
The «Fire safety regulations 2026» project was put on hold at the beginning of January. What are the next steps?
Following the very serious fire in Crans-Montana, the Intercantonal Body for Technical Barriers to Trade (IOTH), which is responsible for fire safety regulations, among other things, has deliberately halted its liberalization efforts. The next steps consist of carefully evaluating the approximately 11,000 responses received from the technical consultation process and incorporating the preliminary findings from the ongoing investigations into the fire in Crans-Montana. On this basis, the total revision will be further developed with the aim of bringing the totally revised fire protection regulations into force, probably by fall 2027.
What are the effects of this march stop on the work already done?
The work carried out to date remains fully valid. The feedback from the consultation process basically confirms the chosen direction of the risk-based approach and uniform enforcement. The march stop allows this work to be specified more precisely, open questions to be clarified and safety-relevant aspects to be considered in greater depth. It is therefore a qualitative further development.
The BSV 2026 also provides for liberalization and deregulation. In which areas are the changes most significant compared to the current fire safety regulations?
The biggest changes in the draft are the freedom to choose between three verification procedures and the consistently risk-based approach. This would make it easier and more flexible where there are demonstrably low risks. At the same time, it requires more targeted measures where risks are increased and the measures are proportionate. Strong individual responsibility is envisaged, particularly for utilization concepts, operational measures and enforcement, embedded in clearly defined safety objectives. Existing responsibilities would be defined more clearly and transparently. A detailed description of the planned changes can be found in the explanatory report on the consultation process.
Pending further consultation steps and the prospect of the BSV 2026 coming into force: What recommendations can you currently make to safety officers in companies?
Safety officers are recommended to continue working consistently in accordance with the applicable fire safety regulations and to implement them in full. At the same time, it is worth familiarizing yourself with risk-based thinking at an early stage, systematically analysing internal fire risks and strengthening organizational measures. A well-documented and practiced fire protection and emergency concept remains central, regardless of when it comes into force.
In view of the disaster in Crans-Montana, how important should fire protection be in a company's risk management in general?
Fire protection is a central element of corporate risk management. Fires endanger human lives, interrupt business processes and can cause damage that threatens a company's existence. Regardless of the industry, fire protection must be seen as an integral part of corporate management - on a par with occupational safety, IT security or financial risks.
What criteria should currently be used to carry out a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment should be based on usage, density of people, fire loads, ignition sources, structural conditions and organizational and technical protective measures. The interaction of these factors is crucial: Where risks are higher, measures are increased accordingly. This way of thinking already corresponds to the basic logic of fire protection regulations.
On the construction side: Which points should be checked regularly under your own responsibility?
In particular, escape and rescue routes, fire compartments, penetration seals, the condition of fire doors, the effectiveness of fire detection and extinguishing systems and compliance with the intended use must be checked regularly. It is equally important to ensure that structural changes or conversions do not unintentionally impair fire protection.
New fire safety regulations: likely to be introduced in fall 2027
Recently, the executive committee of the Intercantonal Body on Technical Barriers to Trade IOTH (Concordat of Building Directors of all 26 cantons) also discussed how to proceed with the BSV 2026. In addition to the preliminary findings from the disaster in Crans-Montana, around 11,000 responses were received as part of the technical consultation process. The IOTH Steering Committee has set itself the goal of bringing the future fire safety regulations into force by fall 2027. It will also propose to the IOTH Plenary Assembly on March 6, 2026 that a nationwide ban on the setting off of pyrotechnics in publicly accessible areas be introduced as an immediate measure. This does not apply to the categories of fireworks that already require a permit.
