Digitalisation in modern buildings continues to advance – and with it the need to safely integrate media technology and fire protection and, in particular, to meet the challenges of preventive, device-integrated fire protection. Since 1 September 2023, the introduction of VdS 6024 has marked significant progress in the standardisation of fire protection for electrical devices in sensitive building areas.
The publication of VdS 6024 provides fire protection planners and building authorities with a standardised basis for checking the installation and use of media technology in sensitive areas for the first time. Tenders can now be formulated in a more targeted manner and offers can be professionally reviewed. The highest building authorities can link their building authorisation to compliance with the measures in the VdS information sheet. Compliance ensures greater transparency in the planning and construction process and increases safety for all people in public buildings.
This development not only makes the integration of media technology and fire protection in sensitive building areas possible, but also safer – paving the way for greater digitalisation in public and private facilities.
JOB GmbH’s E-Bulbs are among the technologically innovative and established solutions that are already widely used in critical building areas. This technology, known as the ‘smallest fire extinguisher in the world’, recognises and combats fires or overheating directly in the device long before the fire can spread.
The E-Bulbs burst at a defined temperature, release the extinguishing agent and also interrupt the power supply, preventing the fire from spreading further.
The practical application of VdS 6024 can be illustrated by the example of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). After initial challenges with fire protection, BER is now setting standards when it comes to meeting the highest safety requirements.
Digital installations, displays and information columns at the capital’s airport are consistently equipped with device-integrated fire protection components. This makes BER a pioneer in the use of state-of-the-art fire protection technologies. You can find out more details about this success story in our brief & compact project report. In the project overview you will also find products that have been used to realise projects similar to BER.
In the following database you will find an overview of media technology and other electrical devices with integrated fire protection, updated quarterly, as well as information on which manufacturers have tested their products in accordance with VdS 6024.
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Markus Fiebig
The new information sheet “Fire Protection of Electrical Devices in Sensitive Areas,” issued by VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH and developed by an interdisciplinary working group, represents a nationally uniform standard. VdS 6024 regulates the safe use of media technology in building areas with high safety requirements, such as escape and rescue routes.
These areas, as well as entryways, foyers, and corridors, are particularly critical since they must remain quickly accessible and passable in case of fire. Technical defects in digital signage and other devices can lead to heavy smoke development, which can severely impair the use of affected escape routes – not to mention the significant risks to personal safety and property.
What is needed are innovative and intelligent fire protection solutions that fight the incipient fire right at the source—long before fires can spread further in the building and cause more severe consequences.
Several aspects played an important role in the development of VdS 6024:
Digital information boards, advertising displays, and a wide range of other electrical devices have become indispensable in public spaces.
This is where VdS 6024 comes in:
Not only does VdS 6024 itself mark a milestone – the path of its creation is equally remarkable. Under the leadership of VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH, an institution of the German insurers, companies from a wide variety of sectors participated in a joint working group (ARGE). Over the course of several months, this interdisciplinary collaboration led to the creation of the information sheet.
Participants included:
This enabled a very valuable exchange of experience and ensured a high level of practical relevance.
VdS 6024 is a guideline that standardizes and ensures fire protection for electrical devices in sensitive building areas.
The information sheet was published on September 1, 2023, and has been in effect since then.
VdS 6024 was developed to improve safety in buildings through device-integrated fire protection, particularly in areas with high safety requirements such as escape and rescue routes.
Sensitive areas include escape and rescue routes, entryways, foyers, and corridors, which must remain quickly accessible and passable in case of a fire.
VdS 6024 applies to media technology such as digital signage systems, vending machines, ticket printers, touchscreens, charging stations, copiers, and other electrical devices in the mentioned building areas.
The E-Bulb is a device-integrated system known as the “smallest fire extinguisher in the world.” It releases the extinguishing agent at a defined temperature and cuts off the power supply to prevent the spread of a fire.
VdS 6024 increases planning reliability and clarity regarding fire protection in sensitive building areas. It aims to effectively and early detect and stop the development and spread of fires in electrical devices.
VdS 6024 facilitates the safe integration of media technology, leading to more precise tenders and professional inspections.
Building authorities can link building approvals to compliance with the measures outlined in the VdS information sheet, thereby ensuring the safety of public buildings.
VdS 6024 ensures greater transparency, safety, and efficiency in the planning and construction process by establishing uniform standards for fire protection.
An example of practical implementation is Berlin Brandenburg Airport, where digital installations are equipped with device-integrated fire protection components.
