VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 in Cologne, Germany

VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 – more than just an exhibition, it is the premier two-day meeting point for the entire preventive fire protection industry in Europe.

Every year in early December, the halls of Koelnmesse welcome equipment manufacturers, engineering companies, risk experts, insurance market representatives, designers, and building operation services.

This year VdS-FireSafety Cologne will take place at Cologne Exhibition Centre, Hall 10.2, in the Congress Center East/Koelncongress area in Cologne, Germany.

The venue is chosen deliberately: Koelnmesse is one of Europe’s largest exhibition complexes, conveniently located in the Deutz district right next to Köln Messe/Deutz train station, making the journey as simple as possible for international visitors.

Video about VdS-FireSafety / VdS-BrandSchutzTage

To get a feel for the atmosphere before your trip, simply watch the official and partner videos from previous VdS-BrandSchutzTage at Koelnmesse.

Who should attend VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025

If your work is related to fire safety, VdS-FireSafety will keep you busy for the full two days.

• Heads of fire safety and occupational health departments at industrial and commercial facilities.
• Design engineers of fire suppression, fire alarm, smoke extraction, and fire automation systems.
• Developers and managers of shopping centres, warehouse and logistics complexes, data centres, and high-rise buildings.
• Security system integrators, installation companies, and service organisations.
• Representatives of insurance companies and corporate risk managers.
• Experts from supervisory authorities, fire inspection services, and municipal structures.
• Manufacturers of fire-fighting equipment, components, and software.
• Students of specialised universities and professionals planning a career in fire safety.

For a professional, attending VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 is not just a tour of stands – it is an opportunity to obtain in two days a concentrated dose of practical solutions that usually take months to find.

History and development of VdS-FireSafety Cologne

The VdS-FireSafety format in Cologne has been held since 2012 and has quickly become one of the key European events for preventive fire protection.

By 2014 the event was already attracting over 1,600 participants, and by the mid-2010s it had firmly established itself in the industry calendar as the “must-visit” December event – always in the Rhineland, always in Cologne.

In 2023 VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 set a new record: more than 4,400 professional visitors from 20 countries and around 150 exhibitors. Live demonstrations, a packed conference programme, and full halls confirm the event’s status as an international industry hub.

Each year the format grows: new specialist forums are added, innovation receives greater focus (AI, energy transition, lithium-ion batteries), and VdS experts set the agenda that the entire industry then follows.

Key figures and benefits of VdS-FireSafety Cologne

The main reason to participate is the concentration of professionals and solutions in one place.

• Over 150 exhibitors in typical years of VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025.
• Record-breaking more than 4,600 visitors from around 20 countries in peak years.
• Around 180 exhibitors registered for VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025, with numerous live demonstrations.
• 7 specialised VdS conferences running parallel to the exhibition, with preferential conditions for exhibitors.
• The only fire safety exhibition in Europe that systematically combines an international trade show with a full block of specialist conferences and forums on a single site.

For exhibitors this means a dense flow of targeted visitors; for attendees it means the chance to see the entire range of solutions – from structural fire protection materials to digital risk-monitoring platforms.

Venue: nozzle Koelnmesse and the event atmosphere

VdS-FireSafety takes place at Koelnmesse – a modern exhibition complex on the banks of the Rhine. This year the event will be held in Hall 10.2 and the Congress Center East area.

Spacious halls accommodate classic stands, areas for large equipment, test rigs for sprinkler and deluge systems, as well as comfortable networking and meeting zones.

The atmosphere is strictly professional yet very lively: working mock-ups, the smell of metal and fresh paint from newly assembled units, the noise of live demonstrations, expert panels on the open stage – everything creates the feeling that the industry is moving forward right before your eyes.

Six well-known companies participating in VdS-FireSafety

VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 traditionally attracts the market’s key players. Below are just a few examples of renowned companies participating in the current or upcoming edition.

• Bosch Sicherheitssysteme GmbH (Bosch Building Solutions) Bosch regularly exhibits at VdS-FireSafety Cologne, showcasing early fire detection solutions, integrated alarm systems, and comprehensive building safety. Visitors can see how detection, video analytics, and evacuation management are combined into a single architecture that is convenient for integrators and facility operators.
• Siemens Siemens presents not only products but also spectacular live demonstrations: in the special “sprinkler zone” real-time tests of sprinkler installations and video fire detection are conducted. This rare opportunity allows visitors to look “inside” a large-scale system and ask questions directly to the engineers who develop and test it.
• Victaulic Victaulic participates with its own demonstration area where daily practical shows take place – from pipe roll grooving to quick-connect couplings and flexible fire suppression solutions. For installation companies this is a chance to literally “touch” systems that are later installed across Europe.
• Danfoss At one of the recent VdS-FireSafety events Danfoss demonstrated a high-pressure sprinkler system in action, highlighting water savings and extinguishing efficiency advantages. Such live demonstrations let customers see the difference between conventional and high-pressure systems in a real experiment, not just in a brochure.
• AP Sensing GmbH AP Sensing, listed among VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 exhibitors, specialises in fibre-optic linear fire and overheating detection systems. Their stand usually shows how a single optical cable can monitor kilometres of tunnels, cable routes, or industrial lines while integrating with management and SCADA systems.
• Chubb Deutschland GmbH Chubb, present on the exhibitor list, is known globally as a provider of comprehensive fire safety and facility protection solutions. At VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 the company focuses on integrated projects – from system design to maintenance, which is especially valuable for large clients and property managers.

In addition to these brands, the exhibitor list includes dozens of manufacturers of sprinkler systems, fire-resistant materials, software platforms, and training centres – from niche players to world-famous corporations.

Format: exhibition, conferences and forums at VdS-FireSafety

The uniqueness of VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 lies in being both an international trade fair and a set of highly specialised conferences and forums.

• International exhibition on preventive fire protection with live demonstrations, test rigs and mock-ups.
• Six to seven VdS conferences covering topics from fire suppression systems to hydrant networks and smoke extraction.
• Future Forum Fire Protection – a platform for discussing trends: AI in fire safety, sustainable construction, lithium-ion batteries, and “green” solutions.
• VdS-FireSafetyTalk – a series of 90-minute panel discussions with leading experts on the hottest industry topics.
• Exhibitor Forum – an open stage in the exhibition hall where manufacturers present technologies and novelties in short, focused talks.
• Forum on structural fire protection (including participation of asecos academy) – lots of practice, samples and visual solutions.
• Meeting point Training & Career and Job Board – a meeting place between companies and specialists, plus a showcase of current industry vacancies.

For conference participants, access to the exhibition and forums is usually included in the ticket price, making the trip extremely efficient: you combine training, networking, and technology scouting in a single business trip.

Product and service categories at VdS-FireSafety Cologne

VdS-FireSafety exhibitors present virtually the full spectrum of fire protection and related security solutions.

• Fire suppression systems: sprinkler, deluge, water mist, gas, and combined installations.
• Fire alarm and early fire detection systems, including aspirating and linear heat detectors.
• Smoke extraction and fire ventilation systems, solutions for smoke and heat vents, controlled dampers and shafts.
• Fire-resistant materials and structural fire protection solutions: coatings, panels, protection of steel structures and penetrations.
• Lightning protection, surge protection, and earthing systems as part of comprehensive facility protection.
• Alarm and evacuation management systems, integrated with overall building security systems.
• IT and software solutions: monitoring platforms, control centres, risk management, and digital twins of facilities.
• Security and guarding solutions integrated with fire systems.
• Training centres, consulting firms, certification and inspection bodies.

Thanks to this breadth of topics, VdS-FireSafety is an ideal platform for comprehensive selection of contractors and technologies for one or several projects at once.

Tips and “life hacks” for VdS-FireSafety visitors

To get the most out of your visit to Koelnmesse, it pays to plan your route and schedule in advance.

• Join the themed guided tours of the exhibition. Some tours are created by students from Hochschule Furtwangen – they design routes focusing on the most spectacular live demonstrations. Prizes are often raffled among participants at the end, making it both useful and enjoyable.
• Visit the Future Forum and VdS-FireSafetyTalk. Morning and afternoon sessions let you understand in just a few hours where the industry is heading: more focus on timber construction, changing requirements for lithium-ion batteries, the role of AI in risk analysis.
• Schedule meetings in advance. The exhibitor list is published early on the VdS-FireSafety Cologne website; mark key suppliers and request meeting slots ahead of time. During the event, top players’ schedules are usually fully booked from morning to evening.
• Take advantage of Deutsche Bahn’s special event ticket. Participants receive a discounted “event ticket” for long-distance trains, powered 100% by green electricity – convenient and eco-friendly.
• Don’t miss the evening networking events. An evening reception with buffet and entertainment programme is held in the Kristallsaal for exhibitors and conference attendees – perfect for informal conversations with potential partners.
• Stop by the Training & Career zone and Job Board. Even if you’re not currently job-hunting, you can see which competencies are most in demand and align your team’s development with real market needs.

Inside Koelnmesse there are cafés and rest areas, and exhibitors receive food and drinks throughout the exhibition days – so you can comfortably spend the whole day on site without having to leave the complex.

How to exhibit at VdS-FireSafety Cologne

If you are considering VdS-FireSafety as a platform to promote your solutions, the participation process is straightforward and transparent.

• Registration is done via the official VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025 website.
• The minimum basic format is a standard 9 m² stand with a ready-made “rental stand” package.
• The package typically includes space rental, basic build-up, marketing fee, service fee, some promotional options, and several exhibitor badges.
• Additional options include participation in guided tours, live demonstrations, and presentations at the Exhibitor Forum.
• Exhibitors gain the right to post vacancies on the Job Board and access extended networking opportunities.

Companies wishing to stand out should invest in a custom exhibition stand – with clear zoning, negotiation areas, and demonstration zones for real equipment tests.

If you don’t have your own contractor, the best solution is to entrust design and construction to a specialised company. For example, ESBAU – professional exhibition stand builder in Europe can handle the full cycle: from concept and 3D design to installation at Koelnmesse and subsequent dismantling.

Another option is turnkey exhibition stand rental from ESBAU tailored to your needs: you choose configuration and size, and the team prepares a design in your corporate style, quickly coordinates it with Koelnmesse, and delivers a ready stand directly to VdS-FireSafety Cologne 2025.

This approach frees your marketing and technical teams, allowing them to focus on what matters most – working with clients and partners at the stand.

Why choose VdS-FireSafety Cologne

Compared to other fire safety exhibitions and conferences, VdS-FireSafety stands out with several key advantages.

• Strong VdS brand as an independent expert and certification body – a guarantee of high-quality content.
• Combination of exhibition, conferences, and forums in one location saves time and travel budget.
• Practical focus: numerous live demonstrations, tests, and real-world case studies, not just catalogues on stands.
• High concentration of specialists: engineers, consultants, manufacturers, insurers, and authorities all speaking the same language – the language of risk and safety.
• Convenient logistics: Koelnmesse is easily reachable by train or plane, and Cologne offers extensive accommodation and evening networking options.

If you want not just to “show up” at an industry event but to genuinely strengthen your position in the European fire safety market, participating in or visiting VdS-FireSafety Cologne is one of the most rational steps you can take.