What do I need to consider regarding fire safety and building security during renovations?

The pillars of security: Structural, technical, organizational

The loss of grandfathering rights

The most important principle first: Existing buildings are protected by grandfathering provisions. You don't have to proactively adapt them to new regulations as long as you do nothing. However, as soon as you start making changes, the situation changes. If you're planning major renovations, you must ensure fire safety . The authorities require proportionality . If you're only retiling the bathroom, you don't have to completely renovate the house. But if you're converting the attic, you absolutely must renovate to meet fire safety standards . This means checking escape routes, removing flammable materials, and updating the electrical system. Anyone attempting to circumvent this obligation is acting negligently. To ensure truly fire-safe renovations , you should consult a fire safety expert or the local fire department early on.

Escape routes: The way to freedom

In case of fire, seconds count. In older houses, stairwells are often narrow and paneled with wood. If you want to renovate to be fire-safe , escape routes are absolutely crucial.

• Width: Doors and corridors must have a minimum width (usually 90 cm in new buildings, often with tolerance in existing buildings) so that rescuers with equipment can get through.
• Material: A wooden stairwell acts like a fireplace. To renovate in a fire-safe manner , you often have to remove flammable paneling or encapsulate it with non-combustible boards (plasterboard).
• Doors: In multi-family buildings, the apartment door leading to the stairwell must be fire-resistant (EI30). An old wooden door won't withstand a fire for even 5 minutes. Anyone who cuts corners here and refuses to renovate to meet fire safety standards is endangering all residents.

Insulation and facade: The danger from outside

Energy-efficient renovations are popular, but they also carry risks. Anyone insulating their facade must ensure that the renovation is fire-safe . Cheap polystyrene (Styrofoam) insulation can become a fire accelerant if installed incorrectly. For sustainable and fire-safe renovations , experts often recommend mineral wool. It is non-combustible. Especially for buildings above a certain height or where boundary distances are tight, the VKF standards prescribe non-combustible materials. If you want to renovate with fire safety in mind , make sure that so-called fire barriers are installed during the insulation process. These prevent a facade fire from spreading rapidly upwards.

Fire compartments: Containing the fire

A modern, open-plan living concept is stylish, but it presents a fire safety challenge. In the past, kitchens, living rooms, and hallways were separated – this slowed the spread of fire. If you remove walls, you have to compensate to ensure fire safety during renovations . Separating living units is particularly important. The ceiling between the ground floor and first floor, or the wall shared with a neighbor, must withstand a fire for 30 to 60 minutes. This is often not the case in older wooden houses. Anyone wanting to renovate in a fire-safe manner must reinforce ceilings or install special fire-resistant panels. The boiler room also constitutes a separate fire compartment. A simple wooden door to the boiler room is unacceptable if you want to renovate in a fire-safe manner . A certified fire door is required.

Building services and electrical systems: The most common cause of fires

Statistically, most fires are caused by faulty electrical wiring or appliances. In older houses, the wiring is often brittle and not designed for modern loads (induction cooktops, heat pumps, electric cars). If you want to renovate to ensure fire safety , a complete electrical inspection is mandatory.

• Cables: Old fabric-covered cables must be removed.
• current circuit breakers ( RCCBs): These are standard today and save lives.
• Photovoltaics: A solar power system on the roof changes the risk class. To be able to carry out fire-safe renovations , cable ducts must be fire-resistant and the inverter must be securely positioned.

An often overlooked aspect of fire safety renovations : smoke detectors. While not yet mandatory in all private homes in Switzerland, they are the cheapest form of life insurance. Integrate them firmly into your plan when planning fire safety renovations .

Asbestos and pollutants

Safety also means protecting your health. Anyone renovating a house built between 1950 and 1990 will often encounter asbestos. It's fire-resistant – which is why it was used – but carcinogenic when handled. Before you tear down walls to renovate for fire safety , you must have an asbestos inspection carried out. Removing asbestos-containing fireproofing panels without protective measures endangers the health of everyone present. Truly fire-safe renovations This also means disposing of old waste properly.

Conclusion

The question "What do I need to consider?" leads to a clear answer: Fire safety is not a necessary evil, but the foundation of your planning. Anyone who tries to cut corners on safety will end up paying twice – either through costly repairs or, in the worst case, with their health.

Renovating to meet fire safety standards requires expertise. Don't rely on gut feeling. Involve architects and fire safety experts early on. Use non-combustible insulation materials, install safe electrical systems, and ensure clear escape routes. A house renovated according to these criteria is not only safer but also retains its value better. Those who consistently choose to renovate to meet fire safety standards are investing in the future.

If you need support in checking compliance with safety regulations or would like an analysis of your property, Loft offers professional advice and planning tools for this purpose.

Glossary

• Fire safety renovation: The process of taking all structural and technical measures during a renovation to prevent the outbreak and spread of fire and to secure escape routes.
• VKF (Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers): The institution in Switzerland that issues the binding fire safety regulations. It defines how to ensure fire safety. needs to be renovated .
• Fire compartment: An area in a building that is separated by fire-resistant building components (walls/ceilings) in such a way that a fire cannot spread to other areas for a certain period of time.
• Grandfathering rights: The right to leave a building in its original condition. This protection is lost in the case of significant alterations, which triggers the obligation to renovate to ensure fire safety .
• EI30 / EI60: Fire resistance classes. EI30 means that a building component (e.g., a door) can withstand fire and smoke for 30 minutes. This is a standard for fire-resistant construction . wants to renovate .