SFPE announces 2026 Fire Protection Symposium for Cultural and Heritage Sites in Venice

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has announced the program and speakers for its 2026 Engineering Solutions Symposium: Fire Protection of Cultural and Heritage Sites, scheduled for November 12-13, 2026, in Venice, Italy.

The two-day, in-person event will bring together fire protection engineers, architects, heritage authorities, building owners and managers, insurers, government officials, and fire service professionals to examine the challenges of protecting historic structures, cultural assets, and irreplaceable heritage sites from fire.

Through keynote presentations, technical sessions, and real-world case studies, attendees will explore modern approaches to fire protection that balance life safety, property protection, and preservation requirements.

• Unique fire hazards and vulnerabilities in cultural and heritage properties
• Codes, standards, and engineering guidance for historic and existing buildings
• Active and passive fire protection strategies that support preservation goals
• Fire detection, suppression, egress, and construction-phase fire safety solutions
• Lessons from major cultural and heritage site fire incidents and recovery efforts
• Perspectives from architects, heritage authorities, fire brigades, and international engineering leaders on balancing safety and conservation priorities

The symposium program will include contributions from experts in academia, engineering practice, heritage preservation, fire services, and regulatory authorities. The international program committee is co-chaired by Luciano Nigro, PE, and William Koffel, PE, FSFPE, SASHE, with support from a group of industry and technical leaders.

“When a cultural or heritage site is lost to fire, the impact extends far beyond the building itself—it represents the loss of history, identity, and shared human experience,” said Chris Jelenewicz, PE, FSFPE, CEO of SFPE. “Through this symposium, SFPE is bringing together a global community of experts to explore how fire protection engineering can help preserve these irreplaceable landmarks for future generations.”

The event will be held at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, a restored historic flour mill on Giudecca Island. SFPE said the venue reflects the symposium’s focus on protecting heritage buildings while adapting them for modern use.

Following the two days of technical programming, attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in a November 14 tour designed to provide real-world context for the fire protection and preservation strategies discussed during the symposium.

Registration is open for the 2026 SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium: Fire Protection of Cultural and Heritage Sites. More information is available from SFPE.