The approach to fire safety that has been accepted for years is built upon detection, suppression, and evacuation. However, this approach covers reflexes that come into play only after a fire has occurred; it does not focus sufficiently on the question of why the fire started in the first place.
The International Fire Summit, held at the Uludağ Swiss Hotel under the main sponsorship of Trimbox and the coordination of TÜMBİFED, has brought a radical paradigm shift in fire safety to the agenda by questioning this established perspective of the sector.
Bringing together industry experts, academics, control engineers, fire departments, public representatives, and private sector professionals, the summit highlighted that fire safety is not solely about the intervention phase.
The Invisible Cause of Fires: Electrical Risks In most international standards and current regulations, fire safety is addressed through detection systems, automatic suppression solutions, and evacuation scenarios.
However, technical analyses and field data shared at the summit revealed that a significant portion of structural fires stem from uncontrolled overvoltages, neutral-ground imbalances, and grid-sourced problems starting in the electrical infrastructure.
SPD – SSD Distinction: Conceptual Clarity is Vital In the technical presentations delivered at the summit, the concepts of SPD and SSD, often confused in the sector, were clearly distinguished.
It was emphasized that SPD (Surge Protective Device) corresponds to a lightning arrester, while SSD (Surge Suppression Device) means an overvoltage damper/suppressor.
Shared technical analyses demonstrated that by correctly distinguishing between SPD and SSD and using the right products at the right points, electrical fires in structures could be reduced by 85–95%.
Grid-Sourced Risks and the Reality of Warranties Another critical issue discussed at the summit was that grid-sourced electrical problems are generally excluded from warranty coverage worldwide.
This situation leaves many structures—from hotels to industrial facilities, data centers to public buildings—under serious risk. However, it was clearly demonstrated at the summit that these risks can be controlled through the correct use of surge suppression systems.
A First in Turkey Regarding Single Line Diagrams Within the scope of solutions developed by Trimbox, unique symbols were created for single-phase and three-phase surge suppressors and neutral-ground regulators, which were then integrated into single-line diagrams.
This approach ensured that the understanding of electrical safety is handled systematically, not just in terms of products, but also in the language of engineering and project design.
Major Gains with Minor Legislative Touches Evaluations made at the summit revealed, through scientific and field data, that minor yet correct technical amendments to the “Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings” and the “Regulation on Preparation of Internal Installation Projects” could reduce electrical fires by 85–95%.
It was emphasized that this approach would not only reduce the loss of life and property but also contribute directly to the national economy in a wide range of areas, from insurance costs to public expenditures.
Conclusion: A New Era in Fire Safety The International Fire Summit is considered not just an event, but the beginning of a new era that centers on a preventive approach in fire safety understanding.
The transition from reflexes focused on extinguishing fires to systematic solutions focused on preventing fires at their source means safer structures, more sustainable cities, and a stronger future.