International Fire Suppression Alliance

2026 NFSA Annual Seminar & Business & Leadership Conference
2026-04-29 - 2026-05-01
2026 NFSA Annual Seminar and Business & Leadership Conference

Date: April 29, 2026 – May 1, 2026 | 8:00 AM-10:00 PM

Location: The Westin Seattle | 1900 5th Avenue | Seattle, WA 98101

We hope you will join us in Seattle, Washington, for the 2026 NFSA Annual Seminar and Business & Leadership Conference! This year’s event will be a dynamic experience, bringing together leaders, experts, and innovators from across the fire sprinkler industry.

Our annual gathering continues to serve as a premier platform for advancing knowledge, strengthening collaboration, and driving progress in fire and life safety. As new challenges and opportunities emerge, NFSA remains committed to equipping our members and partners with the tools and connections needed to succeed.
Agenda Highlights Include:

Keynote Addresses – Gain insights from visionary leaders shaping the future of fire protection and business leadership.
Educational Sessions – Engage in 30 sessions covering technical advancements, leadership development, and industry-specific best practices.
Networking Opportunities – Build connections with peers, professionals, and future collaborators.
Tabletops – Discover the latest technologies, products, and services showcased by our vendors.
Awards Banquet – Celebrate excellence across the fire sprinkler industry as we honor the 2026 Golden Sprinkler Award, Russell P. Fleming Technical Service Award, and Public Safety Leadership Award recipients.
Common Voices Seattle Excursion – Common Voices is mixing things up this year! Instead of a golf outing, they have planned a two-hour scenic sail on Argosy Cruises’ Spirit of Seattle.

The 2026 NFSA Annual Seminar and Business & Leadership Conference is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity to exchange ideas, sharpen expertise, and chart the path forward for our industry. Whether you’re an experienced professional or new to the field, this conference offers valuable perspectives and meaningful connections to support your growth and success.
We look forward to welcoming you to Seattle for a week of learning, networking, and celebration as we continue our mission: protecting lives and property through the widespread acceptance of the fire sprinkler concept.

Fire Australia 2026
2026-05-05 - 2026-05-07
Fire Australia 2026
Date: May 5 – 7, 2026
Location: Melbourne, AUS
Fire Australia continues to grow in scale, quality and impact, and FY26 is set to be our strongest year yet.
After a standout Fire Australia 2025 in Sydney, we’re excited to bring the event back to Melbourne, home to one of Australia’s most dynamic fire protection communities. This year’s program builds on everything our delegates value most: practical knowledge, forward-looking insights, and the chance to connect with the people shaping the future of our industry.
Fire Australia 2026 will feature an expanded multi-stream conference program, leading experts from across Australia and abroad, and a tradeshow showcasing the latest technology, products and solutions driving better fire safety outcomes.
Whether you’re joining us to deepen your technical expertise, explore innovation, strengthen partnerships or broaden your network, FA26 promises meaningful conversations, high-value learning and memorable experiences across three full days.
We’re looking forward to welcoming practitioners, business leaders, suppliers, regulators and emerging professionals from across the region, as we continue building a safer, more resilient Australia together.
See you in Melbourne for Fire Australia 2026.

IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference
2026-05-07
IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference
Date: May 7, 2026
Location: Dubai, UAE

On 8 May 2025, 253 senior fire and safety professionals gathered at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina, for the IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference, held in partnership with Britannia Fire.

The one-day conference brought together influential voices from across the global fire and safety sector.
Delegates, including technical specialists, strategic decision-makers and policymakers, met to discuss practical responses to the most pressing risks and trends impacting the industry.
From lithium-ion battery hazards to AI-driven detection, circular economy practices and evolving workforce demands, the programme reflected the urgency and complexity of modern fire safety challenges.
A focus on leadership and risk readiness
The day opened with welcome remarks from Ian Stokes, CEO of Centurian Media Ltd, and Terry Johnson, President of the IFE GCC/UAE Branch and Conference Chair.
Their comments set the tone for a programme designed to encourage honest dialogue and knowledge exchange.
Johnson spoke of the need for preparedness and strategic foresight, while Stokes reflected on the role of platforms such as IFSJ Leaders in advancing operational clarity and regional cooperation.
The morning keynote address was delivered by a representative from Dubai Civil Defense, offering an overview of regulatory initiatives and technological advancements aimed at strengthening pre-emptive response measures.
Later in the day, Mike Brunzell, Vice President of Global Business Development at the National Fire Protection Association, delivered a closing keynote that looked at international alignment on standards and the continued need for forward-thinking regulation.
Engaging with complex challenges and practical responses
Throughout the day, panel discussions tackled some of the most difficult questions facing fire safety professionals in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
In the session focused on lithium-ion batteries, speakers including Ghaith Bakir of UL Solutions, Eman Mattie-Suleiman of VdS Loss Prevention, Lt Col Dr Humaid Al Ali of the UAE General Command of Civil Defense, Chris Chennell of WSP and Ihab Al Bariam of LOAMS examined the risks associated with energy storage systems and the policy adaptations needed to manage them effectively.
The sustainability panel highlighted the growing relevance of circular economy models in fire safety product development and procurement.
Andy Spence of Britannia Fire spoke alongside Aman Sharma of Totus Digital and Ryan Dhindsa of Tuffking, addressing how manufacturers are working to reduce environmental impact without compromising safety or compliance.
The facilities management session brought together representatives from BR Training Solutions, iFM Facilities Management, WSP and ATEIS to explore the lifecycle approach to fire safety, from design and specification through to demolition and replacement.
In another session, the panel led by Eitan Charnoff of the UAE Ministry of Interior’s Secure Communities Forum focused on public safety provision for people of determination, linking to the UAE’s Year of Community and highlighting the importance of inclusion in emergency planning.
Further sessions addressed resilience, recruitment and retention, crisis communication and infrastructure protection.
A high-level panel on workforce development, moderated by Steve Hamm of the Institution of Fire Engineers, featured contributions from Sawsan Dahham of SIENA, Mohammed Saeefan of Saudi Aramco, Marwan Abu Zaid of Emaar and others.
Together, they discussed how to secure and maintain skilled personnel in an increasingly competitive employment environment.
Sponsor and partner contributions
As Platinum Sponsor, Britannia Fire led a dedicated presentation on sustainable fire extinguisher technologies, including the development of PFAS-free P50 composite units.
Their session reflected the broader theme of environmentally conscious safety solutions and the need to future-proof products and systems in line with evolving regulations.
Gold Sponsor ATEIS, Silver Sponsors MSA Safety and RelyOn Nutec, and Supporting Partners Fire Lion Global, FireDos, PAC, Apollo, VdS and Paradigm also featured prominently throughout the event.
Each contributed to the interactive exhibition space and dedicated networking zones, providing a forum for delegates to engage with new technologies and exchange insights directly with solution providers.
Guidance from an experienced advisory panel
The agenda was shaped by the event’s advisory panel, which included returning members such as Engineer Salma Al Ali of Dubai Civil Defense, David Campbell of Emirates Safety Laboratory, Robert Davies of WSP, Mark Buckingham of King Abdulaziz Airport, Dana Kamal of NFPA, and Peter Stephenson of Hydrock.
New panellists for 2025 included Lieutenant Colonel Dr Humaid Al Ali, Deputy Director of Fire Affairs at the UAE General Command of Civil Defense, and Lieutenant Colonel Dr Essa Almutawa, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at Dubai Civil Defense, whose input ensured the conference maintained its relevance to emerging threats and technologies.
Throughout the day, the conference facilitated meaningful dialogue, the exchange of best practices, and the formation of new professional connections.
Delegates left with a greater understanding of the operational, regulatory and technological shifts that continue to shape the fire and safety profession.
Save the Date: IFSJ Leaders in Fire and Safety – 7th May 2026
IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety will return to Dubai in May 2026.
To register your interest or enquire about speaking and sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://ifsjleadersinfireandsafety.com/registration-2026

Chasing the Storage Holy Grail: Ceiling Only K28 (400) & K34 (480) ESFR Sprinkler Protection
2026-05-07 10:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis)

Expo Fuego
2026-05-13 - 2026-05-14
Expofuego

Date: May 13 – 14, 2026
Location: Lima, Peru
Es la mayor reunión de profesionales nacionales e internacionales dedicados a la protección contra incendios y seguridad humana quienes están dispuestos a intercambiar conocimientos y compartir los avances de esta industria.

INTERSCHUTZ
2026-06-01 - 2026-06-06
INTERSCHUTZ 2026
Date: June 1 – 6, 2026
Location: Hannover, GER
Discover the latest international trends and innovations in firefighting, rescue services, and civil protection from June 1 to 6, 2026. You can purchase your ticket for INTERSCHUTZ online here and activate it by personalizing it.

International Symposium on Fire Safety Science
2026-06-08 - 2027-06-12
International Symposium on Fire Safety Science
Date: June 8 – 12, 2026
Location: La Rochelle, France
The IAFSS Symposium has been organized triennially since 1985 and has become the premier fire safety science meeting attracting researchers, students, and practicing fire protection engineers from across the globe.

The five-day event will feature invited lectures from world-leading fire science researchers, parallel presentations of peer-reviewed papers, work-in-progress poster sessions, and an image session showcasing fire research.
In addition to the technical sessions, social activities are planned to provide meeting and networking opportunities for colleagues at different career stages in informal settings.
During the two days prior to the symposium, a series of workshops will be organized, targeting a range of important topics in fire safety science and fire protection engineering.

Breathing Air Standpipes: Supporting Firefighter Operations in High-Rise Buildings
2026-06-11 10:00 - 11:00

NFPA Conference & Expo
2026-06-22 - 2026-06-26
2026 NFPA Conference & Expo

Date: June 22 – 24 | Technical Meeting June 25 – 26
Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Join a global community of professionals dedicated to protecting people and property at the premier event for fire, electrical, and life safety. The NFPA Conference & Expo® 2026 brings together experts, suppliers, and safety professionals to exchange knowledge, explore cutting-edge technologies, and help strengthen compliance across industries. Come be a part of the future of safety!

Artificial Intelligence in Fire Protection: Risk, Reward, and Reality
2026-07-09 10:00 - 11:00
Mark Fessenden, Managing Director of the IFSA directs the conversation about how Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the construction industry. From proposal generation and contract review to predictive scheduling and automated document control, AI-enabled tools are already embedded in the software many contractors and manufacturers use every day.
But life-safety systems are different.
When automatic sprinkler systems are designed, installed, inspected, and maintained, the stakes are not productivity alone, they are human life, property protection, and community resilience. As AI begins influencing project management, compliance review, risk assessment, and inspection data analysis, the industry must confront a critical question:
Can we trust AI in life-safety applications?
This IFSA webinar brings together industry leaders, engineers, contractors, insurers, and technology experts to explore the practical and ethical implications of AI in fire protection. The discussion will examine where AI is already delivering value, where caution is warranted, and how governance, data quality, and professional oversight must evolve alongside emerging technologies.
Participants will explore:

Where AI is currently being used in fire protection and construction management
The reliability and limitations of AI-generated outputs
The role of human verification in life-safety systems
Governance frameworks and cybersecurity considerations
How AI may influence regulatory compliance and inspection practices
The long-term impact on workforce development and professional responsibility

Rather than approaching AI as either a disruptive threat or a silver bullet, this session will provide a balanced, informed discussion focused on dependable outcomes and industry integrity.
As AI capabilities expand globally, the fire protection community must ensure that innovation strengthens, not weakens, the trust placed in life-safety systems.
