Fire is one of humankind’s most significant discoveries, but it can also be a great source of danger in accidents. On average 8 in 1,000,000 people are killed annually in Europe, and more are hospitalized due to fire. Fortunately, governments that have continuously adjusted fire safety strategies have addressed this risk. As a positive result, in the past 30 years, fire deaths dropped by 65% in Europe. 

       Buildings notably represent an important part of the places where fire has fatal consequences. Therefore, numerous national and regional fire safety regulations have been implemented targeting buildings specifically. Plastics are used in various building and construction applications, from durable pipes and window frames to state-of-the-art insulation solutions. Over the years, the industry has increased efforts to develop plastic materials, products, and construction solutions with lower ignitability and limited impact on fire spread, contributing to the ongoing reduction of fatalities, injuries, and property damage due to fire.

       The most crucial aspect of a building’s safety in the face of fire is the possibility of a safe escape. A necessary precondition is that fire safety facilities enable independent and adequate fire response performances by the building’s occupants. In practice, the measures currently required by law do not always provide the support people need in burning buildings. Fire evacuation is essential to bring fire safety measures into line with occupants’ needs during an incident. Training and education at all levels play a vital part in this. The management responsible for a building must ensure that the occupants understand how to behave in the event of a fire.

       Fire safety has always been and continues to be a major objective for the industry and an integral part of product design and manufacturing. However, to provide adequate fire safety in buildings, consideration must be given to various connected design and use aspects. In addition, training and education to help building occupants respond adequately in the face of fire also plays a vital role in building fire safety.