Firefighting and fire prevention are two closely allied and steadily converging disciplines. Their convergence is driven by a growing focus on prevention – a trend that will be reflected at the upcoming INTERSCHUTZ . In 2020, the show's long-standing Fire Fighting display area will be matched – in halls 12 and 13 – by a dedicated Fire Prevention display area that will feature a comprehensive range of fire protection technologies – everything from fire extinguishing technology and agents and building design to technical fire and building protection systems. The INTERSCHUTZ show's other main display categories, alongside Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention, are Rescue Services, Civil Protection, Communication & Control Center Solutions, and Protective Equipment.

"With its six overall display categories, INTERSCHUTZ provides a comprehensive offering that covers all the issues of importance to our visitors while at same time highlighting new ideas and ways of doing things," commented Martin Folkerts, Global Director INTERSCHUTZ at Deutsche Messe. "We are delighted that we are able to further enlarge the show's fire prevention lineup for the 2020 season. In the fire extinguishing technology and agents segment in particular, our exhibitor bookings have already exceeded the final levels achieved for INTERSCHUTZ 2015."

INTERSCHUTZ is leveraging one of its key strengths – the fact that it is a magnet for firefighting professionals and organizations – to raise awareness of fire protection systems. "Fire departments, being the organizations charged with protecting against fires once they break out, need to know what is happening on the prevention side of the equation," said Dirk Aschenbrenner, President of the German Fire Protection Association (GFPA). "That is why INTERSCHUTZ needs to get the fire protection message out not just to advisers, building planners and architects – i.e. fire prevention experts – but to firefighting organizations as well. Having a sound working knowledge of fire protection and prevention systems and methods is vital to firefighters in their everyday work." The GFPA is an INTERSCHUTZ partner exhibiting in Hall 13.

The Association of German Fire Protection Equipment Manufacturers (bvfa) is also a long-standing partner of INTERSHUTZ and will also be exhibiting in Hall 13. It will be there with a fresh, revamped version of its tried and proven large-scale group pavilion. The pavilion will host a total of nine fire protection equipment providers. "The fire prevention and firefighting specialists represented at INTERSCHUTZ are united by a common goal: technological advancement," said bvfa Chairman Dr. Wolfram Krause. "At INTERSCHUTZ 2020, our members will be presenting state-of-the-art solutions in stationary and mobile fire extinguishing technology and passive fire protection." Other industry organizations and associations which have already confirmed that they will be participating at INTERSCHUTZ 2020 include the German Fire Safety and Prevention Institute (DIvB), the German Federation of Chimney Sweeps (Bundesverband des Schornsteinfegerhandwerks), and the International Water Mist Association (IWMA). The exhibitor list includes the following providers: Aquasys, Bavaria, Brandschutztechnik Müller, Callies, Döka, FiWaRec, Gloria, JOB, Mariott, Minimax, MPA Dresden, Prymos, Rosenbauer, Tyco, VdS Schadenverhütung, Victaulic and Viking. The INTERSCHUTZ team is currently in the process of defining the topics for an accompanying fire prevention forum, also to be held in Hall 13.

The INTERSCHUTZ show's safety and security lineup has also been expanded. It has in fact been structured into two distinct display categories: Protective Equipment (Hall 14/15) and Communications & Control Center Solutions, including hardware, software and IT (Hall 16). This new arrangement makes for a more transparently signposted site layout. The six main display categories are separately color-coded on the official site map, making it even easier for visitors to find their way around.