FireForum

What FireForum does

FireForum is a Belgian non-profit association (vzw/asbl) founded in 2009 by Agoria, PFPA, BVV, and FRCSPB/afg that operates as a cross-stakeholder forum for fire safety professionals in Belgium. It serves industry, public fire services, regulators, and academic researchers through a portfolio of paid products and services: a bilingual (Dutch/French) bimonthly Fireforum Magazine sold at €120-€210 per year, the FiSQ Fire Safety Quality Certificate (an independent certification scheme positioned alongside the NBN standards body), a biennial Congress (next edition scheduled for November 17, 2026), a biennial Awards programme (8th edition held November 6, 2025), recurring Academy events (€145-€290 per attendee), round tables, and a YouTube-hosted webinar channel. The association also maintains member, company, and solutions directories and a prescriptions/codes-of-good-practice database.

The business model is a five-stream membership and fee-based association: corporate and individual membership dues, magazine subscriptions, paid event attendance (congress, awards, academies), FiSQ certification fees, and tiered event sponsorship (Gold, Silver, Bronze and minor partners, led by Siemens at the Gold tier). Operations are lean at 5 employees under Managing Director Dominique Du Tré and President Walter Geerts. Activity is concentrated exclusively in Belgium (Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia), with no disclosed international expansion. The 2025 Awards drew ~200 attendees (versus ~300 in 2023), and the May 2025 Fire Detection study afternoon was capped at 150 participants, indicating broadly stable but not growing engagement within the Belgian fire safety community.

Name

FireForum

Legal name

Fireforum vzw

Website

https://fireforum.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FireForum is a Belgian non-profit association founded in 2009 that convenes industry, public fire services, regulators, and researchers around fire safety. It monetizes membership, a bilingual bimonthly magazine, FiSQ certification, and recurring academies, awards, and congresses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Safety Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Protection Systems Contracting (Sprinklers, Alarms, Suppression) (IMAFALAD)

Keywords

• Fire safety association
• Fire protection certification
• Safety industry events
• Regulatory standards publishing
• Industry knowledge sharing

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Fireforum operates as a membership organization (vzw/asbl). Organizations and companies join as members to access knowledge-sharing resources, events, and the FiSQ certification ecosystem. Membership is annual and subject to annual fees.
2. Magazine Subscriptions: Annual magazine subscriptions offered in Dutch and/or French editions. Single-language subscription: €120/year (5 printed editions + digital version + special edition + digital archive access). Dual-language subscription (NL + FR): €210/year.
3. Event Participation Fees: Revenue generated from paid Academy study days, webinars, Congress participation, and Awards gala dinners. Pricing varies by event type and membership status. Examples: study day €145–€195 (members) / €195–€290 (non-members); Awards gala €220–€275 (members) / €395 (non-members); webinar registration (some free, some paid).
4. FiSQ Certification: Fireforum administers the independent FiSQ (Fire Safety Quality Certificate) for companies specializing in active or passive fire safety. Certification fees apply for the application, audit, and issuance process.
5. Advertising and Sponsorship: Fireforum sells advertising space in its print and online magazine, as well as banner placements on its website. Sponsorship packages are available for events including the biennial Awards ceremony, with Silver and Bronze partnership tiers offered to sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FireForum operates as a Belgian non-profit association (vzw/asbl) functioning as a multi-stakeholder forum for fire safety. It distributes knowledge through a bimonthly bilingual magazine, annual Academy events, biennial Congress and Awards, member Round Tables, and a regulatory prescriptions database. The organization administers the FiSQ (Fire Safety Quality Certificate), an independent quality certification for fire safety companies covering organizational, technological, and financial criteria. Membership, magazine subscriptions, event registrations, certification fees, advertising, and event sponsorships constitute the core commercial activities.

Product overview

FireForum is an industry association (vzw/asbl) for fire safety in Belgium, founded in 2009 by Agoria, PFPA, BVV (Brandweervereniging Vlaanderen), and FRCSPB/afg. The organization serves as a forum connecting industry, fire services, government, and research institutions. Its offerings include the bimonthly Fireforum Magazine (Dutch and/or French), the FISQ (Fire Safety Quality Certificate) certification program, biennial Congress and Awards events, annual Academies, member Round Tables, webinars on YouTube, a Company Directory (Bedrijvengids), Solutions Directory (Oplossingen), and regulatory Prescriptions resource (Voorschriften). The portfolio functions as an integrated professional ecosystem supporting knowledge sharing, certification, and networking for fire safety professionals across Belgium.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FiSQ: Fire Safety Quality Certificate - an independent quality certification for companies specialized in active or passive fire protection.

Products and services

• FireForum Magazine A bimonthly print and digital magazine covering fire safety news, legislation, standards, expert interviews, and innovative projects in active and passive fire protection. Published in Dutch and/or French with digital archive access. Includes 5 printed editions per year plus a special thematic edition.
• FiSQ (Fire Safety Quality Certificate) Independent quality certification awarded to companies specialized in active or passive fire protection. Covers organizational, technological, and financial requirements for fire safety installation companies throughout the entire lifecycle of installations. Certification process involves application, audit, and issuance upon payment.
• FireForum Congress A biennial congress offering in-depth updates on all facets of fire safety. Features presentations and workshops in categories of Scientific Research and Applied Fire Safety, with non-commercial content. Next edition scheduled for November 17, 2026.
• FireForum Academies Annual academic study days and afternoon sessions providing comprehensive fire safety training and updates for members and interested parties. Topics include evacuation, smoke control systems, fire detection and alarm systems, and other fire safety domains.
• FireForum Awards Biennial awards program recognizing organizations and projects that distinguish themselves in fire safety and prevention. Features 7 categories: Public fire safety awareness, Professional fire safety awareness, Construction project fire safety, Firefighting and intervention, Scientific research, Lifetime Achievement, and Innovation in fire safety technology. 8th edition held November 6, 2025.
• Membership Annual membership for organizations and companies in the Belgian fire safety ecosystem, providing access to knowledge-sharing resources, Academy events at discounted rates, Awards gala discounts, FiSQ certification pathway, and the member directory.
• Bedrijvengids (Company Directory) A searchable directory of registered companies specializing in various fire safety techniques, filterable by chronology, party, technique, and FiSQ certification status.
• Voorschriften (Prescriptions) A comprehensive regulatory resource covering legislation, standards, and codes of good practice for fire safety. Filterable by chronology, party, technique, region, function, and document type.
• Webinars on YouTube Recorded webinar sessions on fire safety topics including extinguishers, electric vehicles in parking, evacuation, rechargeable batteries, fire risk analysis, fire detection systems, and smoke control systems, accessible on demand via FireForum's YouTube channel.
• Oplossingen (Solutions Directory) A searchable directory categorizing fire safety solutions by technique, covering fire detection, sprinklers, smoke extraction, fire doors, fire dampers, extinguishers, and organizational management.

Quantifiable outcome

• The FiSQ quality certificate ensures quality fire safety installations throughout the entire lifespan of the installation, reducing lifecycle costs and safety risks.

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered golden partner, silver partner, bronze partner, gold sponsor, minor and core.

• Siemens (Golden Partner - Awards 2025)golden partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025Siemens served as Golden Partner for the Fireforum Awards 2025, the 8th edition of this biennial event. The Golden Partner status represents the highest sponsorship tier, providing maximum brand visibility and engagement with the fire safety professional community.
• NBN (National Bureau of Normalization) (Silver Partner - Awards 2025)silver partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025NBN (National Bureau of Normalization - Belgian standards body) was a Silver Partner of the Fireforum Awards 2025. As the national standards organization, NBN's partnership underscores the alignment between Fireforum's fire safety mission and Belgium's regulatory and normalization framework.
• C-fire (Silver Partner - Awards 2025)silver partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025C-fire was a Silver Partner of the Fireforum Awards 2025, supporting the biennial industry awards event and gaining brand exposure among fire safety professionals.
• DEF Belgium (Silver Partner - Awards 2025)silver partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025DEF Belgium was a Silver Partner of the Fireforum Awards 2025, supporting the flagship industry event and gaining visibility among the Belgian fire safety professional community.
• REI Projects / Kingspan Light & Air (Bronze Partner - Awards 2025)bronze partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025REI Projects / Kingspan Light & Air was a Bronze Partner of the Fireforum Awards 2025, supporting the industry awards event and gaining exposure to fire safety professionals.
• SomatiFIE (Bronze Partner - Awards 2025)bronze partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025SomatiFIE was a Bronze Partner of the Fireforum Awards 2025, supporting the biennial awards ceremony and gaining visibility among the fire safety industry.
• TOA Benelux (Bronze Partner - Awards 2025)bronze partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025TOA Benelux was a Bronze Partner of the Fireforum Awards 2025, supporting the industry awards event and gaining brand exposure among fire safety professionals.
• Siemens (Gold Sponsor - Awards 2023)gold sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2023Siemens served as Gold Sponsor for the Fireforum Awards 2023, contributing to the funding and visibility of this flagship industry event. The sponsorship provided brand exposure to the fire safety community attending the gala dinner and awards ceremony at Afrikapaleis, Tervuren.
• Equans (Bronze Sponsor - Awards 2023)bronze partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2023Equans was a Bronze Sponsor of the Fireforum Awards 2023, supporting the event and gaining visibility among fire safety professionals. Bronze sponsorship provides a designated level of brand exposure and engagement at the awards ceremony.
• Promat (Bronze Sponsor - Awards 2023)bronze partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2023Promat was a Bronze Sponsor of the Fireforum Awards 2023, supporting the fire safety industry's premier awards event and gaining brand exposure to the attending fire safety professionals.
• Sicli (Bronze Sponsor - Awards 2023)bronze partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2023Sicli was a Bronze Sponsor of the Fireforum Awards 2023, supporting the industry awards event and gaining exposure among the fire safety professional community.
• araani (Bronze Sponsor - Awards 2023)bronze partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2023araani was a Bronze Sponsor of the Fireforum Awards 2023, contributing to the event and gaining visibility with fire safety professionals.
• NBN (National Bureau of Normalization) (Bronze Sponsor - Awards 2023)bronze partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2023NBN (National Bureau of Normalization) was a Bronze Sponsor of the Fireforum Awards 2023, supporting the event and representing the Belgian standards ecosystem within the fire safety community.
• AluprofminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAluprof was listed as a partner of Fireforum events (seen in the studieday smoke control systems event partners section), providing support and brand presence at industry events.
• EatonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEaton was listed as a partner of Fireforum events (seen in the studieday smoke control systems event partners section), providing support and brand presence at industry events.
• SicliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSicli (fire safety equipment supplier) was listed as a partner of Fireforum events, supporting Fireforum's study days and gaining visibility with the fire safety professional community.
• Kingspan Light & AirminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKingspan Light & Air was listed as a partner of Fireforum events, supporting study days on smoke control systems and other fire safety topics.
• TOA BeneluxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTOA Benelux (public address and voice alarm systems) was listed as a partner of Fireforum events, supporting industry education events.
• AgoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgoria is one of Fireforum's four founding organizations (founded in 2009) and a key strategic partner. Agoria represents the technology industry in Belgium and collaborates with Fireforum on standards, publications (joint whitepaper on fire safety policy), and professional development. Fireforum's Senior Expert Bart Vanbever is affiliated with Agoria.
• BVV (Brandweervereniging Vlaanderen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBVV (Flemish Firefighters Association) is one of Fireforum's four founding organizations (founded in 2009) and a key member organization representing Flemish fire services within Fireforum's multi-stakeholder ecosystem.
• PFPA (Professionele Federatie voor Preventieadviseurs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFPA (Professional Federation of Prevention Advisors) is one of Fireforum's four founding organizations (founded in 2009) and represents prevention advisors within the Belgian fire safety ecosystem.
• FRCSPB/afg (Fédération Royale des Corps de Sapeurs-Pompiers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRCSPB/afg (Royal Federation of Volunteer Fire Brigades of Belgium / association wallonne des sapeurs-pompiers) is one of Fireforum's four founding organizations (founded in 2009), representing Walloon fire brigades.
• BluePoint (venues for Academy events)minorOthersBluePoint (Antwerp and Liège) serves as the venue for Fireforum's Academy study days and afternoon sessions. BluePoint provides conference facilities for Fireforum's in-person professional development events.
• Afrikapaleis (venue for Awards gala)minorOthersAfrikapaleis (Paleizenlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren) serves as the venue for the biennial Fireforum Awards gala dinner, hosting up to 300 fire safety professionals for the awards ceremony.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association): The world's leading fire-safety standards and codes organization (NFPA codes). Comparable to Fireforum as a fire-safety membership organization producing codes, training, and certifications, but operating at global scale.
• BSI Group: UK-based standards and certification multinational. Comparable to Fireforum through its standards development and certification activities (including fire safety), but vastly larger and operating globally across many industries.
• ICC (International Code Council): US-based developer of building and fire codes (I-Codes). Comparable to Fireforum's prescriptions/standards function, though ICC is primarily a code development organization rather than an industry forum.

Regional players

• CNPP (Centre National de Prévention et de Protection): French national body for fire and security prevention, certification, and training. Comparable model to Fireforum in serving the national fire safety ecosystem, but operating in France and serving a much larger market.
• DBI (Dansk Brand- og sikringsteknisk Institut): Danish fire and security technology institute providing certification, testing, and training. Comparable to Fireforum in mission and certification scope but serving the Danish market.

Direct peers

• CFPA-Europe (Confederation of Fire Protection Associations Europe): European federation of national fire protection associations. Directly comparable to Fireforum as a multi-country forum convening industry, fire services, and regulators around fire safety knowledge, standards, and certification.
• Fire Protection Association (FPA, UK): UK-based fire safety membership body that delivers training, publications, certification, and events. Closely comparable model to Fireforum: membership-funded, standards-driven, magazine-publishing association serving a single national market.
• Efectis: European fire science and certification group providing testing, certification, and engineering services. Directly comparable to Fireforum's FiSQ certification and code-of-good-practice work, operating across multiple European countries.
• ANPI (Association Nationale pour la Protection contre l'Incendie): Belgian national fire protection testing and certification body. Direct domestic peer of Fireforum/FiSQ — also operating in Belgium's fire safety ecosystem with a strong focus on product and installer certification.
• VdS Schadenverhütung: German fire protection and security certification body. Comparable to Fireforum/FiSQ as a nationally-trusted certification organization for fire safety installers, with a strong brand and standards-development role.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fireforum-be
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fireforum
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php
• Xx.com/tweet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FireForum