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2026 Building Fire Safety Symposium

Registration is Open!

The 2026 Building Fire Safety Symposium is coming to Rosemont, IL!

📅Dates: September 9 – 10

📍Location: Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago

About the Symposium

NAMBA is hosting its third annual Building Fire Safety Symposium this September! The Symposium brings together industry leaders, experts, and professionals to explore the five common principles of building fire safety and discuss critical aspects of fire safety in buildings.

The Five Common Principles of Building Fire Safety

Prevention

Detection and Communication

Occupant Protection

Containment or Compartmentation

Extinguishment

Who Should Attend?

Architects & Designers
Building Officials/Inspectors
Engineers & Specifiers
Building Operators & Managers
Fire Services Community
Building Product Manufacturers
Students & Academics

Why Attend?

The Building Fire Safety Symposium is your premier opportunity to explore essential fire safety principles and practices, network, and connect. Join industry experts and professionals to discuss vital aspects of building fire safety and stay ahead in your field.

Building Official Scholarship

NAMBA is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships for building officials interested in attending the Building Fire Safety Symposium. Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to participate in technical sessions, engage with experts and peers, and contribute to cross-disciplinary dialogue on issues affecting building and fire safety.

Apply

Symposium Tracks

This year’s program is structured around the International Fire Safety Standards (IFSS) Common Principles and focuses on practical, code-compliant strategies for modern construction.

Program Tracks

2026 Program Tracks

Track One: Fire Prevention Across the Building Life Cycle

How thoughtful design, construction practices, and building operations help prevent fires and support safe, efficient buildings.

Example topics: design features that reduce ignition risks, safe construction practices, reducing wildfire exposure, maintaining building safety systems, and planning for safe upgrades and retrofits.

Track Two: Advances in Fire Detection & Communication Systems

Improving early warning and communication to help protect occupants and support coordinated response.

Example topics: new detection technologies, effective alerts and notifications, digital communication with fire services, smart sensors, and improving system compatibility in today’s buildings.

Track Three: Enhancing Occupant Protection & Means of Escape

Designing buildings that help people stay safe and evacuate quickly and confidently.

Example topics: clear and reliable egress design, planning for a range of occupant needs, reducing smoke movement, and using technology to support better evacuation decisions.

Track Four: Containment Strategies in Modern Buildings

Keeping fire and smoke from spreading by using the right design strategies and building features—helping ensure assemblies perform safely.

Example topics: dividing buildings into protected areas, improving airflow and smoke control, enhancing fire resistance in common assemblies, and the role of automatic suppression in limiting fire spread.

Track Five: Extinguishment & Emergency Response Effectiveness

Design and planning choices that help fire services respond quickly and safely while minimizing impacts on people and buildings.

Example topics: collaborating with fire services in advance, challenges in unique building types, ensuring dependable water and system performance, addressing new energy technologies, and reducing environmental impacts.

Call for Presentations: Important Dates & Deadlines (click to expand)

May 1, 2026: Deadline for presentation proposal submissions.

May 15, 2026: Notification of proposal acceptance.

July 17, 2026: Final presentation content and materials due.

Questions?

Contact Laura Dickemann: laura_dickemann@americanchemistry.com