Andorra's Outdated Fire Safety Rules Fail Modern High-Rises, Experts Warn

Experts in fire safety and industrial regulations have highlighted significant shortcomings in Andorra's anti-fire standards during a technical session at the congress centre, pointing to outdated rules that fail to address modern construction challenges.

Josep Maria Arnaus, technical expert in industrial safety and quality from the Ministry of Economy and Housing, noted that the absence of clear, precise regulations complicates the implementation of safety measures, particularly in high-rise buildings proliferating across the country. He acknowledged that existing anti-fire rules from 1978 and 1981 are obsolete, lacking provisions for periodic reviews of safety installations. Arnaus confirmed ongoing efforts to update the framework with a basic regulation, supplementary instructions, and case-specific guidelines, though the process has proven complex. "There must be a modification and work is underway," he said, adding that while timelines have slipped, progress is intensifying.

The session, organised by ventilation solutions firm Sodeca, featured speakers including Òscar Llovet, head of the Bombers' prevention and incident investigation unit, and industrial engineer Lluís Duró from Grup Pirineu Payma. Participants stressed the critical role of protected stairwells as evacuation routes and operational spaces for firefighters. Without proper compartmentalisation and pressurisation, stairs risk becoming chimneys filled with smoke.

Llovet emphasised that 85% of fire fatalities result from smoke inhalation rather than flames directly, often trapping people before fire reaches them. He advocated for forced ventilation systems to clear smoke, control temperatures, and protect building structures from collapse. In high-rises, traditional extinguishing methods cannot reach upper levels without such features. He also flagged emerging risks from electric vehicles in parking areas, where fires could last days and require recalculating prevention elements like ventilation.

Duró criticised the lack of clear parameters in Andorra compared to France or Spain, such as door-opening pressure limits exceeding 100 newtons, which could hinder evacuation.

Arnaus pointed to reliance on neighbouring countries' stricter norms in the absence of local rules, as per administrative codes, but admitted confusion leads to non-compliance. He lamented that economic priorities often override safety costs, affecting owners, manufacturers, installers, and inspectors alike.