RBM Community Event: “Thinking, Designing, Building, and Managing Retail Buildings”

Once again for the 2024 edition, the annual RBM Community event took place at Hotel Meliá in Milan, organized by Spazio Progetto from Reggio Emilia. This high-profile meeting point brought together professionals from the Retail sector, covering design, safety, and luxury, while also serving as a valuable opportunity to connect with friends, collaborators, and clients.

With the theme “Thinking, Designing, Building, and Managing Retail Buildings,” several roundtable discussions took place throughout the day on Tuesday, November 19, gathering over 250 participants.

This year, I was honored to take on the role of Moderator for the roundtable dedicated to fire safety in retail structures, focusing on “Fire Prevention: Between Code and Regulation.” The discussion specifically addressed the current state of fire safety in commercial spaces, examining how modern fire prevention strategies provide a comprehensive approach to maintaining design standards over time through a Fire Safety Management System (SGSA).

When using the performance-based approach introduced by the Fire Prevention Code, two essential steps must be followed: fire risk assessment, which involves developing a tailored fire prevention plan suited to the specific needs of each commercial facility, and the Fire Safety Management System (SGSA), which ensures the integrity and validation of fire safety systems over time, maintaining their effectiveness long after installation.

The panelists shared their expertise, discussing case studies—both successful and challenging—from the field. Speakers included Fabio Borghini, Fire Systems Expert, ESSER Business Development Italy & Iberia, Honeywell | Building Automation; Fabio Poser, Engineering/Architectural Department Manager, Total Service Engineering S.r.l.; Marco Cannas, Maintenance Manager, B&B Hotels Italia; and Edoardo Cavalieri D’Oro, Senior Officer, Milan Fire Department (VVF).

I would like to personally thank the event organizers and my fellow panelists for sharing their expertise in this valuable exchange of knowledge and professional experience. It was a truly welcoming and constructive environment, reinforcing the importance of continuous dialogue in our field.