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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

1st Level Master in

Fire Safety Engineering

This master aims to provide a specialisation in the field of fire protection engineering by completing the basic training and supplementing it with conceptual tools and practical approaches required for the proper performance of the profession. 

Description

In a scenario of strong renewal of the building stock, fire safety is one of the most relevant and at the same time one of the most challenging areas of activity in the coming years. The new era in the construction sector, characterised by an increasing drive towards renovation, by building models developed in height and with complex geometries, and by the development and use of new materials with a reduced environmental impact, makes it important to develop and disseminate specific competences according to the different requirements regarding fire design, risk management, escape analysis, and the behaviour of materials when subjected to high temperatures.  

It is not only a matter of ensuring and managing the safety of building occupants in the event of a fire, but also of managing the fire risk, minimising the time out of service and facilitating the restoration of the building structure following a catastrophic event such as a fire (post-fire serviceability, business continuity, and fire resilience). It is important to focus on prevention to reduce the risk and increase the sensitivity of all the actors involved in the life cycle of buildings and the processes underlying them.

In this context, this programme aims to offer the advanced and interdisciplinary preparation indispensable for the integrated management of fire safety. 

It is aimed at candidates awaiting employment or already employed as:

  • freelance professionals and employees of design, consultancy and service firms; 
  • employees of companies active in the construction, plant engineering and building materials sector;  
  • employees of the public administration or research institutes and centres;  

and in general to all those who are interested in increasing specific and operational professional skills, on the issues of fire risk prevention, mitigation and management.  

Particular attention will be paid to calculation and simulation methods, the most advanced active and passive prevention systems, as well as integrated design and timber building aspects.  

The participants will be able to develop optional traineeship activities in public bodies, companies and/or private firms with proven experience in fire safety issues.   

The possibility of recognition of the 120-hour training course within the programme for registration in the Ministry of the Interior's lists of Fire Protection Professionals (Legislative Decree 139/06), as well as for the issuing of professional training credits, is currently being defined. 

At a glance

ECTS credits: 60
Duration of the course: 1 year 
Courses will be taught in: Italian and English
Places available: maximum of 35
Campus: Bozen-Bolzano
Tuition fees: 3.500 € per year (+ 164 € provincial tax for the right to study)

Structure 

The master aims to complete the first-level university education by focusing the preparation of technicians on the problems and aspects typical of fire engineering. In particular, the training objectives are those relating to the four areas of interest typical of fire engineering, i.e., fire science, human behaviour and evacuation, fire protection systems and fire protection analysis. To these are added legislation and regulations and correct building design, in terms of prevention and not only reaction to fire.

The training offer is articulated on a study path of 1500 hours in total, of which:

  • 120 hours of classroom teaching  
  • 280 hours of distance learning  
  • 70 hours of guided practice in presence (not in the classroom)
  • 30 hours guided practice related to the integrated project activity in presence and in distance
  • 320 hours of integrated project  
  • 680 hours of individual study  

The integrated project activity consists of the in-depth analysis of a case study proposed by the lecturers, students or companies in the sector, agreed in advance with the course council. Students will be divided into groups according to the criterion of complementarity of skills and will tackle an in-depth design task. Part of the project hours will be spent in the classroom and will take the form of case study visits, project finalisation meetings, organised visits to workshops, etc.).   

The final paper consists of a presentation of the work carried out in the integrated project activity with particular focus on the activities carried out by the individual candidate.  

Lessons

The calendar is designed for working people, facilitating the reconciliation of study and work. Lessons will take place approximately from September 2023 to July 2024 with the exception of break periods due to public holidays.  

Classes will be concentrated on two days of the week, preferably Friday afternoon 14:00-18:00 and Saturday 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00.   

To obtain the title, a compulsory attendance of 70% of the planned activities is required. This percentage must be complied with for each didactic delivery method. Therefore, attendance is envisaged for ten "weekends", eight of which will be devoted to lectures, one to an integrated project/stage and one to discussion of the final paper.  

Changes may be made to the teaching calendar due to justified organisational requirements. Any changes to the teaching calendar will in any case be agreed with students and lecturers.. 

Study Plan

Contents and learning objectives

Course Offering

Career Opportunities

The programme aims to train fire protection engineering professionals with the possibility of self-employment, as part of the liberal professions, as consultants and experts in fire protection, or employment in companies that produce systems and components or provide consultancy in the same field, or finally in the public administration at the authorities and offices responsible for the subject.

Ing. Guido Parisi

già Capo del Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco

La Fire Safety Engineering rappresenta un momento di evoluzione dinamica all’approccio alla sicurezza antincendio. Negli anni a venire si apriranno nuove sfide che evidenziano la necessità di un approccio integrato alla progettazione in cui la sicurezza antincendio deve coniugarsi con le altre esigenze progettuali. Una sfida è senz’altro rappresentata dagli interventi di riqualificazione edilizia che, a fronte di uno scenario di cambiamento climatico, mira a produrre edifici con prestazioni energetiche elevate aprendo il campo alle necessarie valutazioni sperimentali e progettuali finalizzate a determinare le proprietà dei prodotti utilizzati. Il percorso è lungo ed è di grande conforto vedere l’interesse dei professionisti su queste tematiche, dimostrato anche dall’avvio della I edizione di questo Master. Il corso si innesta in un momento di transizione culturale importante, ed è per questo che il CNVVF ha istituzionalizzato il rapporto con l’iniziativa formativa attraverso la stipula di una convenzione - con il fine di favorire iniziative congiunte di studio, formazione e ricerca nell’ambito dell’ingegneria antincendio.

Application and Admission

You can find all you need to know in order to apply and gain admission to this study programme by browsing through the information below.

Early Bird Application

Application: 02/05/2023 - 17/07/2023 (by 12 noon) 
Online admission interview: 21 July
Publication of the ranking lists: 28/07/2023
Enrollment: 11/08/2023 (12 noon) 
Start of lectures: last four months 2023

Late Session 

Application: from 21/08 to 08/09/2023 (by 12 noon) 
Online admission interview: 18/09/2023
Publication of ranking list: 21/09/2023
Enrolment: 02/10/2023 (by 12 noon) 
Start of Lectures: last four months 2023

The Advisory Service provides support regarding your choice of study. In many cases a simple call or a short request is enough to get the relevant information (Tel. +39 0471 012100).