We conclude our interview with Engineer Nigro by publishing the third and final part.
What kind of certification model are you envisioning for the Italian market, and what steps do you foresee for its implementation?
This is the core focus of our work. The future of this sector depends on the qualifications of installation companies. Currently, Italy lacks the full technical expertise needed to properly assess whether a system has been correctly installed; instead, compliance relies solely on a certificate of conformity issued by the installer. In contrast, other leading European countries, such as Germany, France, and now also Spain, already have certification frameworks in place for installation companies, which are still absent in Italy.
We intend to introduce such a framework, drawing inspiration from these countries. This would be a framework aligned with quality standards and therefore regulatory readiness. In the past, the market was more restricted, but it was eventually disrupted by unqualified new players who overturned the previous structure. That’s why we’re also counting on the collaboration of various insurance bodies to help define the qualification process for this initiative.
The IFSN aims to strengthen ties with the European Fire Sprinkler Network to support the development of the sector in Italy. In practical terms, what synergies or joint projects do you foresee, and how do you plan to transfer the know-how developed at the European level to Italian members?
As I mentioned, sharing knowledge through conferences and seminars, as well as training for installation company employees and professional operators, is among our key priorities. We would also welcome the chance to collaborate with the National Fire Brigade on educational initiatives. Thanks to the EFSN, there are a number of initiatives we can leverage.
The sprinkler industry is undergoing a major transformation with the rollout of a new technical standard: UNI 12845. This standard will require extensive training efforts, which is why we’re working on organizing standardized training courses at the European level through a professional organization.
These courses can easily be made available in multiple languages, making this one of the most impactful actions IFSN has planned for the near future, and one from which we, as part of the broader network, will clearly benefit.