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Fire safety in focus

From 21 to 23 October 2025, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) will welcome the first-ever Western Cape edition of Firexpo. Co-located in one hall with Securex South Africa, A-OSH EXPO, and Facilities Management Expo, the event will provide visitors with an integrated view of how fire safety connects to broader workplace protection, operational efficiency, and building management.

“The urgency of fire safety in the Western Cape is difficult to overstate. In 2024/25, Cape Town recorded 3773 residential fires, with 166 fatalities, despite a 25% improvement on the previous year. In informal settlements, where high-density living and limited infrastructure create additional vulnerabilities, up to 115 lives are lost annually because of fire,” says Mark Anderson, portfolio director at Montgomery Group Africa.

Wildfires bring another layer of risk. Between November 2024 and February 2025, the Western Cape experienced 11 149 veld and wildland fires, burning more than 32 000 hectares of land. These incidents not only damage ecosystems, but also disrupt agriculture, tourism, and local communities.

The financial burden on businesses is equally sobering. Insurers consistently identify commercial fires as the single biggest risk for South African companies, resulting in losses amounting to millions of rands each year. At the same time, demand for fire protection is growing rapidly; the South African fire suppression market is forecast to expand from $463,5 million in 2024 to $790,2 million by 2030.

At Firexpo Cape Town, visitors will encounter solutions tailored to these realities, including:

● Detection and suppression systems designed for heritage sites, farms, modern high-rises, and industrial facilities.

● Evacuation and emergency lighting tools optimised for dense urban and mixed-use environments.

● Protective equipment and fire-resistant materials for workers in high-risk sectors like construction and manufacturing.

The co-location of Firexpo with three other expos offers an added advantage: the ability to see how fire protection fits within larger systems. Imagine integrating fire alarms with digital facility dashboards for faster incident response, aligning evacuation strategies with access control systems, or combining occupational safety protocols with fire prevention planning. The result is a holistic approach that strengthens resilience across people, property, and operations.

Firexpo Cape Town is essential for a wide spectrum of decision-makers, including property managers, municipal authorities, farm owners/managers, industrial operators, hospitality leaders, and estate developers. By attending, visitors will not only compare technologies side-by-side, but also connect with suppliers and experts who understand both the region’s regulatory framework and its unique environmental risks.

“Fire safety is not optional — it is a responsibility that affects every organisation. Firexpo Cape Town provides the tools, insights, and connections to act decisively and confidently in protecting lives and livelihoods. To find out more about the expo and to pre-register for quick access to the show, visit www.firexpo.co.za,” says Anderson.

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