Tirana high-rise growth outpaces fire safety regulations

The rapid vertical expansion of Tirana, with buildings now exceeding 100 to 200 meters, is outpacing the modernization of fire safety regulations in Albania. During the ‘Tirana Fire Safety 2026’ conference, experts highlighted that current legislative frameworks were designed for lower, simpler structures and are insufficient for the complexity of modern high-rises.

New risks associated with contemporary construction include complex facades, advanced ventilation and smoke control systems, photovoltaic panels, and underground electric vehicle charging stations. Nikolin Risilia, president of SFPE Albania, noted a critical gap: the lack of a unified, contemporary Fire Code adapted to these advanced building typologies. Experts emphasized that safety must be integrated into the initial design phase and supported by rigorous oversight during both construction and building use to manage the transition from horizontal to vertical safety challenges.