"Passive fire protection is meant to save lives. This is achieved through measures and installations that prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke, allowing enough time for evacuation and fire and rescue services," emphasizes Tim Thyssen. "Initially, KBS Systems only provided fire protection products, but due to our expertise, we were asked to also handle the installation. Even today, we are primarily installers with a strong technical background. Our focus is on passive fire protection based on all legal requirements." 

Products from Renowned Manufacturers

Regulations have been continuously improved over the years. "We rely on fire protection solutions for various prevention scenarios. This includes infrastructural, structural, technical, and organizational measures, which are combined into a fire protection concept," says Tim Thyssen. "For this, we use products from renowned manufacturers, which are a guarantee of quality." Passive fire protection measures offered by KBS Systems, which are not only provided but also installed on site and maintained as needed, include fire-retarding fire doors and tunnel doors, fire gates, shutters and curtains, as well as fire-resistant cable coatings and fireproof casings, and fire protection solutions for load-bearing structures, sealing of duct penetrations and ventilation ducts, and the use of fire-retardant building materials. "Before deciding on a product, we review the local conditions with our client and decide after a thorough analysis which solution fits," says Tim Thyssen. "Our extensive technical know-how helps us in this." Fire-resistant, fire-retarding doors and gates ensure that a fire cannot spread. "Our fire doors and gates comply with all Belgian and European legal regulations," explains Tim Thyssen. 

35,000 objects in three years

Especially door installations are in demand in many public buildings such as parking garages, tunnels, or cinemas, but primarily in the industrial sector. "The heavy-duty industry, with names like Arcor Mital, Tata Steel, and many others, is a client of ours. Besides, we serve the energy market, the data center segment, and the construction sector. For the latter, think of shopping centers, stores, or factories," says Tim Thyssen. Since every 'Customer Journey' is digitally recorded, Tim Thyssen can present impressive figures: In the last three years, 35,000 objects were installed, including almost 1,000 doors in the past two years alone, and 120,000 kg of coating and 31,000 kg of mortar were processed. "We have become a reliable advisor and installer who offers everything from a single source. While competitors often only serve one segment, we can cover all segments. This comprehensive expertise is an advantage when we soon appear on the German market," says Tim Thyssen. Sustainability is also becoming increasingly important. Of course, legal requirements must be met, but in selecting the solutions used, KBS Systems looks at which suppliers work sustainably. "In principle, a fire-resistant seal lasts a lifetime," says Tim Thyssen. "Quality is also a major factor in achieving the goal of sustainability." 

Here's to good cooperation

Today, KBS Systems employs 180 staff at its branches in Belgium and France. The holding company, which includes fire protection technology, control & protection, and automation areas, generates 23 million EUR in sales, with KBS Systems in Belgium and France accounting for 13 to 14 million EUR. "We want to increase our presence in the German market and further develop France in the future," says Tim Thyssen. "In doing so, we can rely on good employees. We have a low-threshold corporate culture and maintain a family-like approach. After all, our business is based primarily on people. Participation is important and we do everything to take our employees along on our journey. We want to maintain this in the future as well, because without good personnel, we would never have come so far."