Hilti's Holistic Approach to Building Safety

^{Written by Rhizlaine Benabid | May 8, 2025}

A building's safety is determined by its most vulnerable part. While safety is often addressed in silos, Hilti approaches it as an integrated system that combines structural integrity, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) system stability and fire protection into a unified strategy. By addressing all three areas specifiers and contractors can enhance resilience and longevity in construction.

Francesco Mendolia, global product Manager at Hilti, shares his insights on how we support customers in embedding safety from design to installation and beyond.

Laying the groundwork: Safety through regulations

Safety starts with strong regulations. They set the foundation for safer construction and drive industry progress. Clear standards and tested methodologies provide a reliable base for embedding safety throughout a project’s lifecycle.

“Let’s take fire safety in timber construction, for example. As timber becomes more popular as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel, addressing its fire protection challenges has become increasingly important,” Francesco adds. 

Hilti has been collaborating with Technical University of Munich and ETH Zurich to advance firestop testing and improve technical guidelines, helping to establish greater adoption of this material.

Through the Hilti Engineering Center, the company also provides ongoing training to engineers, via webinars and expert-led courses, on topics like seismic design, anchoring systems and fire protection requirements.

From design to installation: Enabling structural integrity 

Even the most well-designed buildings can fail if specifications are misinterpreted or poorly followed. “At Hilti, our solutions are designed to help teams implement safety as planned, from design through to installation,” says Francesco.

At the design stage, PROFIS Engineering, a cloud-based Hilti-developed software, helps over 100,000 engineers worldwide create code-compliant and value-optimized structural connections, enabling proper anchoring design and load distribution.

In earthquake-prone regions, modular support systems can provide essential bracing for MEP installations, supporting system stability even under extreme conditions.

Fire protection is equally crucial. Preformed firestop solutions, such as firestop blocks, enable easier installation and help contractors meet fire resistance standards.

Building with precision: Digital technology for safer construction

Modern construction demands precision, speed and compliance, with digital tools playing a crucial role.

By integrating building information modelling (BIM) and Fieldwire into a project, Hilti helps teams bridge the gap between office and jobsite. 

BIM supports accurate design decisions early in the project, while Fieldwire gives engineers and field crews real-time access to plans and tasks, helping to bring specifications to life on site and to reduce installation errors. Together, these tools can support greater consistency, better communication and higher-quality builds.

Beyond Products: Expertise that strengthens safety

Safety does not end when materials are delivered. It also requires oversight, expertise and ongoing support. With 1,000+ technical specialists worldwide, we provide both on-site and remote assistance, helping teams to resolve design challenges, align with code compliance and optimize installation.

“Through our project management offices and value engineering hubs, we delivered 400,000+ hours of technical support last year alone, helping to make safety not just an expectation but an achievable reality for every project,” says Francesco

Safety as a strategic advantage

A safer building is not just one that is in compliance, it’s one that stands the test of time, delivers reliable performance, improves project efficiency and gives owners and project teams lasting confidence in the work they deliver.

As Francesco puts it: “For us, safety isn’t a checkbox, it’s a mindset that runs through everything we do, from product innovation to on-site support. When it comes to safety, you can build on us. In construction, safety is often seen as a challenge. At Hilti, we see it as a competitive edge.”