4IR Technologies within Germany’s Construction Sector to Meet Fire Protection Standards and International Climate Objectives: A Multiple-Case Study

Abstract

Scholars argue that more industry knowledge is needed to guide construction sector professionals in Germany on how the adoption of digitalization/Construction 4.0 may augment operational efficiency and productivity in the construction sector, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions through property renovations and consequently improving overall industry output. The purpose of this qualitative, multiple-case study was to explore the views of construction industry experts on how Industry 4.0 technologies can enhance productivity within Germany’s construction sector to meet fire protection standards that align with international safety and climate objectives. This study is framed by three concepts: a) Gledson et al.’s (2024) concept of Construction 4.0, b) Ustinovičius et al.’s (2015) concept of building lifecycle management (BLM), and c) Wang et al.’s (2020) concept of building information management (BIM). To answer the central research question, qualitative data was collected from 16 interviews as a multiple-case study, as well as reflective field notes and archive data. The thematic analysis of the data from the interviews revealed 16 themes, which were organized into six coding categories: (a) digitization within Germany’s construction, (b) demand for 4IR technologies in Germany’s construction industry, (c) challenges of 4IR technology adoption in Germany for fire protection, (d) application of 4IR technology adoption in Germany for fire protection, (e) challenges within the German construction industry in meeting energy efficiency in existing buildings, (f) innovation needed within the German construction industry to meet safety and climate objectives. My study results may contribute to enhancing productivity within Germany’s construction sector to meet fire protection standards that align with international safety and climate objectives, as applied to the specific context of the Bavarian fire protection law of 1 August 2023.