CILA optimizes fire protection design and system performance for complex, high-value and high-risk developments.
As an independent engineering firm founded and led by engineer Guillermo Juan, we collaborate with architects, developers and industry leaders to deliver integrated, precise and forward-thinking fire protection solutions across diverse sectors and demanding environments.
OUR TEAM
At CILA, value is not only defined by expertise, but by mindset
Our team of fire protection engineers is united by a deep passion for safety, a dynamic and forward-thinking culture, and a genuine drive to contribute to complex and iconic developments.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
OUR METHODOLOGY
Our approach is rooted in the DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL PROCESS — elevating fire protection engineering beyond compliance
Our methodology is grounded in a clear conviction: Fire Protection Engineering must be strategically integrated from design stages, not introduced as a late compliance layer.
For this reason, we adopt a highly COLLABORATIVE approach, working closely with clients, stakeholders, architects, engineers, and project management teams to define objectives of each project with precision and alignment.
From the conceptual phase onward, we actively participate in key design decisions, ensuring that architectural intent, international code requirements, and operational expectations are coherently integrated. This early involvement allows us to anticipate constraints, optimize technical strategies, and enhance overall project efficiency while protecting design quality and long-term asset value.
Our structure is built around a MULTIDISCIPLINARY HIGH-PERFORMANCE TEAM composed of architects, fire protection engineers, BIM specialists, and professionals with direct experience in engineering development and construction supervision. This combination of technical expertise and real-world implementation knowledge enables us to deliver solutions that are not only technically rigorous, but also constructible, coordinated, and operationally reliable.
Through advanced BIM-BASED COORDINATION, we develop comprehensive design strategies that add measurable value to the project. This integrated workflow enhances interdisciplinary compatibility, minimizes clashes, improves documentation accuracy, and supports efficient execution across complex developments in Latin America and the Caribbean.
We collaborate closely with all disciplines that influence fire and life safety, ensuring the INTEGRATED IMPLEMENTATION OF LIFE SAFETY STRATEGIES within the overall design framework. We understand that true building safety depends on the interaction between compartmentation, evacuation strategy, active systems, building operation, and long-term maintenance. Therefore, our methodology prioritizes systemic coherence rather than isolated technical solutions.
As NFPA CFPS-CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist), we act as primary advisors in FIRE & LIFE SAFETY ENGINEERING, conducting in-depth analysis of means of egress, passive protection, and active fire protection systems under a holistic risk-based perspective. Our role extends beyond prescriptive compliance; we apply advanced engineering judgment to interpret codes, align with international standards, and support high-level technical decision-making.
When project conditions demand it, we implement PERFORMANCE-BASED DESIGN methodologies to exceed minimum code requirements, optimize system efficiency, and achieve superior safety outcomes. This approach allows us to balance regulatory compliance, architectural integrity, operational needs, and cost optimization without compromising safety performance.
In addition to engineering design, our experience in TECHNICAL COORDINATION AND CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION allows us to follow projects through critical execution phases, validating that the installed systems align with the design intent, international standards, and performance expectations. This continuity significantly reduces technical risks, regulatory observations, and operational deficiencies.
Our key differentiator lies in our ability to operate as STRATEGIC FIRE PROTECTION CONSULTANTS, integrating INTERNATIONAL CODES, INTERDISCIPLINARY COORDINATION, and ENGINEERING OPTIMIZATION into a single, structured methodology. This positioning enables us to support high-end developments, international hospitality projects, complex residential buildings, and technically demanding assets where precision, reliability, and regulatory alignment are essential.