Fire Prevention

The process for reducing fire risk is similar to many planning processes that are common in heritage management. It can vary depending on the scale of the site, but it usually encompasses the following stages:

• documenting significant features of a site, and understanding their cultural significance
• defining specific protection objectives for the site, in addition to life safety
• identifying fire hazards to the site
• examining and selecting solutions for protection that meet the safety objectives while minimizing impact on culturally significant aspects of the site

In many cases substantial risk reduction can be made at small cost and with a relatively small effort, through changes in how activities are performed and by ensuring that the means to control any potential outbreaks are readily available. Fire management experts can help carry out site-specific assessments and offer insights into the vulnerabilities facing each site.

There are fire/disaster management experts focused on protecting historic sites and structures to assist with both smaller, as well as more complex structures and sites as each may likely benefit from specific, tailored hazard/risk/vulnerability assessments and insights to at least get started in addressing issues and needs.

Heritage agencies and other bodies can provide guidance for heritage places under their care that takes into account specific conditions of heritage management practice and regulations in their jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions, periodic inspections and assessment of fire risk are required by law. If you are a manager of an historic site, collaborating with your local fire department to develop emergency procedures and protocols is always a good idea.

Understanding the potential causes of fire can help any site manager improve fire prevention measures. Fire can be caused by natural events (such as lightning, or following an earthquake, or from wildfires), due to electrical failures (which can be common in older buildings), through activities such as cooking (for example, during special events), smoking, burning incense, fireworks, from other accidents and negligence, or due to arson.

Building repairs, involving so-called “hot works” (welding, cutting, grinding) represent a highly elevated risk of fire. Fire risk is elevated because new sources of ignition may be present, such as temporary electrical installations, as well as more combustible materials than usual. Chemical paint removers are especially flammable. In most jurisdictions a special permit for such works is required, and sites should have an overall fire safety plan tailored specifically to the additional hazards present during restoration or any construction work. For all the same reasons, even minor maintenance, carried by in-house personnel, can be very risky and requires extra special care.

Whether a heritage place is managed by a small team or by a large professional staff organized into specialized roles, all custodians of a site should be familiar with the site’s emergency plan. This includes knowing how to raise and respond to a fire alarm. Some employees may be given specific tasks in the event of fire: for cultural institutions those may include salvage protocols, such as a plan for rescuing a set of key objects in a collection. Dedicated security personnel will likely receive additional training in emergency response.

Site managers should work ahead of time to put in place lines of communication with any local emergency management agency of office, fire department, hospitals, police, and utility companies (gas, electric).

Building codes typically specify minimum requirements for fire protection, aimed primarily at ensuring life safety. Common fire-protection features for modern buildings include smoke detectors and sprinklers, fire-rated stairs and other means to facilitate safe egress, and compartmented design, to limit the spread of fire. Codes also include provisions for existing buildings. When historic buildings don’t comply with modern design the need to protect culturally significant features can present a challenge for retrofitting, but products and techniques that can improve the fire resistance of elements like doors and floors are increasingly available.

In new construction, care is taken to limit the spread of fire through a building, within the same level and especially between levels. Historic buildings sometimes contain vertical voids that drastically increase the potential of fire to spread to other levels of a building. Undivided roof spaces pose the same challenge.

The U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has issued two widely referenced standards relevant to heritage places: NFPA 914 (Code for the Protection of Historic Structures) and NFPA 909 (Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties - Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship).

Using tailored solutions to meet the desired fire protective objectives represents an alternative approach, in cases when coder requirements are impossible to meet, or when meeting the requirements does not address the desired protection objectives.

Even after the risk of outbreaks has been reduced as much as possible, early detection of fire should be a goal for every site. Fire detection systems work by detecting the presence of heat, smoke, or gases produced by fire. Several different technologies exist, and it is possible to minimize the visual impact of detectors in a historic setting. An alarm is raised, which is also typically received by a remote monitoring center that can immediately call emergency responders. Detection systems should be installed especially throughout spaces containing combustible materials.

Most sites should have ready access to firefighting equipment on their premises, or be equipped with an automatic fire suppression system, or both. The nature and extent of the site will determine what’s appropriate, in accordance with applicable regulations. Firefighting equipment can be as simple as portable fire extinguishers, or even simpler.

Site managers should also ensure that firefighters have easy access to the site.

Sprinklers are the most common automatic fire suppression system. Where they have been installed, sprinkler systems are effective at extinguishing or controlling virtually all fires that break out. Water is only released from outlets immediately close to the fire. Alternatives to sprinklers include water mist systems, which discharge less water, or gas-based systems, which may be ideal for small spaces containing items of high heritage value. Specialist guidance should be consulted, but all these systems can be appropriate for use in historic buildings.

The period immediately after a fire is critical. A burned site must be secured and protected from further damage, which can involve a temporary shelter, and supervision. It is crucial to document the site after a fire and salvage any material that can be salvaged. Buildings will require a structural assessment, while plans should be made for emergency drying of any water-damaged collection items, and to prevent any mold growth. Decisions about reconstruction will depend on a number of factors, including the level of prior documentation, the feasibility of reconstruction, and a community’s desire to rebuild.