Fire Safety Advice for Heritage Properties
Fire can be one of the most devastating disasters that can strike a building, destroying its historical significance in minutes and resulting in the loss of historical collections housed within the building. In addition to the damage caused by heat and smoke, the water used to extinguish the blaze can also cause serious harm to a building's historic fabric and its contents.
Historic England provides fire safety advice for the owners, managers and occupiers of listed and heritage buildings, as well as for fire safety professionals, such as Fire and Rescue Service Inspecting Officers and Fire Risk Assessors.
England's cultural heritage still at risk
In the journal International Fire Professional (Issue 35, February 2021), published by the Institution of Fire Engineers, our National Fire Adviser examined the continuing risk of fire to England's cultural heritage.
Historic England's research identified more than 1,000 fire incidents in 2019 requiring Fire and Rescue Service attendance involving heritage assets and areas, including:
- Listed buildings
- World Heritage Sites
- Conservation Areas and locally listed buildings
Subsequent monitoring by Historic England indicates that fire continues to present a significant risk to the historic environment, with similar levels of incidents identified in subsequent years.
The article discusses measures that could be taken to help reduce risks including national fire statistics and better data for Fire and Rescue Services.
Emergency planning
During a fire at an historic property, the safe evacuation of all occupants, including staff and members of the public, must take precedence over any measures enacted to protect the property. However, in planning for such an event, property owners, staff and trustees must consider the impact that a fire may have on the historic fabric of the property and the collections housed within. This should include the production and testing of a salvage emergency plan and the formal training of staff to enact this plan.
Historic England provides further advice on emergency planning and emergency response plans.
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