This article is by Cathy Sinclair, Vice President, Operations Engineering Manager, London operations FM. It looks at heritage buildings risks and safety for insurance brands active in this sector.
Historic buildings are vital in preserving cultural heritage, showcasing the history, architecture, and craftmanship of past generations while offering educational value and economic benefits. The preservation of historic buildings is also often more sustainable than demolition, contributing to environmental conservation while maintaining a tangible connection to the past.
However, tragic fires in recent years have shown the dangers to which this preservation of heritage is exposed. In 2019, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was devastated by fire and the historic Copenhagen Stock Exchange suffered a similar fate in 2024. These historic structures face heightened risks, particularly during renovation projects. To minimise the risk of potentially devastating fire damage, FM are highlighting four principles building operators and managers could follow to assist with fire protection and prevention:
- Use automatic sprinklers or water mist
In protecting historic buildings, the use of automatic sprinkler systems can be highly valuable for active fire protection. Automatic sprinkler systems fight fires automatically, directly, and selectively while slowing down the spread of a blaze, containing the fire until emergency services arrive. Concerns regarding the potential for accidental activation and extensive water damage caused by extinguishing water are reduced when it is considered that modern, certified and tested sprinkler systems such as those approved by FM are reliable and only trigger in the affected areas when necessary.
Sprinkler pipework requires a certain amount of space and installation work, although in comparison to many passive fire protection methods, this is often significantly lower. As an alternative, water mist systems can offer effective fire protection through the atomization of water into a fine mist under high pressure. Unlike traditional sprinklers, fires are not fought by reducing the temperature, but by removing oxygen through the water mist which “smothers” the fire. Systems that use water mist are particularly suited to historic buildings, as they require less water and smaller pipes, allowing for easier, less intrusive installation while effectively smothering fires by reducing oxygen.
- Prioritise Safe Renovation Practices: Limit Hot Work
Although often essential for the preservation of historic buildings, renovation and repair work on historic buildings tends to involve risks, as it is not always possible to work exclusively with original materials. Welding and the use of grinders on steelwork generates heat, and flying sparks which can pose a significant fire risk in historic buildings. Therefore, building operators should ideally work with construction companies to find alternative methods such as using screwed connections instead of welded connections. Additionally, steel parts can be delivered pre-cut instead of being cut to length on site.
If hot work is essential, it must be carried out carefully with strict precautions followed. This applies not only to the execution of the work, but also for a certain period afterwards. Fire watch personnel should be constantly present in the hot work area from the outset until one hour after the work ends, including during breaks. After the fire watch, the hot work area (including all areas into which hot material may have fallen) should be monitored regularly for up to three hours post-completion to prevent delayed ignition.
- Go Beyond Regulatory Minimums for Future-Proof Protection
Current fire safety regulations should only be regarded as a baseline or minimum standard, particularly in the case of historic buildings where it is advisable to go beyond this. Going beyond the minimum standard ensures better long-term protection and may prevent costly retrofits if future regulations become more stringent. Such buildings are intended to be preserved indefinitely; there is no amount of time after which a building is systematically dismantled, as can often be the case with industrial structures.
As a result, fire protection methods should be forward-thinking and designed to last, helping protect the immense cultural and financial value of historic buildings. Those who exceed the legal minimum standard of fire safety regulations not only improve historic building resilience but are also likely to be spared the cost of retrofitting in the future.
- Consider electrical systems in risk prevention
One of the most common causes of fire is faulty or outdated electrical systems, particularly in older or poorly maintained buildings. The modernisation of electrical systems in addition to a regular preventative maintenance programme for equipment is vital for owners and operators of historic buildings to minimise fire risks. Such programmes should include checking electrical connections and electrical equipment for signs of overheating and ensuring that electrical systems are adequately sized, properly maintained and protected for the occupancy.
It is also important to ensure that electrical equipment is kept in optimal conditions – clean, dry, cool, and tight.
Employees should be trained to operate electrical equipment correctly, particularly in the case of emergencies. New technologies such as remote monitoring can also reduce risk by allowing for faster response times while also saving labour costs. Conclusion
Due to their structural composition and complexity, historic buildings are often exposed to unique fire risks, particularly during renovations. Therefore, the implementation of modern protection measures is essential, particularly during renovation work. Installing advanced sprinkler systems and updated electrical systems in historic buildings can provide active fire protection and prevention with minimal structural interference.
As incidents in recent years have shown, carefully managing construction work while following modern protection measures is crucial for preserving these irreplaceable structures.
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