FOCUS
Effective protection As historic sites pose many complexities for fire protection,Amanda Hope considers actions for effective systems and installations
A
FIRE in any building can pose a signifi cant threat and have grave consequences, but historic structures
pose a particularly complex challenge for the people and systems responsible for protecting them. Characteristics of buildings of this nature tend to be complex and varied in their design and construction: the contents will often include furnishings and artefacts of high monetary and historic value, the loss of which would be permanent and costly to our heritage. Ensuring the safety and integrity of the occupants, fabric and contents of these buildings is of paramount importance, especially where large numbers of staff and visitors are involved, such as in stately homes, museums or other historical attractions. An in depth fi re risk assessment needs to be carried out and, in the case of historic structures, this normally needs to be supplemented with a more in depth fi re safety management plan, in line with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The assessment should cover important factors such as active and passive protection
30 OCTOBER 2018
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measures (both in place and required), mitigation of identified risks, staff training, maintenance and review periods.
System selection
At the centre of any active system is the fi re panel – single or multi loop; standalone or networked. The choice available is wide, but not simple, and the installation costs are likely to dwarf equipment prices. For this reason, fi nding a system that is easily installed with fl exible cabling and a range of communication options should be the priority. Given the complexity of these sites, an analogue addressable system that provides more control and scalability is often preferred. With historic sites, a vital consideration is the
extent to which they allow you to subdivide and control the fi re system and its outputs before, during and after a fi re condition. The fi re system should offer multiple cause and effect options to accommodate the wide range of uses, room sizes, layouts, spaces and technical challenges found in such buildings. Heritage buildings are often in remote locations with diffi cult access,
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