Fire Risk Assessment and Protection of Cultural Heritage Buildings

Cultural heritage buildings encompass a vast array of historic, architectural and artistic values that make them irreplaceable components of global identity. These structures often feature combustible materials, irregular layouts and original construction methods that predate modern fire safety standards. Fire risk assessment in this field seeks to identify potential ignition sources, pathways for fire spread and vulnerabilities inherent to the fabric of the building and its surroundings. Methodologies combine qualitative surveys, quantitative modelling and analogue simulation to evaluate hazards, exposure and consequences. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable spatial mapping of risk across complex urban or rural settings, while computational tools such as fire dynamics simulators provide insight into temperature evolution, smoke movement and structural response under fire conditions. Protection strategies integrate active systems—such as alarms, sprinklers and smoke control—with passive measures including fire-resistant coatings, compartmentation and the enhancement of means of escape. Equally important are organisational controls: staff training, emergency planning and community engagement. Advances in risk communication and participatory approaches ensure that conservation objectives are balanced against safety imperatives. As climate change and urbanisation alter the frequency and intensity of fire events, an interdisciplinary framework is essential to safeguard heritage assets and their cultural significance for future generations.

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Fire Risk Assessment and Protection of Cultural Heritage Buildings publication trend

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Technical terms

Flashover: The rapid transition to full-room involvement in fire when all combustible surfaces reach ignition temperature, leading to widespread flame spread.

Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS): A computational fluid dynamics model designed to simulate fire-driven fluid flow and predict temperature, smoke and gas movement.

Geographic Information System (GIS): A spatial analysis platform used to collect, manage and visualise data on the location and characteristics of buildings for risk mapping.

Active fire protection: Systems that require action or activation—such as sprinklers, alarms and smoke ventilation—to detect or suppress fires.

Passive fire protection: Construction features and materials—such as fire-resistant walls, coatings and compartmentation—that inhibit fire spread without mechanical operation.

Vulnerability assessment: The systematic evaluation of a building’s susceptibility to damage based on its construction, use, maintenance and surrounding environment.

References

1. Assessment and Mitigation of the Fire Vulnerability and Risk in the Historic City Centre of Aveiro, Portugal. Fire (2022).
2. Fire Risk Assessment of Heritage Villages: A Case Study on Chengkan Village in China. Fire (2023).
3. CFD-Based Fire Risk Assessment and Control at the Historic Dong Wind and Rain Bridges in the Western Hunan Region: The Case of Huilong Bridge. Sustainability (2022).