Fire Protection in Historic Buildings Some principles Case

Fire Protection in Historic Buildings Some principles & Case Studies Dawson Stelfox Consarc Conservation, Architects Consarc Design Group Ltd.

Loss The consequences of fire Prevention Precautions during Construction Resilience Sensitively inserting fire precautions into historic fabric .

Loss Parliament Buildings Stormont 1995 Fire Commons Chamber burnt out – extensive smoke damage elsewhere

BEFORE FIRE

BURNT OUT

BURNT OUT

The Senate chamber-original space unaffected by the fire

The Great Hall Smoke damage only – sensitively cleaned but no loss of historic fabric – not even the original paint

The Long Gallery – a new space, with contemporary interior in a classical style

Sifting through debris Artefact Store Salvage Rectified Photographic survey 1: 1 to 1: 10 scale detail drawings 3 D relationship of elements recorded

RESTORED

Prevention Fire precautions during construction

Hot Works Awareness of Risk Permits Precautions

Hot Works Awareness of Risk Permits Precautions Plan off site operations where possible and design out hot work where feasible Methodology includes review and monitoring post work. Restrictions such as • no hot work after 3 pm • No hot work on Fridays • No hot work in last months of project • Dedicated fire watch team

Construction fire precautions – primary purpose is protection of workers

Temporary Fire Safety measures

Construction phase temporary fire partitions to compartment the building – primary purpose asset protection

Resilience – Sensitively inserting fire precautions into historic fabric

Castle Leslie –transforming a family home to public hotel

Ashford Castle – achieving fire safety standards whilst retaining character

Fire performance of fabric wall linings – individual testing

Detection Early detection can minimise damage – VESDA aspiration systems give early warning and precise fire location

Issues – penetrations through partitions voids behind door linings

Issues – performance of panelled doors –how to assess and improve? gaps behind architraves

Record of fires travelling fast through attic voids – favourite routes for services distribution and collection of waste material Partitioning of Attic voids –Rockwool fire blanket system- breathable and reversible

Fire Protection in Historic Buildings Conclusions Dawson Stelfox Consarc Conservation, Architects Consarc Design Group Ltd.