A Fire Safety Analysis of Historic Centres

The fires that devastated large areas of Los Angeles County in January 2025 have characteristics that are strongly linked to the specificity of the environment and the building techniques used locally. A more general aspect that these fires have highlighted is the topicality of the issue of protecting historic centers from fires that spread to multiple buildings. This issue is very complex because it must take into account specific environmental conditions, linked to low humidity levels at high temperatures and constant winds that transport embers and sparks in a few seconds at great speed and that can easily find ignition in vegetation and then spread to buildings not designed to limit ignition by this type of attack.

An equally important issue concerns the ability to limit and counteract the evolution of the fire through the direct intervention of firefighters and the availability of adequate water resources. Very frequently, moreover, one must take into account the ability to evacuate residents of risk areas with limited warning.

All these considerations, which can be implemented in the planning phase of the development of built-up areas only if there is particular attention to safety, are equally important in historic centers where, for various reasons, interventions are more constrained. In this regard, attention often focuses on the technical problems to be addressed. Even before that, however, it is appropriate to analyze the problems of cultural and procedural nature that make it difficult to address the topic.
A study of interest in this regard is the one published by Aleksander Filip Furmanek “Impact of the Fire Protection Requirements on the Cultural Heritage of the Polish Old Towns—Selected Problems“.

The document, although it refers to a well-defined local context (Polish historical centres), introduces general considerations in its methodology on the criteria to be followed to balance the conflicting needs between conservation, safety and costs that historical centres pose.

The method used

Furmanek employed an interdisciplinary approach combining three research methods to analyse the impact of fire regulations on the architectural heritage of Polish historical centres:

• Historical-interpretative method: This method involved an extensive review of existing literature, including academic studies, historical documents, technical and construction regulations, standards and materials provided by specialist fire solution providers. The main objective was to identify historical trends in fire regulations and assess their impact on architectural heritage. This method proved to be particularly useful for understanding the evolution of fire safety standards in the context of cultural heritage conservation. However, the method relies heavily on the availability and quality of secondary sources, which may introduce some biases or gaps in the analysis.
• Observational method: Observations were conducted in several Polish historical centres. These included on-site visits to assess the implementation of fire safety measures and their physical and visual impact on historic buildings and landscapes. This method provided direct insights into the practical challenges and implications of fire regulations. A limitation of this method is its subjectivity, as observations are inherently influenced by the perspective and scope of the researcher.
• Critical analysis: The critical analysis focused on synthesizing the findings of the literature review and observations, identifying key patterns and challenges. This method was instrumental in assessing the dual impact of fire regulations on safety and heritage conservation. However, its reliance on interpretative judgment may limit the generalizability of the conclusions.

The integration of these three methods allowed Furmanek to provide an understanding of the complex relationship between fire safety measures and architectural heritage values ​​in Polish historical centers.

Main considerations

The author recalls the fact that designing fire safety in Polish historic centres requires careful consideration of several interconnected factors, which often create tensions between the need to ensure safety and the preservation of cultural heritage. The most important considerations of his analysis include:

• Historic building materials: Historic centres feature a variety of traditional building materials, such as wood, stone and brick, each with their own fire reaction characteristics. Wood in particular is highly vulnerable, as demonstrated by fires that have ravaged Polish historic centres throughout history. Solutions must consider the specific risks associated with these materials, integrating fire retardant treatments, careful selection of replacement materials and reversible interventions.
• Street narrowness and accessibility: The narrow streets and dense configuration of buildings in historic centres pose significant challenges for modern firefighting access. The layout of external hydrants, fire roads and water collection points must take these constraints into account, while ensuring safety and respect for the historic context.
• Cultural and contemporary values: Authenticity, integrity and other cultural values ​​are often compromised when safety measures are implemented without considering the historical context. The principles of minimum intervention and reversibility, enshrined in documents such as the Athens Charter and the Venice Charter, must guide design, balancing safety requirements with heritage conservation.
• Fire safety management: A comprehensive management model, such as the one proposed by Mariusz Pecio, is essential to mitigate fire risks in historic centers. This model should include specific risk assessment, evacuation planning, implementation of alarm systems and staff training.
• Exceptions from regulations: In some cases, the strict application of fire regulations may be impractical or detrimental to the conservation of monuments. Exceptions based on technical assessments, supported by numerical analyses such as those offered by the FireRad software, allow for alternative solutions that ensure safety without compromising cultural value.
• Interdisciplinary approach: Designing fire safety in historic centers requires collaboration between architects, engineers, conservators and firefighters. Understanding the history, architecture and cultural values ​​of the site is essential to developing context-sensitive solutions.

Values at Risk

Of particular interest as it is, in our opinion, often forgotten in analyses of fire safety issues in cultural heritage, Fumasek addresses the difficult relationship between safety and conservation.
Fire regulations, while essential for the safety of people and structures, can pose a threat to various cultural heritage values, particularly in historic centers. Furmanek identifies some of these values ​​at risk:

• Authenticity: The introduction of modern fire-retardant materials or fire protection systems can alter the original appearance of historic buildings and compromise their authenticity. For example, replacing wooden facades with fire-retardant materials can improve safety, but alter the aesthetic and symbolic meaning of the building.
• Integrity: The installation of fire-prevention systems, such as sprinklers or alarms, can involve structural interventions that change the original design of buildings, compromising their integrity.
• Testimony to the past: Fire safety measures can obscure or even eliminate structural or decorative elements that are a testimony to the past, compromising the ability of historic buildings to tell the story and evolution of the place.
• Cultural identity: Altering the original appearance of historic buildings can have an impact on the cultural identity of a community, as these buildings often represent a tangible link with the past and contribute to the distinctive character of a place.

The application of fire regulations must therefore be carefully assessed in relation to the specific context of the cultural heritage, seeking to balance safety needs with the preservation of the values ​​that make historic buildings unique.

Final Considerations

Ultimately, designing fire safety in historic centers requires a delicate balance between protecting human life, preserving cultural heritage and respecting the historical context. A holistic approach, based on a solid understanding of the specific constraints and opportunities of each site, is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of these valuable urban environments.