Managing Fire Risk in Historic Thatched Buildings: Fid-Bau Portal

Managing Fire Risk in Historic Thatched Buildings

Angold, Roger / Sanders, Marjorie

Every year, between 70 and 100 thatched properties will experience a serious fire. In addition to the irreplaceable loss to the built heritage, the financial cost of reinstatement is now in excess of £200,000 per building on average. The majority of thatch fires are chimney related, and are most often associated with the installation and use of modern multi-fuel appliances. The potential for a fire is entirely dependent on understanding and managing the risks during the design and installation process, and on the subsequent usage patterns of appliances. There are a number of risk minimization construction strategies that can be used in old properties that will not compromise conservation principles. However, when a fire does occur, it is important that firefighters are familiar with the pattern of fire spread in a thatched roof, and know how to recognize the roof construction details designed to protect the rest of the property. Unfortunately, once started, thatch fires are almost impossible to control; therefore, prevention is essential, as if one relies on detection, it is almost always too late to save the property.