Minimally invasive active fire protection systems in heritage timber buildings

Abstract

The implementation of timber construction differs in most countries often symbolizes the country architectural style and represents the historical identity of the local community and its surrounding context. These heritage timber buildings have withstood the test of time and are still standing strong to this day. However, they are highly exposed to the threat of fire due to the combustible nature of the timber material itself. In order to prevent further loss to the heritage timber buildings, many new systems were developed to serve as the active fire protection system for the buildings. The main purpose of this research is to identify the appropriate types of active fire protection systems and their ideal methods of installation in the context of heritage timber buildings. The study begins by understanding the criteria of selection for implementing active fire protection systems and identifying the existing active fire protection systems which are commonly used in heritage buildings. In comparison to the newer buildings, the installation of these systems in heritage timber buildings require minimally invasive method to prevent any further damage to the original building`s structure and should blend in well with the building`s design aesthetic. Several international and local heritage buildings were also documented to determine the active fire protection system implemented in each of the respective buildings and the comparison between each building were evaluated. A variety of methods of implementation and installation were identified and compared. The findings of the research indicate that the selection of active fire protection system was determined based on key factors such as aesthetic, cost, and impact towards the original building structure. The outcome of these research findings would be useful for architects, conservators, and building owners as guidelines for future conservation projects towards heritage timber buildings. Keywords: heritage buildings, timber buildings, building conservation, fire safety, active fire protection system