Preserving history's treasures: Advancing fire safety for legacy buildings and monuments

Across history, people have built monuments that reflect their culture, creativity and vision. From the pyramids of Giza and the cathedrals of Europe to the forts and temples of Asia, each monument is a thread that connects us to our history. 

With passing years, these monuments have become fragile. In the process of preserving these monuments, fire has always posed the greatest danger. History has given us painful reminders of the devastation fire can cause. 

When Notre Dame burned in Paris, people around the world watched the icon burn in disbelief. Fire incidents at Brazil’s National Museum, Windsor Castle and historic temples in India are powerful reminders that fire can erase centuries of history in an instant. Each loss reinforces one message: Heritage is fragile without protection.

Challenge of protecting legacy structures
Protecting historic buildings demands advanced fire safety solutions. Most of these heritage buildings were constructed long before modern safety codes existed, using materials that are more prone to fire. Their materials like wood beams, fabric draped, paints that ignite quickly and outdated wiring makes them more susceptible to fire while the critical fire suppression systems are missing. 

The design of these structures adds another layer of difficulty. Narrow stairs and limited doorways delay evacuation and entry.  The challenge now is to secure these monuments without erasing the qualities that make them historic.

Innovative solutions for safeguarding heritage 
Modern technology is addressing the challenges in protecting heritage structures. Many companies, including Honeywell, are advancing innovations in smart, wireless fire detectors and advanced predictive analysis systems. 

These advanced systems are integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) enabling accurate detection at mobile device/remote locations which empowers planned evacuation at critical moments. Modern fire safety solutions are also cloud-based and allow remote monitoring of sites and provide real-time view of data that might signal danger. 

Today, we have multi criteria detectors that scan for changes in heat that might signal danger, and advanced early detectors like VESDA and Li-ion which track chemical shifts that reveal early signs of combustion. Protective coatings have also improved as the transparent sealants now cover wood, fabric or stone without altering how they appear. 

Retrofitting is also reshaping how we think about protecting old structures. These treatments delay ignition, giving fire crews more time to act. Moreover, deployment of hybrid architecture (which includes wireless and wired solutions) can enable flexibility where locations do not require any drilling or rewiring to be installed, adding to preserving the originality of these structures. This ensures visitors to have an authentic experience of admiring the site as well.

Suppression methods have also advanced in the recent years. For instance, traditional sprinklers poured heavy streams of water that often damaged manuscripts, painted ceilings, or wooden carvings. This is no longer the case as modern mist systems release fine particles that cool flames while leaving surfaces relatively untouched. 

Many gas-based suppression methods that used to leave stains or chemical residue now have environment and occupant friendly alternates, smothering the fire without producing stains or chemical residue. 

Adding to these advancements, having internal barriers too help to separate parts of a building and keep flames from spreading unchecked. Compartmentalization has already saved several structures by containing damage to one area.  

Rising temperatures and stronger winds can make natural landscapes more prone to fire. The same pressures creep into urban environments and heritage zones. Old wiring struggles under higher heat, and dry air makes ancient timber even more flammable. Accordingly, we need to adapt to these changes and advance our fire safety systems.

Governments, archaeological departments, and cultural organizations must work together to prepare site-specific fire safety plans. Some locations require advanced sensors, while others will benefit more from coatings, barriers, or mist suppression. There should be proper and continuous training in place. 

Fire brigades are not an afterthought; they should be integrated into planning at an early stage rather. To preserve heritage is to respect our history. Every monument carries a message from the past. Fire not only destroys it, but it also takes away that message. Advancing technological innovations can help us protect heritage and pass down the history for the future generations.

-- Mandar Sawant, GM, Building Automation, Honeywell India.