Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TÜBA-KED Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi Kültür Envanteri Dergisi, cilt.0, sa.24, ss.205-221, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)
Fires threaten cultural heritage and lead to irreversible damages. Loss of life, destruction of buildings and traditional
urban tissues are among possible consequences of fire. Major causes of fires that occur at cultural heritage buildings
include deficiencies in electrical installations, electrical appliances used during restoration works, unmaintained
chimneys, and fire safety negligence. In addition to these factors, historic urban tissues in Turkey are highly
vulnerable to fires because of the use of timber as a building material, lack of maintenance, state of condition of
buildings, and difficulties in accessing narrow streets in case of emergencies. Fires are often preventable if measures
are undertaken at all levels of decision-making processes. The existence and implementation of fire risk management
policies that provide guidance regarding the management of fire risk is critical in order to prevent fires through
effective measures. However, studies that examine the international and national fire risk management policies and
regulatory frameworks are limited.
In this context, this study aims to assess policies on fire risk management of cultural heritage by comparing the cases
of Turkey and England. First, several examples of the exposure of cultural heritage to fire hazard are presented, and
viable fire risk management policies are discussed. Second, international policies regarding fire risk safety for built
heritage are examined by focusing on the Confederation of Fire Protection Associations Europe (CFPA-Europe) and
National Association of Fire Protection (NFPA). Next, legal frameworks and administrative structures in England
and Turkey are evaluated at a national level in terms of their fire risk management policies for cultural heritage. The
paper is concluded with suggestions on fire risk management policies for the conservation of cultural heritage based
on a comparative analysis of the cases. This research reveals that both England and Turkey examples should have
explanatory and legally binding regulations on the fire risk management of cultural heritage.