Fire & Historic Buildings

The Course

An informative day considering the issues relating to fire and historic buildings, including the spread and growth of fire and how it affects traditional building materials, handling fire insurance claims, fire safety interventions and what the law requires, and fire in thatched buildings.

Programme

• The spread and growth of fire and how it affects traditional building materials, looking at the way that fire grows and spreads, to put into context the fire resistance of walls doors and ceilings, and the spread of fire beyond the building of origin, with case studies of historic town centre fires. (Steve Emery)
• Coffee
• Handling fire insurance claims: the causes of fire in old properties, the chronology of dealing with a large fire claim, and the influence of outside professionals. The effects of under-insurance and how to avoid them. (Anca Dutu)
• Lunch
• Fire safety interventions and what the law requires: looking at the Fire Safety Order, Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, and the sympathetic retro-fitting of fire safety devices including sprinklers, water mist, detection, signs and notices. (Steve Emery)
• Tea
• Fire and thatched buildings: (Mark White)

The Tutors

Steve Emery joined Avon Fire Brigade in 1974 and spent 15 years as an operational fire fighter before gaining a wealth of experience as a Fire Safety Officer in Bath, a World Heritage City. He worked there for 12 years, developing innovative solutions to fire safety problems, which were sympathetic to the historic fabric. In 2001, he was seconded to English Heritage as their Fire Safety Adviser. He provides advice on all matters concerning the protection of English Heritage’s premises, staff and other assets against damage caused by fire. He also provides advice to owners and property managers of Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments on all matters concerning the provision of fire safety measures in their buildings. He chairs the IFE Special Interest Group for Heritage Buildings and the Training Sub-Group of the DCMS Emergency Planning Group.

Mark White is the Community Safety Delivery Manager with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Anca Dutu MSc, Prince 2, ACII is an experienced insurance professional working for NFU Mutual, the UK’s leading thatch insurer. She is a Class Underwriter for Personal Lines Property and Motor insurances and the Thatch portfolio underwriter with a keen interest in historic and heritage buildings and prevention of fire losses.

Participant Information

No special clothing or equipment is required for this course.

Fee & Refreshments

£115 per person, to include teas, coffees and a light lunch. Please let the Museum know in advance any special dietary requirements.