Impact of the Fire Protection Requirements on the Cultural Heritage of the Polish Old Towns—Selected Problems

Abstract

The article examines the complex and not yet extensively researched problem of the impact of fire safety regulations in Poland, including associated methods and devices, on cultural heritage, with a focus on historical architecture and its surroundings in Polish historical urban centers. It addresses a broad interdisciplinary field, summarizing issues from architecture and urban planning, the conservation of monuments, and fire safety, as well as structural safety, safety engineering, and axiology. The core question is how fire protection methods and measures affect the values of architectural heritage, including historical buildings, their immediate neighborhoods, and the broader cultural landscape. The study employs the historical–interpretive research method, which primarily based on an analysis of the literature, technical and construction regulations, standards, and materials provided by suppliers of specialized solutions, which are supplemented by observational and critical analysis methods. The main findings indicate that the rigorous application of fire safety regulations can both safeguard human life and property and, at the same time, pose risks to the authenticity and integrity of historical architecture. These findings highlight the importance of tailored solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration to balance safety with the preservation of cultural heritage.

1. Introduction

Sustainable development is an extensively researched topic that has been explored across various disciplines, including architecture, urban planning, and cultural heritage conservation. While these fields often operate independently, their intersection with fire safety regulations creates an area of study that remains insufficiently examined. This article seeks to address this gap by investigating how fire safety measures, regulations, and devices impact the architectural and cultural values of Polish historical urban centers.

Sustainable development, both as a theoretical paradigm and practical goal, serves as a bond connecting architecture, conservation, and fire safety. Numerous studies have focused on sustainable approaches to cities [1,2,3,4], while significant doctrinal documents, such as the New Charter of Athens (2003) [5], the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities [6], and the Aalborg Charter [7], have shaped the discourse. Additional topics, including the interplay between the natural environment and cultural heritage [8], climate change mitigation [9], and innovations such as kinetic green façades [10], green features [11], and solar heating systems [12], illustrate the breadth of research in the field. Cost-related challenges [13] and the integration of artificial intelligence in urban planning and safety engineering [14] further emphasize the complexity of sustainability in built environments.

However, despite this extensive body of work, the sustainable development of historical urban centers within the context of fire safety regulations has not been fully explored. This study builds on prior literature to analyze how fire protection requirements influence architectural heritage, both positively and negatively. Specifically, it addresses the values of historical buildings, their surrounding neighborhoods, and broader cultural landscapes.

The research employs a historical–interpretive research method, supplemented by observational studies and critical analysis, to investigate these issues. It draws on a wide range of sources, including the literature, technical standards, construction regulations, and materials provided by suppliers of specialized solutions. The study’s findings aim to provide a systematized understanding of the interplay between fire safety measures and the values of historical architecture, identifying both challenges and opportunities.

By focusing on Polish old towns, this research highlights a duality: while fire safety regulations are critical for protecting people and structures, they may inadvertently compromise the authenticity and integrity of cultural heritage. This article advocates for a balanced approach that harmonizes safety requirements with heritage preservation, offering insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.

2. Materials and Methods

This study draws on the interdisciplinary foundations of three key disciplines: architecture and urban planning, heritage protection, and safety engineering. These fields provide the theoretical and practical framework for analyzing the impact of fire safety regulations on the cultural and architectural values of historical urban centers. The research addresses essential themes, including the cultural and contemporary values of heritage, conservation methods for historical monuments, and the specific challenges faced by Polish old towns regarding fire safety. These topics were explored through an integration of the literature review [15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23], an analysis of historical charters [24,25], and case studies of urban centers, providing a holistic perspective on the subject.

The study employs an interdisciplinary approach to analyze the relationship between fire safety regulations and the values of historical architecture in Polish old towns. Three research methods were utilized: the historical–interpretive method, the observational method, and critical analysis. Each of these methods was chosen based on its relevance to the research objectives and its ability to address the unique challenges posed by this interdisciplinary topic.

I. Historical-interpretive method:

This method involved an extensive review of the literature, technical and construction regulations [26,27], standards, and materials provided by suppliers of specialized fire safety solutions. Its primary purpose was to identify historical trends in fire safety regulations and assess their impact on architectural heritage. This method is particularly valuable for understanding the evolution of fire safety standards in the context of cultural heritage preservation. However, it relies heavily on the availability and quality of secondary sources, which may introduce certain biases or gaps in the analysis.

II. Observational method:

Observations were conducted in selected historical urban centers in Poland. These included site visits to evaluate the implementation of fire safety measures and their physical and visual impact on historical buildings and landscapes. This method provided firsthand insights into the practical challenges and implications of fire safety regulations. A limitation of this method is its subjectivity, as observations are inherently influenced by the researcher’s perspective and scope. Additionally, the method does not provide quantitative data, which could complement the qualitative findings.

III. Critical analysis:

The critical analysis focused on synthesizing findings from the literature review and observations, identifying key patterns and challenges. This method was instrumental in evaluating the dual impact of fire safety regulations on safety and heritage preservation. However, its reliance on interpretative judgment may limit the generalizability of the conclusions.

Limitations of the methodology:

While the chosen methods provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem, they also have inherent limitations. The lack of quantitative data restricts the ability to draw statistically significant conclusions, and the focus on Polish historical urban centers may limit the applicability of findings to other contexts. Future research could address these limitations by incorporating empirical data collection, such as surveys or experimental studies, as well as expanding the scope to include comparative studies of international cases.

3. Results

3.1. Cultural and Contemporary Values of Heritage

Conservation theory identifies a wide range of values as central to cultural heritage preservation. Among these, authenticity and integrity are often considered paramount, as they directly relate to the historical and cultural significance of architectural heritage. Other critical values include cultural identity, testimony of the past, state of preservation, originality, aesthetics, structural condition, and utility. Together, these values provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the importance of heritage in both historical and contemporary contexts.

The application of fire safety regulations often poses challenges to preserving these values. Authenticity and integrity are particularly vulnerable when modern fire-resistant materials replace historical components or when structural interventions alter the original design. For instance, the installation of fire protection systems, such as sprinklers or alarms, can disrupt the spatial disposition of buildings and compromise their structural condition. Observational data from Polish old towns, such as Toruń and Cracow, highlight these tensions, with conservationists frequently debating the trade-offs between safety and preservation.

Foundational documents, such as the Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historic Monuments (1931) [24] and the Venice Charter (1964) [25], provide guiding principles for balancing safety requirements with heritage preservation. These charters emphasize the importance of preserving the original message of architecture, its memory, and its homage to the past. However, modern safety requirements often necessitate changes that conflict with these principles, leading to shifts in criteria for both aesthetic and ethical values. For example, the replacement of wooden façades with fire-resistant materials may improve safety but can alter the aesthetic and symbolic significance of a building.

The study also identified critical problem areas related to the use and perception of heritage buildings. Key issues include attitudes toward the past, the adaptation of buildings inherited from previous generations, and the role of architecture in fostering a common ethos. These challenges are further complicated by societal changes, which have introduced new criteria for evaluating the aesthetic and ethical values of historical structures. The observational and analytical methods used in this study revealed that balancing these competing priorities requires a nuanced approach, as overly rigid safety measures risk undermining the broader cultural and symbolic roles of heritage buildings.

Foundational studies and documents further contextualize these challenges. Marian Arszyński’s Idea—Memory—Care [15] provides a historical perspective on the evolution of monument conservation practices, highlighting the significance of cultural identity and memory in preservation efforts. Similarly, Basista [17] and Trojanowska [9] explore the intersection of architecture, cultural heritage, and contemporary challenges such as climate change. Their work underscores the importance of maintaining both physical structures and the intangible values they represent, such as testimony of the past and homage to architectural traditions.

The findings of this study highlight the dual impact of fire safety regulations on cultural heritage:

• Cultural and contemporary values of heritage: Authenticity, integrity, and other values are frequently at risk when safety measures are implemented without consideration of historical context.
• Conservation methods for historical monuments: Foundational documents like the Athens and Venice Charters emphasize preservation but require adaptation to modern challenges.
• Specific challenges in Polish old towns: Issues such as historic building materials, fire safety management, and the integration of modern safety systems often conflict with conservation goals.
• The dual impact of fire safety regulations: While they enhance safety, these measures may inadvertently compromise the cultural and architectural integrity of historical sites.

These findings underscore the need for a balanced approach to fire safety that respects both the cultural and contemporary values of heritage and the practical demands of modern engineering.

3.2. Rules and Methods in the Conservation of Historic Monuments

The conservation of historic monuments is guided by well-established principles and methodologies, many of which have been shaped by foundational documents like the Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historic Monuments (1931) [24] and the Venice Charter (1964) [25]. These documents emphasize the need for preserving the authenticity and integrity of monuments while allowing for necessary adaptations to contemporary challenges.

One of the primary rules in conservation is the principle of minimal intervention, which seeks to maintain as much of the original material and design as possible. This principle is closely tied to the idea of reversibility, where any changes made should be reversible, ensuring that future conservationists can return to the original state of the structure if necessary. However, modern fire safety regulations often challenge these principles. For instance, the installation of fire-resistant barriers or fire alarm systems can involve irreversible alterations to historical structures.

Another critical rule is the use of appropriate scale and materials when introducing new elements into a historical environment. As stated in the Venice Charter, new constructions or extensions within historical sites should be clearly distinguishable but harmonized with the original design. In practice, this rule often leads to debates among conservationists, particularly when fire safety requirements necessitate the addition of modern materials or systems that may not align aesthetically with the historical context.

The observational studies conducted in Polish old towns reveal numerous challenges in adhering to conservation principles while implementing modern fire protection systems. One of the recurring issues is the visual impact of such systems on historic skylines and interiors, where the addition of fire-resistant materials or devices often clashes with the aesthetic and cultural integrity of the structures. These tensions highlight the broader debate between ensuring safety and preserving the unique character of historical urban landscapes.

Foundational methodologies also play a crucial role in conservation efforts. These methodologies often involve interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on expertise from architects, engineers, and conservators. For instance, the historical–interpretive method used in this study emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of a monument before implementing any conservation measures. This approach is complemented by observational studies and critical analysis, which provide insights into the practical implications of conservation strategies.

Despite the robust framework provided by these rules and methods, the application of fire safety measures often requires compromises. The findings of this study suggest that a more flexible regulatory framework, which takes into account the specific needs of historical buildings, could help balance safety requirements with the preservation of cultural values.

3.3. Specificity of Polish Old Towns’ Problems with Fires

The history of Polish cities varies depending on the region and past events, so it is difficult to find one pattern that would represent the whole. However, all of them are a product of European culture, whose roots reach back to ancient times in the Mediterranean area. The vast majority of the most culturally valuable urban centers in Poland date back to the Middle Ages and have gradually evolved over the centuries to the present day. This path was not easy, as disasters such as fires periodically devastated these towns. Wooden architecture, once dominant in Polish towns, proved particularly vulnerable to fire, leading to its gradual replacement with brick structures. For example, the Old Town in Toruń (Figure 1a) is an example of medieval center that has retained much of its original character thanks to the predominance of brick construction, which is more fire-resistant. However, fires remained a significant threat even in such towns—often due to dense urban layouts and limited access for firefighting services [28].

During World War II, many Polish cities suffered catastrophic damage, often caused or exacerbated by fires. In Warsaw, deliberate arson by German forces following the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 devastated the Old Town, which was later reconstructed, including the Royal Castle (Figure 1b). Similarly, the city center of Gdańsk experienced massive destruction, with 90% of its cultural values lost after multi-day fires during its liberation in January 1945 (Figure 2a). Post-war reconstruction efforts in these cities illustrate the ongoing tension between restoring historical authenticity and meeting modern safety standards [29] (p. 19).

Accessibility for modern firefighting equipment remains a persistent challenge in many Polish old towns. Narrow streets, dense building configurations, and the historical value of these areas often hinder the implementation of fire safety measures, such as external fire hydrants and wide access roads. For example, the Old Town of Szczecin, significantly damaged during World War II, has faced difficulties in rebuilding its fire safety infrastructure due to the need to preserve its historical character (Figure 2b).

Such interdisciplinary problems were noticed in the example of a medium-sized town like Toruń and its neighborhood in another author’s work entitled Selected Problems of Spatial Order and Cultural Heritage in the Aspect of the Economic Development under the Influence of European Integration and Globalisation on the Example of Toruń and its Surroundings [30].

These historical and contemporary challenges underscore the complexity of implementing fire safety measures in Polish old towns. Solutions must respect the unique architectural and cultural characteristics of these areas while addressing the practical demands of modern safety engineering.

3.4. Historic Building Materials of Polish Old Towns’ Relicts

Building materials have different characteristics in terms of their reaction to fire and their fire load, which may pose a risk of major or minor fire. The effect of a fire is often the collapse of a building or its part, as was the case with the historic Müller Hotel in the center of Ciechocinek (Figure 3a). Traditional materials such as stone, brick, and wood have demonstrated these characteristics over centuries of use in the built environment.

On the sidelines, however, it should be noted that fires were once only one of many causes of the destruction of cultural heritage resources. An example of this is the no longer existing Town Hall on the Market Square in Kraków. The demolition of its main part in the early 19th century was not due to a fire, for example, but to the deterioration of its technical condition, after the adjacent unused building was demolished. Paradoxically, the only thing left of the old Town Hall is the Town Hall Tower, which, ironically, had previously been partially burned down several times (Figure 3b).

Wood is particularly vulnerable to fire, regardless of the species [31]. The degree of flammability depends on its physical properties, primarily on the apparent density and dimensions of the products. Wood species also differ in whether they are easy or difficult to ignite. For this reason, they can be classified into two groups: easily flammable (softwood, such as poplar and coniferous species) and difficult to ignite (hardwood, such as deciduous species). For example, the use of wooden structural elements, such as beams, columns, or rafters, is particularly risky in the context of fire safety [32]. During the liberation of Gdańsk in January 1945, a large portion of the city’s historic wooden structures was destroyed in fires that raged for days after the city was captured. Such losses underscore the importance of preserving the few remaining authentic wooden elements, such as the uncovered wooden supporting structures of the Rotter’s Mill in Bydgoszcz (Figure 4b).

A good example of the challenges associated with wooden materials are historic wooden verandas, numerous examples of which have been preserved in Gdańsk’s district of Oliwa. This issue has been discussed in detail by Daria Bręczewska-Kulesza and Grzegorz Wieloch in their article [33]. These verandas, often attached to brick facades, highlight several fire safety challenges, including the risk of ignition from the exterior, the easy spread of fire indoors, and the potential for radiating heat to nearby structures. The same authors in another article [34] drew attention to a related issue involving wooden porches, which face similar risks. These cases demonstrate the broader tension between preserving wooden architectural features and addressing their inherent fire risks. Although wooden verandas in Gdańsk-Oliwa are just one example, they illustrate the need for comprehensive solutions that integrate architectural, conservation, and fire safety approaches.

Stone and brick, while more fire-resistant than wood, are not entirely immune to damage. High temperatures can weaken these materials, causing cracking or even partial collapse. The west façade of the Teutonic Castle in Olsztyn (Figure 4a) illustrates how stone and brick structures, though durable, require careful maintenance to address fire-related vulnerabilities. Such examples highlight the dual role of historic building materials: they contribute to the aesthetic and structural integrity of cultural heritage while simultaneously presenting unique challenges in fire safety management.

The study emphasizes the importance of balancing fire safety measures with the preservation of historical materials. Fireproofing treatments for wood, the careful selection of replacement materials, and reversible interventions are among the strategies that can help mitigate fire risks while respecting the authenticity and cultural significance of these structures. These solutions require an interdisciplinary approach that considers both the practical demands of safety engineering and the principles of heritage conservation.

The importance of building materials in the context of architecture and urban planning, heritage protection, and fire safety is summarized in

Table 1. Interest in three particular areas (architecture and urban planning, heritage protection, fire safety) in selected problems related to building materials. The studied areas are arranged hierarchically—in order from where the magnitude of importance is greatest (+ + +) through intermediate (+ +) to least (+) concern for a given issue. Source: own study.

Problem Related to Building Materials	Architecture and Urban Planning	Heritage Protection	Fire Safety
Amount of costs	+ + +	+ +	+
Energy efficiency	+ + +	+ +	+
Strength (except fire safety)	+ + +	+ +	+
Focus on savings	+ + +	+ *	+ *
Quality	+ +	+ + +	+
Durability	+ +	+ + +	+
Historical authenticity	+ +	+ + +	+
Certification/approval of a construction product	+ +	+	+ + +
Fire resistance **	+ +	+	+ + +
Fire load density	+ +	+	+ + +
Reaction to fire	+ +	+	+ + +

* Similarly. ** Applies to the fire resistance of building elements composed of building materials.

. This table arranges the studied areas hierarchically, from the most critical concerns to the least, covering issues such as amount of costs, energy efficiency, strength (except fire safety), focus on savings, quality, durability, and historical authenticity. These factors illustrate the multifaceted challenges involved in managing the preservation and safety of historic building materials.

3.5. Fire Safety Management of Cultural Heritage

Mariusz Pecio has extensively explored the field of fire safety in cultural heritage in several of his articles. In one of them, Model zarządzania bezpieczeństwem pożarowym obiektów zabytkowych (English title: Model of Fire Safety Management of Historic Buildings), he discussed the challenges of modeling fire safety management for historical buildings. The study addressed the following key aspects:

• Functioning of the facility and the phase of its operation;
• Elements of the model and the proposed timetable for its implementation;
• The stage of hazard identification in historic buildings;
• The manner and phase of functioning of the historic buildings.

The article also presented several detailed solutions in the areas of technical control, construction requirements, monument protection plans, and the organization of supervision and Safety Management Systems. According to Pecio’s research, a properly designed fire safety management model can significantly reduce the number of fires in historical buildings, a trend observed in recent years [28].

3.6. Fire Services and Their Roles

The main role in ensuring fire protection in Poland is played by the State Fire Service (Orig. in Polish: Państwowa Straż Pożarna, PSP). In addition, the Volunteer Fire Department (Orig. in Polish: Ochotnicza Straż Pożarna, OSP) provides local support and complements the activities of the state service. Both services enjoy a high level of trust among the public, and their scope of activity extends far beyond traditional firefighting. They are involved in rescuing people and property during natural disasters, such as floods, storms, and earthquakes, as well as responding to road accidents and incidents involving toxic substances or environmental hazards. Some industrial plants also have their own company fire brigades, which can provide initial assistance during fires, especially until the State Fire Service arrives at the scene. These fire services are equipped with their own rescue and fire-fighting equipment, which they transport from the fire station to the site of the rescue operation.

From a planning perspective, it is crucial to ensure the appropriate distribution of State Fire Service rescue and fire-fighting units in cities or communes so that their response time from the moment of receiving a fire alarm does not exceed 15 min. This is particularly important in historical areas, such as old towns, where limited access for motor vehicles and traffic congestion can significantly delay arrival times. A notable example of this challenge was observed during the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on 15 April 2019, when fire brigade vehicles were stuck in a major traffic jam on their way to the operation.

3.7. General Requirements Focused on Fire Safety for Outdoor Areas

Under Article 5, Section 1 of the Polish Construction Law, design and construction should take into account appropriate fire safety [26]. In practice, this means considering various aspects of fire protection, such as the following:

• The land use of a terrain;
• The location of buildings or other building objects like liquid fuel and gas tanks, gas stations, tunnels, etc. This is especially important for industrial plants, where there is an increased risk of industrial failure;
• Sufficient distance between buildings and other sensitive places like woods, landfills, and places to draw water;
• Fire protection water supply networks and installations with external hydrants (for selected objects);
• The location of a fire-fighting tank for fire-extinguishing water on the plot;
• The location of water draw-off points, especially when the water supply network and fire-fighting tanks are unable to provide an adequate amount of water for fire-fighting purposes;
• Access for the fire brigade—providing public roads and a fire road (for selected objects) that meet special requirements, including load capacity, width, distance from the protected object, and the possibility of turning around (Figure 5).

Each of the above-listed points highlights a broad range of issues, any of which could be the subject of a separate article, or even several. There is no need to elaborate further here, as many specific challenges in this field have already been discussed in detail in specialist publications. For example, one of these is the article by Piotr Tofiło entitled Establishing the extent of critical heat flux to build separation due to fire [35], which discusses foreign (British and American) engineering methods that may be used to determine the minimum distance of an object from neighboring buildings.

In Poland, the basic method of calculating the required distance between buildings is presented in the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 12 April 2002 on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location [27]. However, in certain situations, methods based on foreign standards and documents can also be applied. These cases often require detailed analyses, as simplified methods may not always be practical or appropriate. One tool that supports such detailed analyses is FireRad, which was highlighted in the aforementioned article by Piotr Tofiło. This specialized software offers advanced features, including the flexibility to model complex building geometries, the ability to import digital building models from architecture and construction software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Allplan, SCIA Engineer), and three-dimensional visualization of critical areas and the distribution of heat flux on surfaces. Such capabilities make FireRad an invaluable tool for determining fire safety parameters in both historical and modern contexts.

3.8. General Requirements Focused on Fire Safety for Buildings

Similar to outdoor areas, there are many requirements for the design and construction of buildings and their interiors. These requirements are associated with ensuring appropriate building design which includes the following:

• Division into buildings and zones that pose a threat to people (ZL—five categories), industrial and warehouse (PM), and livestock (IN);
• Division into fire zones;
• Buffer zones—sufficient distance between fire zones;
• Fire separation partitions;
• Fire resistance class of building elements;
• Fire resistance class of fire separation elements;
• Class of reaction to fire of building materials;
• Access routes;
• Escape routes.

The sustainability of the materials used in fire protection might also be taken into account if there is such a possibility. For instance, Aleksandra Powęzka, Paweł Ogrodnik, Jacek Szulej, and Mariusz Pecio, in the article entitled Glass Cullet as Additive to New Sustainable Composites Based on Alumina Binder, described an interesting process of reusing heat-resistant glass cullet to improve the mechanical properties of high-temperature composites. In their opinion, the obtained composite meets requirements imposed on structural materials used in construction engineering—the recycled aggregate could be used as a substitute for alumina cement and also for fine natural aggregate in the production of concrete based on hydraulic binder [36].

3.9. Fire Protection Devices

According to the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration on 7 June 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other construction facilities, and areas, fire protection devices may be permanent or semi-permanent, as well as manually or automatically activated. These devices are used to prevent, detect, fight fire, or limit its effects. The basic types include fixed and semi-permanent fire extinguishing and safety equipment, inertization devices, devices included in the sound warning system and fire alarm system (including signaling and alarm devices, fire alarm receiving devices, and devices receiving fault signals), evacuation lighting installations, external hydrants (Figure 6a) and hydrant valves, internal hydrants (Figure 6b), pumps in fire pumping stations, fire dampers, smoke extraction devices, smoke barriers, devices protecting against explosions and limiting their effects, doors, fire gates and other fire protection closures (if equipped with control systems), fire protection circuit breakers, and cranes for rescue teams [37].

Possible influences of given types of fire protection devices are presented in

Table 2. Impacts on fire safety and cultural values of selected types of fire protection devices. Source: own study.

Type of Fire Protection Device	Impact on Fire Safety	Impact on Cultural Values
Devices included in the sound warning system and fire alarm system (incl. signaling and alarm devices, fire alarm receiving devices, and devices receiving fault signals)	Significantly positive *	Negligible
Fire protection circuit breakers	Positive ***	Negligible
Smoke extraction devices	Significantly positive *, ***	Slight negative or negligible
Inertization devices	Positive *	Slight negative or negligible
Pumps in fire pumping stations	Positive	Slight negative or negligible
Evacuation lighting installations	Significantly positive	Slight negative
External hydrants	Significantly positive	Slight negative **
Fire dampers	Positive ***	Slight negative
Smoke barriers	Positive ***	Slight negative
Internal hydrants and hydrant valves	Positive	Negative **
Doors, fire gates, and other fire protection closures, if equipped with control systems	Positive	Negative
Devices protecting against explosions and limiting their effects	Positive	Negative
Cranes for rescue teams	Positive ***	Negative
Fixed and semi-permanent fire extinguishing and safety equipment	Positive *	Negative **

* Limited to a protected area. ** Possible significant damage to historic elements during fire extinguishing when using water or Foam systems. *** For safety reasons during evacuation and/or rescue operations.

. In this table, for each of the listed types of devices, its impact on fire safety and on cultural values is indicated separately.

3.10. Other Fire Protection Methods

In addition to standard fire protection devices, a range of other methods can be employed to enhance fire safety in historical buildings. These methods often focus on prevention, early detection, and minimizing the impact of fires while ensuring minimal disruption to the cultural and architectural values of the structures.

• Emergency lighting (i.e., emergency evacuation lighting and security lighting);
• Hydrants water installation;
• Water tanks and fire pumping stations;
• A safe place outside the building;
• Passive fire protection;
• Replacement solutions.

4. Discussion

4.1. Restrictions and Recommendations

In Poland, for building monuments designated by the General Conservator of Monuments and in consultation with the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service, there is a legal requirement to use two types of fire-fighting devices, namely, fixed fire-extinguishing devices and a fire alarm system. However, even if a given historical facility is not on this list, it may still be required to have such devices for other reasons specified in the relevant regulations, such as the size of the fire zone, the height of the building, the type of facility, or the number of people staying inside.

One of the most important guidelines for maintenance is to avoid storing fire-hazardous materials—both in the historic building and in other buildings and areas adjacent to it or in its close vicinity.

In the case of historic buildings, it is worth considering the installation of emergency evacuation lighting in every case, especially on escape routes leading from the rooms occupied by people to the exit outside the building. While formal regulations may not always require emergency lighting in such facilities, the often-challenging evacuation conditions and the exceptional value of these buildings make such installations highly advisable.

Garages for passenger cars pose particular challenges in terms of fire safety. However, they are very rare in historical buildings, as they are a relatively modern invention, usually post-dating the construction of most heritage structures. Historically, carriage houses were separate buildings, serving a similar purpose. Today, the issue of garages arises primarily in the youngest historical monuments, where garages were part of the original design or in cases where a new section is added or an old one is rebuilt. Nevertheless, such instances remain infrequent.

Interest in three particular areas—architecture and urban planning, heritage protection, and fire safety—in selected external issues is summarized in

Table 3. Interest in three particular areas (architecture and urban planning, heritage protection, fire safety) in selected external issues. The studied disciplines are arranged hierarchically—in order from where the magnitude of importance is greatest (+ + +) through intermediate (+ +) to least (+) concern for a given issue. Source: own study.

Issue of a Given Discipline	Architecture and Urban Planning	Heritage Protection	Fire Safety
History (of architecture, other features, etc.)	+ + +	+ +	+
Sustainable development	+ + +	+ +	+
Management of change of cultural heritage	+ + +	+ +	+
Economics of the investment process	+ + +	+ *	+ *
Theories and doctrines	+ +	+ + +	+
Attitude towards the past	+ +	+ + +	+
Principles and rules (except regulations and technical knowledge)	+ +	+ + +	+
Legal regulations	+ +	+	+ + +
Principles of technical knowledge	+ +	+	+ + +

* Similarly.

. This table illustrates how these areas intersect and the significance of external factors in shaping fire safety strategies for historical buildings.

Similarly, selected problems regarding a given historic building are presented in

Table 4. Interest in three particular areas (architecture and urban planning, heritage protection, fire safety) in selected problems regarding a given historic building. The studied disciplines are arranged hierarchically—in order from where the magnitude of importance is greatest (+ + +) through intermediate (+ +) to least (+) concern for a given issue. Source: own study.

Problem Regarding a Given Historic Building	Architecture and Urban Planning	Heritage Protection	Fire Safety
Amount of costs throughout the entire investment (usually)	+ + +	+ +	+
Construction safety	+ + +	+	+ +
General and construction history	+ +	+ + +	+
The state of preservation	+ +	+ + +	+
Preserving the authenticity	+ +	+ + +	+
Preserving the integrity	+ +	+ + +	+
Preserving as the testimony of the past	+ +	+ + +	+
Ease of consent to building interventions in the authentic historic structure	+ +	+	+ + +
Location conditions—risk of fire transfer (development configuration in the surroundings)	+ +	+	+ + +
Location conditions—close distance for the fire brigade to pass	+ +	+	+ + +
Location conditions—access to the building for the fire brigade	+ +	+	+ + +
Location conditions—availability of water to extinguish the fire	+ +	+	+ + +
Other fire safety issues (except location conditions)	+ +	+	+ + +

. This table highlights the interplay between architecture and urban planning, heritage protection, and fire safety in addressing specific challenges unique to individual historical sites.

4.2. Derogations from the Regulations

Each of the above issues is important and could be subject to further long discussion, which is not the case here. In the context of the monuments’ value, it is worth emphasizing the issue of the authenticity of the building substance, which is particularly valued in the area of Western culture. The old matter has antiquity value—Alterswert (ancient value) as it was called by Alois Riegl, one of the most eminent theoreticians of monument conservation in history [15,16]. Modern construction technology offers a wide range of material solutions to choose from, which have much better properties than those used in old buildings. This applies to various issues—not only load-bearing capacity, durability, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and aesthetics but also values related to broadly understood fire protection and safety engineering.

In many situations, e.g., in the case of complex building elements, it is not enough to simply replace one building material with another, even if it could be technically possible. An example of this is wooden joinery—a window or a glazed door in which replacing the old, worn-out glazing with new fire-resistant glass does not solve the problem completely but only partially improves its properties. Additionally, there are also other weak points in such joinery, including wooden elements and metal fittings. Impregnating and film-forming agents may be used for these parts. For instance, wooden elements can be soaked in impregnations that improve their fire-resistant properties. However, these preparations often affect the appearance of unpainted woodwork, staining it in a different color, which causes a certain cognitive dissonance when interacting with the historic tissue. Despite this, it is a beneficial solution, although it is extremely time-consuming compared to the trivial replacement of the original with a modern construction product with high fire resistance provided by the manufacturer.

In the case of historic joinery, it is not possible to obtain confirmation of its fire protection properties for a simple reason. To confirm this, appropriate tests should be carried out by the appropriate testing standard. In practice, this would mean the need to burn one element (door or window) to determine the time during which it will provide adequate fire resistance, primarily E I S (E—fire tightness, I—fire insulation, and S—smokeproof). In the case of monuments, this is usually an unacceptable cost.

Is the situation described above impossible in every building? Fortunately, this is not the case. There are special technical and construction regulations that allow, under certain conditions, the individual treatment of problematic situations, particularly in existing buildings and, therefore, also in monuments. Replacement solutions offer an alternative approach when compliance with certain fire safety regulations cannot be achieved in a historical building. This approach involves implementing alternative measures based on a technical assessment, ensuring an adequate level of fire safety. For example, if widening an existing staircase is not possible in a historical building, replacement solutions may include smoke extraction systems, passive fire protection for interior materials, and the installation of fire-rated doors. These measures, when properly implemented, compensate for the inability to meet standard requirements while preserving the building’s cultural and architectural integrity.

4.3. Numerical Analysis in the Context of Heritage Preservation

In recent decades, significant development has been observed in the compatibility of computer methods used across various industries and disciplines, such as architecture, construction, installations, roads, and prefabrication. Initially, the modernization of design practices focused on CAD (Computer-Aided Design), but in recent years, it has evolved into BIM (Building Information Modeling). A common feature of these approaches is the use of three-dimensional digital modeling, which simplifies and accelerates activities such as inventory (3D scanning), architecture design (3D modeling, visualization, and animation), structural calculations (three-dimensional static system), and even physical execution (prefabrication or 3D printing). Thanks to that, the professionals’ work becomes simpler, faster, and, above all, more precise. The advantages of integrating various computer techniques are discussed in more detail in my other article, Basic reflections on the implementation of different 3D technologies co-operating in the architectural design process [38]. Of course, many studies have explored the applications of modern 3D computer techniques in architectural design and related fields, some of which are worth highlighting here [39,40,41,42,43,44].

Computer methods have also found extensive applications in fire protection. Examples include BIM-based fire safety management systems for construction sites [45] or numerical modeling of fire-extinguishing gas retention [46]. Among these, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) techniques deserve special attention in the context of security engineering. CFD solutions are widely used in designing smoke removal systems or simulating evacuation scenarios [47]. A noteworthy example is the FireRad program, which not only offers CFD simulations but also provides digital imaging of surfaces (2D) and spaces (3D) under fire conditions. However, as noted by Piotr Tofiło, FireRad remains relatively underutilized in practice [35].

The FireRad simulations, as discussed in the Results section, provided critical insights into fire spread dynamics and the effectiveness of passive fire protection measures. With features like three-dimensional visualization and integration with digital building models, FireRad highlights the potential for advanced numerical tools to guide conservation strategies. Despite its current limited use in practice, this tool demonstrates how technology can bridge the gap between fire safety requirements and heritage preservation.

In the discussions so far, such as those concerning historic wooden joinery, one can observe an inevitable clash between cultural and safety values. The challenge and art of dealing with monuments lie in balancing these competing values, including its authenticity and integrity of the structure, while ensuring essential safety requirements such as load-bearing capacity, usability, and fire safety. This process requires compromises that must be carefully managed. By incurring the necessary costs during adaptation, a historic building can continue to exist in good physical condition while meeting modern fire protection standards, which are typically much stricter than those originally provided.

Finally, it is worth acknowledging that the research problem addressed in this study is so extensive and complex that certain generalizations were necessary to capture its most important aspects within a single work. The author is aware that this topic intersects with broader issues at the interface of historical architecture and fire protection. While some of these issues have been explored by other researchers [47,48,49], the significance of this field underscores the need for further research in the future.

5. Conclusions

The problem discussed in this article has not been addressed so far, at least to such a wide extent, and it has only just been examined in advance. It requires the juxtaposition of various thematic threads from several fields and a holistic look at the whole issue from an objective perspective.

The main conclusion of this work is the statement that protecting the value of cultural heritage is the responsibility of every specialist involved in this area. There are both advantages and disadvantages to applying strict fire safety regulations along with other technical and construction regulations in the Polish legal system. On the one hand, the main benefits are forcing investors to ensure the safety of people, property, and the environment, rather than just trusting that they will voluntarily ensure this. On the other hand, a rigorous application of fire protection regulations increases the risk of losing the architectural and cultural values of monuments. There is also no equally rigorous approach to preserving the tangible and intangible values represented by old buildings [50]. In practice, this often causes these values to lose importance compared to the strict fire protection requirements laid down in numerous legal provisions.

Therefore, it is recommended to address a given problem situation sensitively with the support of an expert who is knowledgeable in various fields and not biased by just one point of view. An individual approach and compromise decisions are often necessary, taking into account the possibility of using alternative solutions in fire protection. This includes leveraging the possibilities offered by derogations from technical and construction regulations based on technical expertise.

A good example of that is the use of numerical analyses to confirm the feasibility of derogating from regulations, allowing for more effective protection of architectural monuments. Such analyses, as discussed in this article, offer practical insights into balancing safety requirements with the preservation of cultural values, emphasizing the need for further interdisciplinary research in this area.