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The catastrophic earthquake on September 21st 1999 in Taiwan caused severe damages to many lives and properties including valuable heritage sites with unique local characteristics and historical buildings. As people embark on the reconstruction work after the catastrophe, it is important to understand and investigate the true causes for the destruction. Other than earthquake, flood, termites, humidity etc, the natural causes as well as man-made factors such as fire, which all can destroy the heritage sites. The protection from the aforementioned natural disasters, the weather forecast can help with preparation in advance. It is also crucial to monitor the environment.
For the restoration and daily maintenance of heritage sites and historical buildings, the prevalent fire regulations and the construction law still leave a big gap to meet the restoring requirement. In order to balance between the restoration requirement and public safety, it is necessary to set up a disaster prevention system. The building materials of heritage sites and historical buildings are mostly wooden material, which are different from the modern ones. Therefore, the major issue is disaster or hazard prevention, especially the fireproof function. When general disaster occurred, there may be some chances to save the properties. Yet, when a fire braked out, it would be total annihilation.
The research will probe into the regulations of fire prevention on cultural heritages and historical buildings, conducting case studies and proposing protection strategies including the followings.
1.All heritage sites and historical buildings should set up a system of Fire Safety Manager
2.Sectionalize a fireproof area
3.Control the source of fire and management of combustible material
4.Management of electronic instrument wiring and appliance
5.Regulations about the set-up of lightning protection
6.Regulations about fire extinguisher
7.Educational training
The establishment of the above regulations and protocols will help to provide local authorities as references for maintaining, managing and re-functioning the heritage sites and historical buildings.
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