Current Standards for the Purposes of Assessing and Classifying Fire Hazards in Historic Buildings

The utilisation of fire resistance control systems in contemporary timber construction and the conservation of historic edifices has emerged as a pivotal solution, superseding conventional mandatory systems. Such approaches are particularly beneficial for the rational protection and assessment of unique buildings of historical or cultural significance. The objective is to achieve a balance between the necessity of protecting often irreplaceable structures and their contents, and the aspiration to preserve significant historical or cultural elements of the construction. The article provides a synopsis of fundamental American and European standards, with a particular emphasis on Polish and German standards, and addresses issues related to the implementation of quality and material constraints when developing the scope and methodologies for fire protection in historic buildings. The current state of knowledge on the natural fire resistance of wooden structural elements in historic buildings is defined, and the level of risk is described. The direction of adapting European standards for fire protection of historic wooden buildings to North American standards is indicated. The paper confirms the exemplary adaptation of ASTM standards to UNESCO requirements and provisions in the field of monument protection, as well as the need for changes in European standards.