Fire safety management in heritage buildings: a case study inudMalaysiaud

摘要

In Malaysia, there are few heritage buildings with an architectural and historicaludsignificance that may classified into several categories, namely traditional timber Malayudhouses, pre-world war shop-houses, colonial office buildings, institutional buildings andudreligious buildings. Many of them are worthy to be listed as Heritage Buildings orudNational Heritage buildings under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645). Howeveruddue to poor fire safety management, many priceless heritage buildings were badlyuddamaged or burnt down by fire e.g. Muzium Rakyat, Melaka (2001), Rumah Pak Ali,udGombak (2003) and Sarawak Club, Kuching (2006).It is widely accepted that fire is oneudof the greatest threats not only to the building’s occupants but also to the building’sudfabric and contents. Nevertheless, in term of fire safety approach, a heritage buildingudrequires relatively more sensitive approach compare to a new building; a high standardudof fire safety management is required, not only to protect people but as well as to protectudhistorical contents, fabrics and structures of the building. This paper suggests someudrecommendations to provide a satisfactory level of fire safety management in a heritageudbuilding.