Can we learn from the her it age lost in a fire? - Museovirasto

project was to prevent a town fire, so this was regarded
as an effective measure. It is always important
to assess which actions should be left to owners
and which the authorities should carry out to
reach the project goal.
A common feature for all the projects that we
studied was that the training of property owners
and users was one of the most fruitful ways to
work. It is important that the owners and users
begin to understand that it is not only their problem
if a fire breaks out in a single building located
in a tightly packed wooden town structure.
This training can be carried out in many ways.
Articles in the local newspapers, informative meetings,
information leaflets and letters addressed to
the owners can all be used. Practical training on
how to use fire extinguishers or fire hoses is a very
easy way to improve fire safety and to add to the
knowledge among owners and users.
After looking at the examples, we propose that
following matters should be considered when
starting a fire protection project in a historic
wooden town:
1. What is the goal of the project
(prevention of single fires or
prevention of a town fire)
2. What kinds of risks are there on
single properties and in the town structure
and how they can be minimized
3. What are the risks of a fire spreading
from one estate to a neighbouring one
and how can these be minimized
How can the fire be limited
to a restricted area
4. What can be done to detect fire
as early as possible
5. What kinds of problems does
the fire brigade face when acting
in a town structure or on single buildings
6. Is there enough water to extinguish the fire
7. How joint training in fire protection can be
arranged for owners and inhabitants
(it is important to make them aware of the
fact that a fire in a neighbour’s house is a
threat to their own house too)
8. What measures does the municipality
(or other authority) take and which
are left to house owners
Small administrative measures can be taken as in this
example from Lillehammer. (“Remember to check
the toilets before you close the café. Check that there
are no paper towels near the heaters.”)
There is still too much combustible material
in some of the courtyards in Rauma.
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