Chiltern International Fire (CIF) has updated its risk management guidance to help prevent major incidents in historic buildings.

Its technical information sheet, Historic buildings and fire safety, offers advice in protecting heritage buildings from fire.

Fire risk assessment and a fire safety plan for an historic building can be broken down into four steps: preparation, prevention, protection and management.

CIF’s senior consultant Peter Barker said: “In the case of a historic building, the loss of any authentic fabric in a fire is irretrievable. It is vital therefore to minimise the likelihood of fire, by early elimination of major risks, or careful management and control over risks that cannot be eliminated.”

The free guidance is available at www.chilternfire.co.uk.