A comparative analysis of the application of fire engineering approach for the adaptive re-use three heritage buildings in Hong Kong

Abstract

In Hong Kong, the Fire Engineering Approach (FEA) for the compliance of fire safety control was first adopted in 1995/96, but it was rarely adopted because most professionals were not familiar with it, and there was little need to adopt it. However, since the launch of the Revitalization Scheme in 2008, in which government-owned heritage buildings are conserved through adaptive re-use, FEA became a suitable means of achieving fire-safety compliance, as professionals are dealing with an existing old building rather than one that is designed and built from the beginning. Adapting a heritage building for new uses poses many difficulties and challenges in the compliance of the current fire safety codes in Hong Kong. FEA seems to offer a viable solution, but after several attempts in adaptive re-use projects, conservation professionals experienced many issues and challenges with the FEA process. This dissertation attempts to identify these issues and challenges and proposes recommendations for possible resolution. The methodology adopted is by means of a comparative approach to evaluate the applicability of FEA in completed and in-operation adaptive re-use projects. Three case-studies will be used for the comparative study: Yau Ma Tei Theatre, the Red Brick Building and the Former Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.