Every one of Scotland’s publicly-owned historic buildings could be checked for fire risks following the devastation of Glasgow School of Art.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has ordered her officials to explore options for a fire mitigation review of the nation’s category A-listed buildings in public ownership.
The move is a response to a call by Holyrood’s culture committee, which is examining the circumstances of the devastation to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architectural masterpiece.
It wants an assessment of hundreds of A-listed buildings with “unique” cultural or historic significance.
Hyslop said it would be a “huge exercise” to carry out a review of nearly 3,500 A-listed buildings in Scotland, most of which are owned privately.
But she said she wanted to “explore what options there may be to carry out a fire mitigation review of A-listed buildings in public and major institutional ownership”.
In a letter to committee convener Joan McAlpine, she added she was “keen to prevent similar events occurring in the future”.
Glasgow School of Art was ravaged by fire a year ago, the second time in four years.
Professor Alan Dunlop, a leading architect and academic, welcomed the move.
He said: “I do believe a fire mitigation review is due for category A-listed buildings in public ownership.
“Moreover, if an enhanced listing is introduced for those internationally renowned and special buildings that transcend those of ‘outstanding architectural or historic interest,’ like Mackintosh’s School of Art, then fire mitigation measures should become compulsory.
“The custodians of these structures must recognise they are guardians of national treasures that the country benefits from. So appropriate measures have to be taken against the risk of fire and destruction.”
Dunlop said a fire mitigation review would not have saved Glasgow School of Art from the fire in 2014, which was caused by ignitable foam from a student’s work.
But he added: “After the fire in 2014, I would have expected a strict fire mitigation and prevention regime to be put in place and rigorously monitored. It may have been. I guess we’ll find out when the fire report is published soon.”
A report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Services on the cause of the art school was due next month but may not be ready until September.
Glasgow Labour MSP Pauline McNeill added her support for a review of A-listed buildings in public ownership.
The Glasgow School of Art board said in a submission to the culture committee the building had been compliant with fire prevention and safety standards.
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