We remember the importance of the CTE-DB-SI 1 in the face of the fire in the Córdoba mosque

Following the fire at the Córdoba mosque that took place last Friday, August 8, we want to remind you of the importance of the demands of the CTE-DB-SI.

The recent fire in the Mosque of Cordoba has a clear relationship with the requirements of the Technical Building Code (CTE), specifically with the Basic Fire Safety Document (DB SI). This document establishes the conditions that buildings must meet to prevent, detect, control and evacuate in the event of a fire.

Below, the most relevant points of the CTE-DB-SI that can be directly related to this fire are detailed:

• DB-SI 1 – Internal spread: The CTE establishes that the compartmentalization elements (walls, ceilings, doors) must limit the spread of fire between fire sectors. In this case, the fire originated in a chapel used presumably as a warehouse, and spread to two adjacent chapels. If there was no adequate compartmentalization or fire doors, this could be considered a violation of SI 1.
• DB-SI 2 – External spread: Although the fire did not spread outside the building, the potential danger of affecting adjacent areas (of high historical value) highlights the need to also control the risk of spread to roofs and facades.
• DB-SI 3 – Evacuation of occupants: Although the fire occurred outside visiting hours, the CTE establishes that safe and signposted evacuation routes must be guaranteed. It would be relevant to know if these measures were correctly implemented (evacuation plans, emergency lighting, exits).
• DB-SI 4 – Fire protection installations: The CTE requires fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems. Allegedly, there were no automatic extinguishing systems (such as sprinklers or water mist) in the chapel where the fire originated.
• DB-SI 5 – Firefighter intervention: The CTE establishes that accessibility for intervention teams must be guaranteed and that the building must be sectored to facilitate fire control. In this fire, firefighters intervened quickly, but the fact that the fire was in an interior area presumably used as a warehouse, with combustible materials, may make extinguishing difficult if it is not adequately sectored.

*Importance of the heritage context: The Mosque is a property of cultural interest (BIC) and UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it is not strictly subject to the same CTE requirements as new or fully renovated buildings. In this case: The CTE is not retroactive; however, equivalent safety measures can be applied depending on the nature of the building. The actions are often based on specific adaptation projects, respecting the historical and architectural value.