Biological damage and risk assessment of the wood cultural properties in fire prevention area

Abstract

The three-year inspection of 20 tree stumps in the fire prevention area around the wooden building confirmed that termite colonies had been rapidly spread. In particular, four buildings among thirty one wooden buildings of Songgwang-sa temple were infected by the termite, indicating that the habitate of termite has been spread across the fire prevention area over the temple area. However, a non-destructive microwave diagnosis showed that internal damages have been progressed until now, suggesting a high risk to the building. These results suggest that the fire prevention area should be properly maintained to have harmful element controlled. Therefore, effective methods are required to eliminate tree stumps or wood materials used to establish fire prevention area near wooden buildings.