User Manual

Basics in archives and libraries
12
Building Technologies 049_Archives_and_Libraries_A6
V10271399_a_en.doc
Fire Safety & Security Products 03.2009
1. Forces of nature
– Storm (rain, wind, lightning)
– Flooding
– Snow / avalanches
– Heat / draught / cold
– Landslide
– Earthquake
Forces of nature as such can only be prevented with difficulty. On the other hand,
measures to reduce risks can be implemented when choosing a location, planning
and building storage facilities for archives or libraries.
As a basic rule, storage buildings should not be planned, if possible, in potential
risk zones regarding floods, storms, landslides, snow, ground water, earthquakes
etc.
Other risks which cannot be eliminated must be consciously
accepted and system-
atically evaluated. Every institution must prepare for the event of an incident with
an institution-specific emergency plan and make appropriate arrangements to pro-
tect staff and stock. All staff must be trained regularly.
It is also part of the emergency plan to consider how and according to which priori-
ties objects can be evacuated from a building in the event of an incident. These
considerations might also be included when planning the storage of the stock
(where is what stored).
2. Risks directly caused by man
– Handling an object can be done with more or less care. In an unfavorable
case, it can lead to damage or destruction.
– Unfavorable operational processes such as overlapping of internal and public
ways of transport in the building (danger of theft)
– inappropriate actions such as improper ventilation at the wrong time (climate)
can have negative effects (e.g. mold)
– Insufficient value protection can lead to theft, loss and vandalism of objects.
– Stored residual material (packaging, unrecorded stock, old exhibition material,
unused furniture etc.) can be a risk: they are not part of any systematic use or
control, they are forgotten about and often stored in inappropriate places
where they can be a significant fire hazard and/or a breeding ground for
pests.
– Vandalism and terrorism can be directed at so-called identification objects or
identification institutions of a society (e.g. national archive, national library).
Nowadays, they are a risks that need to be considered especially for large in-
stitutions.
Reasonable operational processes, systematic training for the users when dealing
with the objects, sufficient mechanical and eventually electronic protection as well
as appropriate access control can prevent damages, loss and destruction of ob-
jects caused by people in many cases.
Buildings must be checked for “forgotten stock“ sporadically and cleared out.