User Manual

Basics in archives and libraries
17
Building Technologies 049_Archives_and_Libraries_A6
V10271399_a_en.doc
Fire Safety & Security Products 03.2009
2.9 Light / ultraviolet radiation / infrared radiation
Electromagnetic radiation, together with the climate, plays a central role in the de-
cay processes of different materials, especially for chemically unstable (e.g. or-
ganic) materials.
For the operations of archives and libraries, only the visible spectrum (light) is
wanted to an appropriate degree. The (highly damaging) ultraviolet radiation which
is rich in energy but not visible to the human eye, as well as the infrared radiation
warming the environment and objects must be minimized by a suitable selection of
light sources or suitable measures (filter, heat dissipation).
The intensity of the illumination conforms with the requirement of reading informa-
tion on-site (signatures, inscriptions without help). This is especially important in
the narrow aisles between shelves. The motto is “as little as possible – as much as
required”. In areas which are not used much, the deployment of sensors to control
lighting makes sense.
It must be considered that libraries and archives still have a large staff routinely
available for the allocation of stock. For physiological and health reasons, it is de-
sirable that employees also have access to outside areas (natural light) during their
daily work.
The invisible electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet and infrared) which is unwanted
in connection with archives and libraries must be excluded wherever possible, and
the radiation contamination in the visible spectrum for the items in the collection
must be kept as low as possible.
2.10 Building
2.10.1 Dimensioning
Room size
If no existing room layouts need to be taken into account, the room sizes can al-
most be chosen arbitrarily. Partly contradictory requirements have to be balanced
and compared:
1. ideal size from the building technique’s point of view so that economical sys-
tems can be implemented with column grids co-ordinated with each other as well
as wall and ceiling strengths.
2. ideal size from the climatisation’s point of view
– preferably small areas with high demands, restriction of high demands to
clearly outlined areas which are closed off.
– sufficient room height and distance from walls for appropriate air circulation
– ideal installation effort per room volume
3. ideal size and layout from the storage technique’s point of view
– ideal relationship of access ways to the used area with adequate fire protec-
tion
– ideal room height for best possible use of volume and operation
– appropriate floor support
– max. allowed weights of units in systems of moveable shelving
4. ideal size from the operations’ point of view
– horizontal and vertical main dimensions
– appropriate work areas
5. ideal size from the personal safety’s point of view so that the required escape
routes are always guaranteed