Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 39. (1986)
Archive Buildings and the Conservation of Archival Material. An Expert Meeting, held in Vienna, Austria October 30 - November 1, 1985 - STEWART, William J.: Summary of Discussions
Summary of Discussions 265 SESSION III Chair: Angeline Kamba Ms Kamba: It is my pleasure to chair session three which will be introduced by Mr Thomas’ paper on the subject of architectural design and technical equipment for the physical protection and conservation of documents. This paper was circulated beforehand so Mr Thomas will just provide a summary and, following, we shall initiate the same procedure of asking for interventions and comments from the floor. Paper by Thomas see pp. 233-251. Ms Kamba: Mr Thomas, I think your paper is well-focused on problem areas common to all archives. But I am also left with the overwhelming feeling that proper planning at the beginning is absolutely essential. However, as you have said, in the face of an ever-changing technology, it is very difficult to plan ahead. When we were designing a new building, which was completed in the 1960’s, we believed we were doing everything to an ideal standard. By the 1980’s we know we have an ageing facility with equipment that is rapidly becoming obsolete. Some of the points you raise are interesting and unusual. I was amused to hear of the seating arrangement in the Public Record Office whereby readers sit across from one another so they might police each other and thus prevent theft, or at least reduce the opportunity to purloin documents. Intervention of Mr Stewart: Madame Chair, I agree that Mr Thomas’ paper has touched all of the important features of good building control and maintenance. If I may, I should like to enlarge on two of those topics, fire security and building safety. I have come to conclude that in the matter of fire security, the wet pipe sprinkler system is the archivist’s best friend. Without qualification it is the most economical and dependable fire suppressant available. Yet it has found little favor with architects, archivists, and librarians, many of whom — at least in North America — are convinced that a water disaster by sprinkler malfunction is only a matter of time. Technological improvements in fire detection and protection in the last twenty years have produced a most reliable system, yet many archivists remain reluctant to employ a water-based extinguishing agent. It is understandable that archivists harbor a serious concern about water damage but water discharge caused by the fire control system is a rare occurence. Rather, the danger derives from general leakage, burst water and steam mains, faulty drains, rain intrusion, and so on. Proponents point to the good experience of sprinklers in putting out archive and library fires and to the fact that water damage in an archive and library occurs only in those buildings not protected with sprinklers, meaning that the fire brigade can cause serious
