[NHCOLL-L:1239] Re: Ethanol-preserved collections and fire-codes

[Murray Fletcher]

Brad,

When we designed our new building here for the collections (1996) we had a number of fire controls incorporated, including separating the work areas from the collection areas with a fire wall, CO2 fire suppression systems in the various collection areas, Inogen gas in the laboratory and particular controls over the spirit collection. These included spark proof
lights and light switch, lower maximum temperature (17oC) and a separate CO2 system. The spirit collection room, however, is still an integral part of our building but the extra measures satisfied the building code covering storage of class 3 inflammable liquid.

Murray

Brad Hubley wrote:

> We're encountering a situation where we may have to rethink how we store our ethanol-preserved collections in light of fire-code regulations.  I'm interested in hearing back from anyone who has had to deal with a similar situation.  Were you required to build a dedicated facility for the storage of your collection, move it offsite, use fire-proof cabinets?
>
> Is anyone aware of a substitute for ethanol for the long-term preservation of entomological collections?
>
> Brad
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>   Brad Hubley
>   Entomology Collection Manager
>   Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
>   Royal Ontario Museum
>   100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario
>   Canada    M5S 2C6
>
>   Phone:  1-416-586-5764
>   FAX:      1-416-586-5553
>   email:  bradh at rom.on.ca
>   Visit our website at: http://www.rom.on.ca/ontario/
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Dr Murray J. Fletcher
Senior Research Scientist
Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit
Orange Agricultural Institute
Orange NSW 2800
Australia

Phone: +61-2-63913943
Fax: +61-2-63913899
Email: murray.fletcher at agric.nsw.gov.au

ASCU Website: http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/Hort/ascu
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