[Nhcoll-l] Fire prevention and fire fighting in collection halls

[Hawks, Catharine]

I would add to Liz's comment that anyone who has had experience with gas-phase fire suppression systems (various gasses) can verify that thesenot only pose a risk to human health, but when they discharge, they do a tremendous amount of physical damage to collections.

Water-based mist systems are gaining in popularity and based on testing at the National Gallery of Art, seem to work well. They are a variant on standard water-based, wet-pipe systems that may merit exploration.

Cathy
Catharine Hawks
Museum Conservator
National Museum of Natural History
NHB 394 MRC 106
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Office 202.633.0835
Conservation 202.633.4041
Cell (work) 202.701.8458
Cell (pers) 703.200.4370



From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Dietrich, Elizabeth
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 5:27 PM
To: Majken Them Tøttrup; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Fire prevention and fire fighting in collection halls


Keep in mind that fire fighters will deluge a building with millions of liters of water if a fire is not suppressed by your suppression system, so opting against a water based system may not save your collection from water damage.  Look at the performance of various sprinklers systems before choosing-a wet pipe system may be more reliable in putting out a fire when it first starts than a dry pipe system.



Something to keep in mind with low oxygen storage is that it creates a similar risk to humans as a confined space are you going to be able to let people (visitors as well as staff) access the collection?  would an elderly staff member with lung disease be able to work in the space.  If not, would the objects have to be removed from the room for use by researcher?  Would this be detrimental to the collection?



The more combustible/flammable liquids you have stored in a room, the less likely fire fighters will want to risk entering the room/facility in a fire situation.  Wet collections therefore require a lot of engineering in the design of the space to reduce the risk of ignition and spread of fire.



You need to include users, fire engineers, industrial hygienists and safety specialists in discussion of strategies for housing wet collections.  The best design will acknowledge the needs of the users in the design so that staff can work within the constraints imposed by the design and not try to circumvent the design features.  One example is the use of electrical equipment inside the space.  Do users need to use camera and lights, laptops, wireless antennae, Stryker saws, electric pumps, etc.?  How can these needs be accommodated?  If they are not included in the design will staff run multiple extension cords into the space and connect regular electrical devices in order to accomplish their work, thus creating a bigger hazard?  Or can and air compressor be used to run some equipment, can repeaters be located outside the room with just the antennae protruding into the room, can military grade explosion proof laptops be used?

________________________________
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] on behalf of Majken Them Tøttrup [mtottrup at snm.ku.dk]
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2014 5:20 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Fire prevention and fire fighting in collection halls
Dear all
We are planning for new storage facilities in Copenhagen and we would like some input on the different ways to prevent and fight fire.
We have discussed the following methods; sprinkling, low oxygen, inert gas.

*         Are there any other ways/methods to prevent and actively fight fire?

*         What do you use - and what are your experiences?

*         Do you prevent/fight fire differently in dry and wet collections?

All input are highly appreciated :)
Best regards,
Majken

Majken Them Tøttrup
Collections Coordinator/Manager
Natural History Museum of Denmark
University of Copenhagen
Universitetsparken 15
DK-2100 Copenhagen
Denmark

DIR +45 40498935
MOB +45 40498935
mtottrup at snm.ku.dk<mailto:mtottrup at snm.ku.dk>


[KU (FA og tværgående)_bomaerke_UK]



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