Protecting your Archival Assets: Fire Protection Solutions and Loss Mitigation Techniques for High Density Library and Archival Storage

Presenters: Kristin Jamison, FM Global; David Fuller, FM Global     
  
Typical archival facilities are increasingly challenged by the volume of materials that need to be stored. Those facilities are turning to high bay, high density shelving arrangements to store a significant portion of their collections. Protection of these facilities is critical due to the high value and uniqueness of the materials stored. Large-scale testing was conducted and an assessment was made regarding the effectiveness of a combination of in-rack and ceiling-level sprinklers to protect this hazard, which was stored to a height of 20 ft under a 25 ft–high ceiling. Results and conclusions from the intermediate- and large-scale fire tests will be presented. Additionally, loss mitigation techniques such as early smoke detection, fire department pre-planning, and a post-incident recovery plan will be discussed.