We ran into a similar issue with compactor shelving for natural history
specimens preserved in alcohol.  We were given two options:  (1) add
sprinklers within the compact shelving, using flexible hose, or (2)
install overhead sprinklers for compactor shelves that are at least 50%
open to allow the penetration of the water.  We chose the latter option,
using a wire rack shelf with a flat, galvanized mat over the wire rack.
The galvanized mat has holes drilled in it so that it is 50% open for
the water penetration.  This system works fine for bottles of specimens,
but I can't imagine you would want a system like that for objects.

The bottom line is that the Uniform Fire Code does not directly address
most museum storage situations, an in particular does not address the
issue of compact storage of a museum collection, so you have some room
to negotiate and work with your local fire marshal.  The question to ask
is: what is the risk of a fire starting inside a closed compactor?  For
a fire to start, you need a combination of ignition and fuel.  Most
things in the compactor unit will provide the fuel, but where is the
ignition source?  If you have a sprinkled storage room, with no ignition
sources inside the compactors, shouldn't that be adequate?  How about
leaving the top of the compactors open so that a sprinkler could
penetrate in the unlikely event that a fire starts inside the compactor?
Remember that sprinkler systems are not designed to suddenly flood an
entire room with water--rather, they are designed so that the heat from
a fire in a small area triggers the nearest sprinkler head.  If you have
no ignition sources inside the compactor, then you are unlikely to have
a fire start inside one (a bad fire might spread from an ignition source
outside the system into the compactors, but that is another issue--the
external sprinkler should have done its job first).

Bear in mind that fire prevention officials have to cover a lot of
territory, so they are not experts in all forms of storage.  It would be
worth your while to do an in-depth tour for the fire marshal, showing
them what you have in storage, how it is used, what other activities
take place in the storage area, and so forth.  The museum community
needs to be more proactive in working with fire prevention officials to
identify areas that have a high risk for fire and those that don't.  Ask
the fire marshal to explain what the risk of fire is in a collection
storage area with compactor shelving, with limited access, and only a
few ignition points.  Sprinkler systems should be directed to putting
out fires where the fire starts.

--John

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Timothy McShane
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 4:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fire codes and compact shelving

Hi all;

We've just run into an issue with our new compact storage units
apparently not being compliant with our local fire codes--the issue
being that the closed units will not allow the sprinkler system to
function as intended.  We're being urged to consider wire shelving
(which would cost bucks we don't have, and besides, I expect an Ethafoam
lining wouldn't be looked upon favourably by our FD either), or
eliminating every second compactor unit (which would, of course, destroy
the whole intend of acquiring compact storage).  Has anyone ever run
into, or even heard about a similar situation elsewhere?  Any
suggestions for arguments we can use to win over our fire department?

Thanks,



------------------------------------------------------------
Tim McShane, Assistant--Cultural History
Medicine Hat Museum and Art Gallery
1302 Bomford Crescent S.W.
Medicine Hat, AB   T1A 5E6
Tel: (403) 502-8587
[log in to unmask]

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