Jane,

I agree!

Can you offer some details / explanation from a vendor's viewpoint on
why plywood should not be used for the decking for a compact storage
system?

Also - in response to another post on this thread. There is a huge
difference between old and historic wood that is an inherent part of a
structure and new wood (especially plywood) that you are intentionally
using for things like the decking in this instance or for exhibition
cases. Old and historic wood has been in place for years and years,
often in buildings where windows were opened for venitalltion
regualrly. They have had time to outgass with significant air exchange
over the years. Plywood can potentially be very bad because it is a
wood laminate that uses urea glues which outgass volumes of organic
acids including formaldehyde. The more expensiave "green" plywoods
that are now on the market are far friendlier but also far more
expensive. As in all things one wood is not as bad as another wood for
use. So if you HAVE to use a new wood product around your collections
then educate yourself as to which woods are friendlier and which ones
have a higher acid content and are more likely to outgass. Oak is one
of the worst. Here is a link with a bibliography:

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/1999/0622.html

Cheers!
Dave

On 10/4/07, Jane McDonald <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> First a disclaimer that I am connected to Spacesaver Corporation:
>
> My recommendation is no way plywood should be used.  We have installed
> in major museums in New England.  Saw cut the floor, use metal deck -
> and NEVER use plywood.
>
> Your mileage may vary, good luck.
>
> Regards,
> Jane
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Jonathan Bucci
> Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 4:28 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] High density storage construction materials
>
> Hello list
>
> My museum will be installing a couple of high density storage units, the
> type of shelving that is mounted on carriages and moves by spinning a
> hand
> crank.
> We are buying a system from Montel.
> The installation method, as it is explained to me, requires the
> carriages to
> set into a platform that is constructed on the floor.  That platform is
> to
> be constructed of plywood.
> I was wondering if anyone else has had units like this built with a
> plywood
> platform.  And if so were there any precautions taken to prevent off
> gassing
> from the wood.  Is this something to be concerned with?
>
> Thanks for any comments
> Jonathan Bucci
> Hallie Ford Museum of Art
> Willamette University
> Salem, OR
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail
> message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should
> read "help" (without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message
> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>
>

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).