Dear Colleagues:  I'm including a response on the building issues regarding
fire suppression systems from Paul Himmelstein, who I've worked with
extensively on several building and collections projects.  Cheers!  Geri
Thomas, President, Thomas & Associates, Inc., www.artstaffing.com.  From
Paul the guru:  As a conservator who works extensively as a consultant on
museum building renovation and construction, I now recommend ONLY wet pipe
or mist systems for all areas of museums except where freezing temperatures
may be expected.  This is now generally accepted practice in the field.  The
Canadian Conservation Institute,  NFPA, and most specialized consultants
such as Nick Artim ( a widely recognized specialist in fire supression
systems) all agree. (The CCI publication on fire suppression systems may be
viewed at:
http://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/publications/ccinotes/enotes-pdf/2-8_e.pdf.) 

Conservators from Colonial Williamsburg gave an extensive presentation at
the AAM 2009 meeting in Philadelphia on this topic.  They described the
reasons  why they needed to replace the existing pre-action dry-pipe system
in their museum building with a wet-pipe system.  For anyone who might be
interested, I can forward an electronic copy of their Powerpoint  panels. 

Happy to provide additional information if desired.
Paul Himmelstein
-- 
Appelbaum & Himmelstein
444 Central Park West
New York, NY  10025
Conservation of Works of Art
212-666-4630
[log in to unmask]
www.AandHconservation.org

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