Dear List-

Our Museum/Library/Archive is about to undergo a multi-million dollar 
renovation and one of the things they are wanting to do is to install a dry 
pipe (water is not in the pipes until the emergency occurs--supposedly) 
fire suppression system in the collection storage areas.  While I 
understand the need for it in human-occupied areas (exhibit areas, 
offices), the thought of it in our storage facilities--which are supervised 
24-hours a day, are built of concrete, have 90 minute fire safe doors and 
metal shelving--seems excessive and are more likely to damage the 
collections than save them.  

My Board has asked me to gather information about:

1) Incidents where a fire suppression system of any kind has misfired and 
what was the level of damage?

2) What are new buildings installing and are they installing systems in 
collection storage?

3) Any other thoughts regarding fire suppression systems that are currently 
in play in the community.

Any information that you can give me would certainly be appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

Elizabeth Appleby
Curator 
San Jacinto Museum of History
Houston, TX 

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