Pam,
As one of the "lucky" people who was "drowned" when the sprinkler system
at the LA Convention Center Exhibit Hall went "into action", I have an
entirely new perspective toward fire suppression via sprinkler system.
I also have serious thoughts about an "interrupt" mechanism that would
permit you to stop it - they have lots of shutoffs that DIDN'T/COULDN'T.
I don't know your collection, but I'd suggest you think about what all
that water might do if it were dumped on your objects - with or without
a fire.
Linn Keller

Friedrich Waidacher wrote:
>
> Pam,
>
> Here are some references (and may I ask you to kindly give my best regards
> to Bertram Malle from your psychology department?):
>
> Cannon-Brookes, P., "Security: 'Choose Wet or Burned Objects'", Museum
> Management and Curatorship 12/1993: 325-326."
>
> Forrest, R., "Fire and Safety in Museums", Museums in Britain, Spring 1994:
> 16-21."
>
> Lein, H. L. (1982), ""Protecting museums from threat of fire"",  in: Knell,
> S. (ed.), Care of Collections. (Leicester Readers in Museum Studies).
> London/New York, 1994:276-279.
>
> Log, T. und P. Cannon-Brookes, "'Water Mist' for Fire Protection of Historic
> Buildings and Museums"" Museum Management and Curatorship 14/3, 1995: 283-298.
>
> Osborne, P., "Museum and Gallery Security", Study Series 4/1997, ICOM
> International Committee for Museum Security (ICAMS) 1997: 13-17.
>
> Wilson, J. A., "Sprinkler Systems", Study Series 4/1997, ICOM International
> Committee for Museum Security (ICAMS) 1997: 22-24.
>
> Greetings,
> Fritz
>
> At 15:28 20.05.1998 -0800, you wrote:
> >In considering an expansion for our 10 year-old, single-story, 12,000
> >square-foot facility, the question of fire suppression has been raised.  The
> >original building was designed without a sprinkler system (with fire-rated
> >walls, though I have not yet been able to ascertain the specific ratings).
> >The local fire station is only a block away, and the feeling was that the
> >likelihood of accidental discharge outweighed the risk of fire damage.
> >
> >According to the NPS Museum Handbook, "there have been many museum fires and
> >very few accidental discharges."  Now we are considering whether it would be
> >wise to install a sprinkler system if and when we add on.  A dry pipe/double
> >activated system with a built-in delay feature allowing the system to be
> >shut down by building occupants in case of an alarm has been recommended.  I
> >should mention that we are located on a university campus and tied into
> >campus security.
> >
> >I would appreciate any feedback, recommendations, experiences and/or horror
> >stories.  Thanks for your help!  -- Pam
> >
> >  Pam Endzweig  ([log in to unmask])
> >  Collections Manager & Staff Archaeologist
> >  UO Museum of Natural History
> >  1224 University of Oregon
> >  Eugene, Oregon 97403-1224; USA
> >  Ph 541-346-5120/Fx 541-346-5122
> >
> >
>
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> Friedrich WAIDACHER
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