Elizabeth, I have had direct experience with dry pipe systems in several collections and archives storage areras that constantly leak rusty oil drippings where the threaded ends of the pipes are joined. If you walk through and keep scanning the dry pipe systems you will inevitably see drips just hanging in these spots - not good! Cheers! Dave David Harvey Conservator Los Angeles, California USA -----Original Message----- From: Elizabeth Appleby <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Thu, 9 Jun 2005 11:20:49 -0400 Subject: Fire Suppression Systems 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 ========================================================= 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).