We have fire exits for our storage and display areas.

Colleagues from other museums have told me that if staff have keys to turn
off door alarms, they will do so, and will leave them off. I encountered
this 1/2 an hour ago in one of our modern display buildings.

Opinions may vary, but here are my suggestions: The question is one of
'absolute' security of collection or safety for staff? A compromise is
needed to attain a good balance between the two. Fire exits from storage -
yes, but ideally on alarm and ideally rigged so that staff CANNOT turn the
alarms off with a key or code. Ideally monitored through a central security
office. Another large museum an hour and a half drive from here has its back
doors on alarm, staff cannot turn them off, and they have to phone security
BEFORE using the doors. Seems like a good idea.

Not everyone has a central security office so key or code control may be
necessary, but try to limit who has this control. One way, if you have
limited staff, is to have the "OFF" key in a  sealed envelope (ideally
tamper-proof). If it has to be used, the envelope then has to be replaced,
and therefore the use explained.

Colin Macgregor Stevens,
Curator,
Burnaby Village Museum,
Burnaby, BC, CANADA


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of TK Vancura
> Sent: May 14, 2000 10:47
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: fire exit in storage?
>
>
> I am designing a collections storage space and would appreciate opinions
> on the pros and cons of including a fire exit. The storage area will be
> about 1200 sq. ft. normally accessible through double doors from an
> interior hallway.  Is it prudent to have no other way to get in or out?

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