BS5454

Magnum services works to the guidelines set out in BS 5454:2000 Recommendations for the storage and exhibition of archival document we pay particular care in the following sections:

4 Site of building:
5.3 Protection against Fire
5.4 protection against damage by water
5.6 Protection against damage from pests
5.7 security
6 Fire precautions
7.2 environmental controls
7.3 recommended storage temperatures and relative humidity
7.4 Ventilation
7.6 monitoring
9 Storage and production equipment
10 Packaging for storage
11 modern media

 

BS5454 – Recommendations for shelving

  • Shelving should be designed in such a way as to provide adequate ventilation, allowing free movement of air around the stock to ensure pockets of stale air or humidity do not pose a threat to the stored material.
  • The lower shelf level should be at least 150mm from the ground.
  • Shelving systems should have clear unobstructed apertures, ensuring that all shelf clips are concealed within the shelving structure and do not protrude through the frame to cause the snagging of valuable items.
  • Shelf frames should not impede the clear aperture available for storage (where possible) to avoid snagging or damage. Ideally, a double-skinned frame should be used.
  • Each shelf aperture should have a 50mm gap from the top of the stored material to the underside of the shelf above.
  • Ideally, shelves should be manually adjustable on a 25mm pitch, to accommodate units of varying size and shape.
  • The front edge of each shelf should be rounded or turned so that there is no sharp or angular edge to damage documents, injure people, or obstruct the withdrawal or replacement of documents.
  • All shelves should have provision for labeling to clearly identify materials stored.
  • Open frames are the preferred means of construction to ensure through flow of air.
  • Solid side walls with perforations are suitable if loose items are to be stored.
  • Solid back sheets to the shelving units should be avoided, although open-mesh back sheets or back-bracing is acceptable. Again, this ensures through flow of air.