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We have discovered in recent weeks, at least two or three instances in our Federal Records Centers, where there was some nitrate film. I think a little bit of motion picture film and some cut film was there. We have removed it from the premises and returned it to the agencies from which we received it.
This is material that is still in the official and legal custody of the depositing agency rather than in our own custody.
Mr. Kindness. Has there been any reinspection or ree valuation of the storage at the laboratory facility in the main Archives building recently in view of the fire experience ?
Dr. JRhoads. Yes, we have taken another look at that since the fire. Although our preference would be to do this copying out of the Archives building, we do have firewalls and sprinklers in our laboratory. We bring in only the small amount which can be processed in one day.
Mr. Kindness. Are we sure it is a deluge sprinkler system ?
Dr. Rhoads. Mr. Kindness, I am not sure.
Mr. Kindness. I thought that was almost a facetious question, but it is not, it turns out. I then must ask this. With regard to cooperation with the District of Columbia Fire Department, have they, since the fire in Suitland, been asked to come in and look at the circumstances in tlie Archives building?
Mr. Rhoads. T am not sure. Perhaps Mr. Landers can respond to that.
Mr. Landers. The Public Buildings Service's accident and fire protection people have been in twice. The Occupational Safety, and Health people were in last week. We have the reports from the PBS inspections. So far as I know, the system is either satisfactory or we are underway to make it satisfactory. I think it is the former.
I do not have any report yet from the OSHA people.
Whether PBS has gotten together with the District of Columbia Fire Department, T am not sure.
Mr. Ingram. Excuse me, Mr. Kindness.
I meant to call the committee's attention earlier to the fact that prior to the hearing today we were handed a response of OSHA to a letter from the Chairman. If you wish, I could read that into the record.
Mr. Kindness. We might do that in a moment.
I am more concerned with firefighters who have to go in there and fight a fire if something does occur. I am wondering whether it would not be a good idea to make sure that the District of Columbia Fire Department is contacted and does have the opportunity to look specifically at this and make any recommendations that they might have.
Dr. Rhoads. That is a very good suggestion. We will follow through on that.
Mr, Kindness. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Preyer. We have run a little longer than we intended to today. We have a vote on the floor right now, and I am afraid there are luncheon engagements.
Thursday we will be going into the whole preservation of records problem generally and not just the Suitland fire.