National Archives and Records Service film-vault fire at Suitland, Md. : hearings before a subcommittee of the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, first session, June 19 and 21, 1979 (1979)

Record Details:

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152 Mr. Butler. Oh, yes. I am probably not bright enough to absorb it. but I hope the Archives can. I would ask you one more question — if I may, Mr. Chairman? Mr. Preyer. Certainly. Mr. Butler. You rattled off a list from a standard procedure, and I did not catch the name. Mr. Degenkolb. The National Fire Protection Association Standard No. 40 — standard for nitrate film. rSee app. 7 for relevant excerpt.] Mr. Butler. And it is certainly reasonable to assume that that information was available from 1970? Mr. Degenkolb. The standard is quite old. The date that is on it now is 1974, but as far back as 20 years ago I had suggested to the National Fire Protection Association thai: that standard should be updated. They were not con\nnced that it should be because they felt that, since no nitrate film had been manufactured since 1951, we did not need to update the standard. So, the standard is quite old. It has not been updated — I am guessing— for at least 20 years. So, these requirements were known back in the early 19.50's, and there was a standard long before that. I think the first standard on nitrate film was dated somewhere around 1918 or 1919. Mr. Butler. So, the standard has not been updated, but it has not been discredited either, has it? Mr. Degenkolb. No, sir. It has not been discredited. Mr. Butler. So. this is information that should have been generally available. Mr. Degenkolb. Yes. Mr. Butler. "Well, I thank you xery much for your testimony. T appreciate your interest. I guess, Mr. Chairman, the thine that concerns me is that the film industry, which certainly ouglit to know more than anyone else about it, is continuously reviewing its preservation and storage techniques : but there does not seem to be any continuing exchange of the benefits of this research with Federal agencies. I hope that one tliinq: that miffht come out of this hearinqr would at least be the development of a continuing information exchange program. Mr. Preyer. I think that is a good point. Thank you very much for your testimony. I believe we have, for the record, an outline of your credentials which I understand are very impressive. The nature of your testimony convinces me of that, even without running through the credentials. We appreciate verv much your beinsr with us today. Mr. Degenkolb. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. [Mr. Degenkolb's prepared statement follows :]