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The reasons for the breakdown are alhided to in the ad hoc committees's report.
I am not an expert in these matters and cannot speak authoritatively on the reason for the extensive damage to so many vaults. However, a reading of the report indicates that it may have Ijeen a combination of too many open or unlatched doors Avhen the fire began, and increased ventilation resulting from the firefighters' efforts.
At this point. Mr. Chairman, I think Ave should say that we do not blame the firemen for their zealous efforts. In the usual firefighters' ti'adition, they fought the blaze to the best of their ability. We thank them for that. Thej^ were careful to see that no lives were lost, at the risk of their own.
I can say that, based on extensive tests on the combustibility of nitrate film, which NARS conducted jointly with the Navy at its Indian Head, Md., facility after the fire, I disagree with the conclusion of the minority report, written by one member of the committee that :
It is probable that the December 1978 fire at the Suitland film vaults was caused by conditions rather similar to those that caused the August 1977 fire. Tliat is, deteriorating film being subjected to temperatures that were too warm.
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In the second instance, however, spontaneous combustion was likely precipitated by heat-producing activities of the workmen who were installing a new air-conditioning system.
Evidence from the NARS-Xavy test rules out this possibility. The recently-received report of these tests is now being edited, and can be made available Avithin the next several days.
As a result of this most recent fire, we are taking all steps possible to protect the remaining film until it can be converted, and to convert it as quickly as funds and capacity allow.
Specifically, we have added personnel to the conversion program and expanded the laboratory workday to include Saturdays, bringing our annual production capability to approximately 4 million feet. Advance notice and the presence of a GSA contract supervisor each day will be required when a contractor is working on the film vaults.
We are enforcing the rule that only one vault door may be opened at a time and that all doors must be closed unless someone is working in a vault. We have required that a fire plan be coordinated with the local fire department and that all film be removed from a vault before any hazardous work is performed by a contractor.
We also have reached agreement' with PBS that XARS officials will review all specifications dealing with alterations to the buildings or equipment before a contract is let.
In conjunction with PBS, we are investigating the possibility of converting Building A to a film laboratory to enable us to expand our capacity and to eliminate the necessity of taking nitrate film into the Archives Building.
Once the nitrate is converted, we will use the laboratorv for needed expansion space for reproducing safety film, as well as for other processes for which we need additional laboratory space. Most of the unfinished improvements on Building C will be completed late this year.