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expected to eliminate most of these difficulties. Recopying the film will take an estimated one to three years .
VI. Conclusion:
It is probable that the December 197 8 fire at the Suitland film vaults was caused by conditions rather similar to those that caused the August 1977 fire, i.e., deteriorating film being subjected to temperatures that were too warm. 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.
VII. Recommendations:
Because the nitrate film reproduction and handling facilities in the National Archives building are well below the minimum standards for fire and lifesafety (cf. chapter tO of the National Fire Protection Association standards), nitrate film should be banned from the National Archives building forthwith. The existing sprinkler system in the National Archives film lab has been badly compromised by building modifications done after the system was installed. The agency is unlikely to install a deluge system and approved exits that meet the minimum standards for handling nitrate film because of the expense involved. For lifesafety reasons, then, if not for protection of agency records, other duplication facilities should be set up. It may be possible to refurbish the burned out building at Suitland and use it for that purpose .
Employees should be given instruction in what to do to protect themselves in the event of a nitrate fire in the National Archives facilities. Also, the exit nearest the film laboratory in the National Archives building is on the floor directly over the lab and has treadle-actuated doors which open inward. The door on the left side has to be actuated by someone entering the building, with the result that it usually remains closed during firedrills. Employees must exit single file on the right side and there is always a large bottleneck at this exit. The exit should be modified to permit employees to exit more rapidly.
The National Archives should begin a program to cull out nonarchival nitrate film immediately and destroy it by approved methods or donate it to another depository.
The agency should also adopt and enforce stricter accessioning and retention standards, especially with regard to nitrate film. No new collections should be accepted unless there are facilities to handle them that meet minimum fire and lifesafety standards.