[PADG:566] Re: Cold Storage

["Loren C. Pigniolo" <misterpuerh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I should have mentioned that humidity controlled cold storage units certainly do exist, but I am not familiar with the methods used to stabilize the moisture content of the air.  I suspect these systems are based on heating the air slightly above the freezer setting and that they are expensive to run.  In your dry climate, you may have the opposite problem of needing to add moisture to the cold air rather than heating, condensing, and removing it.

I would talk to Henry and Mark at Wilhelm Research as they have experience with these types of units and should be able to help you locate qualified manufacturers, installers, and maintenance engineers.

Loren C. Pigniolo
Preventive Conservation Specialist
San Francisco, CA
925.788.2231 (cell)


-----Original Message-----
From: Chris McAfee <McAfeeCK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Jul 13, 2005 7:40 AM
To: padg@xxxxxxx, consdist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [PADG:559] Cold Storage

Please excuse the cross-posting.
 
As some of you know, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is
building a new archives/library/preservation building. We want to build our
"vaults" to the highest standard possible. We are currently working under the
idea that we will have an area with -4 degree F cold storage for our most
valuable items (see http://www.wilhelm-research.com/). However, our building
engineers are concerned with problems of maintaining proper humidity levels,
keeping frost out, etc.
 
As we've consulted with other archives who have cold storage, their building
engineers have expressed concern with our desire to have -4 degree storage and
this has "frightened" our own building engineers. Of course, none of these
individuals have any cold storage less than 25 degrees and they have not dealt
with anything colder. So I have 3 requests:
 
First: I want to know (from a conservator's or preservation administrator's
point of view) how the physical rules change once you drop below 0 degrees.
 
Second: As most of the facilities we've talked to are also in more humid areas,
I also want to know how the physical rules change in a dry climate like Utah.
 
Third: If those of you who deal with cold storage (35 degrees F and lower) on a
regular basis, could make general comments on problems and solutions you've
experienced, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thank you,
Christopher McAfee
 
Christopher McAfee
Senior Conservator
Family and Church History Department
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
50 E. North Temple St. Rm. 227E
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3420

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