Storage facilities designed for the preservation of historical and cultural artifacts are crucial for safeguarding the cultural heritage of any society. These rooms, which may be referred to as archival repositories, archival storage spaces, or preservation chambers, all share a common goal: to protect and preserve valuable documents, artifacts, and objects for future generations.
One of the primary functions of these storage facilities is to provide a secure and climate-controlled environment for storing materials. This is essential because fluctuations in temperature and humidity can damage or degrade documents and artifacts over time. These storage spaces often have precise temperature and humidity controls, ensuring that the stored items remain in optimal condition. Additionally, they are typically designed to minimize exposure to light, as exposure can cause fading and other forms of damage.
The security of these facilities is also of utmost importance. The materials stored in these spaces are often irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind, making security a top priority. Many repositories have sophisticated security systems in place, including CCTV cameras, motion sensors, and biometric access controls. These measures ensure that only authorized personnel can access the stored materials, reducing the risk of theft, damage, or loss.
In addition to providing storage space for materials, these facilities can also be used as research facilities. Many have reading rooms or other spaces where scholars and researchers can examine the stored materials. These spaces are designed to be comfortable and conducive to research, with features such as desks, chairs, and lighting that allow for extended periods of study.
One of the challenges of managing an archival repository is the ongoing maintenance and upkeep required to ensure that the stored materials remain in good condition. This includes tasks such as monitoring temperature and humidity levels, inspecting materials for signs of damage or decay, and implementing conservation measures when necessary. The staff of these storage spaces must also be trained in proper handling and storage techniques to minimize the risk of damage to the materials.
Archival storage rooms are used to store items that require unique environmental conditions, such as, architectural records, still and motion pictures, negatives, x-rays, microfilm, slides, tapes, disks, paintings ceramics, metallic items, bones, fabrics, and more.
Another challenge of managing an archival storage space is ensuring that the materials stored within are accessible to researchers and the public. Many institutions that maintain these facilities have implemented digitization programs to make their collections more widely available. Digitization involves scanning or photographing documents, photographs, and other materials and making them available online. While digitization is not a substitute for physical access to materials, it can help to increase access to collections and make them more widely available to researchers and the public.
Due to the significant value and irreplaceable nature of the items being stored, unique environmental conditions are required—a skill and responsibility that shouldn’t be undertaken by a company designing the HVAC system for the complete building.
At ES Chanmbers, we understand that each historical artifact or record is special and often requires a specialized environment to avoid degradation over time. In many situations, in fact, multiple environments must be created to house various individual items.
With a rich history of designing and building archival storage facilities for organizations like the Smithsonian, Getty Center, Harvard, and multiple Presidential Libraries, you can be sure that we’ll build a storage environment for you that delivers tight temperature and RH control as well as air handling for cleanroom environments.
To learn more about the Controlled Storage Rooms by Environmental Specialties, Please contact us via phone or email.
