scope:

This standard provides requirements for records protection equipment and facilities and records-handling techniques that provide protection from the hazards of fire. This standard does not consider forcible entry.

This standard covers the following four categories of records storage environments and corresponding levels of risk tolerance:

(1) Records vaults, which provide the highest level of protection

(2) File rooms, which provide an intermediate level of protection for active and semiactive records

(3) Archival storage, which provides a high level of protection for permanently valuable records

(4) Records centers, which provide an intermediate level of protection for temporary records 

This standard does not cover the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film records.

This standard does not cover the storage and handling of useful records.

Purpose.

This standard is prepared for the use and guidance of those charged with purchasing, designing, constructing, installing, inspecting, approving, listing, operating, or maintaining equipment and facilities that protect records against fire and its associated effects.

This standard also is intended for the use and guidance of those charged with planning, surveying, classifying, retaining, disposing, and otherwise handling records.