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In July, the Foundation commissioned an analytical study to investigate the effectiveness of fire resistant barriers in containing the spread of fire and smoke in typical record storage compartments. The study was funded through a contribution from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and prepared by Craig Beyler and Nestor Iwankiw of Hughes Associates, Inc. NFPA hopes the study will provide valuable information to those designing record storage facilities.
The study used a risk assessment approach to consider fire resistance rating of the fire wall, construction material, height of the wall and interaction with the roof structure, doors/penetrations, aisle at the fire wall, their impact on fire severity, and fire department access and control. The report points out that fire walls are a critical part of the overall fire protection strategy for record storage, NFPA says.
Copies of the 70-page report can be downloaded at the Research Foundation Web site at http://www.nfpa.org/foundation/reports