Archives and libraries
The fire load in this type of location is inherently high, given the high concentration of combustible items such as paper (books, documents, maps, etc.), cardboard and electrical components which may develop faults. Materials on shelves, ceilings, floors, paint and other possible materials represent an additional fire load.
Other possible origins may be human error, attacks or sabotage which are frequent in this type of installation. The fire can be devastating, not only due to fire damage but also factors such as smoke, fumes and heat, which can cause considerable damage to existing components and structures.
The general considerations to be taken into account in protecting these enclosures are:
- Protection of property with high artistic value.
- Type of automatic extinguishing system.
- Lack of compartmentalization.
- Old installations in many cases