Storage Conditions and the Environmental Elements We are offering this advice as a guide only, these are not the absolute guidelines for storing your microfilm. Please check with your governing agency as to your specific needs. All of the follow information pertains to your MASTER microfilm. The duplicated film is designed to be more resilient to abuse and is intended for day to day use. When these duplicates wear out that is the only time that your master film should ever be removed from storage (for making another set of duplicates)...     The storage area needs to be kept clean, tidy, and dust-free. Relative-humidity and temperature: The rate of most chemical reactions such as the degradation of film base is lowered with decreasing temperature and decreasing relative-humidity. Consequently, life expectancy is increased as either storage temperature or relative-humidity is lowered. The required limits are: Maximum temperature shall not exceed 21 degrees C or 69.80000000000001 F. Microfilm degrades more quickly when exposed to ultraviolet light. Fluorescent tubes which are low in ultraviolet light should be used wherever possible in storage areas. Ultraviolet light can be easily measured with a light meter, and levels should not exceed 75µW/lumen. Lights should be turned off whenever possible. Storage areas should not have windows, but if they do they should be covered with curtains or blinds. Preservation and duplicating masters should be stored in a clean, dark, climatically controlled environment. Black and white material should be kept at 8–12C and 30–40% relative humidity, and color at less than 5C and 30–40% relative humidity. Temporary records and reference copies can be stored under general archives standards of 18–22C and 45–55% relative humidity. <> Back to Top <> Contact Us__|__Send e-mail__|__Site Index__|__Home Page