Maeva, I checked with our architect regarding the plans for fire suppression in storage at the new DeYoung Museum building.  He tells me that we are getting a 'delayed action dry-pipe sprinkler system'.  In short, the system is not charged with water until two smoke detectors in different storage zones have gone off.  Then, the sprinklers will not go off until one of the detectors has melted.  (I assume that there is some sort of low melting point plastic inside the detector.)  There is no water in the sprinkler system until the detectors are triggered, which helps to prevent leaks and provides a time delay in which to switch off the system in the case of an accidental activation.  
        We had a halon system in the old building, which is better from the standpoint of the art, but is no longer allowed under California (and Federal?) law.  I am not familiar with the heptafluoropropane system you have been offered.  I'd be interested to hear if this has been used anywhere else?
        Joanne Hackett.


> ----------
> From:         Maeva Schwend
> Reply To:     Textile Conservators
> Sent:         Thursday, June 26, 2003 9:40 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Fire supression systems
> 
> I work at the conservation department of a costume and textile museum in
> Santiago, Chile, that is planned to open in a few years.
> 
> At this moment we are designing the future facilities and we are trynig to
> gather some information to choose the best fire extinguishing system for the
> storage areas.
> 
> We are beeing offered the FM-200(heptafluoropropane), an alternative to
> halon gases.
> On the other hand, reading some conservation publications, it seems that
> museums and libraries are tending to install water sprinkler systems.
> 
> I would appreciate any comments on this matter, to help clarify our
> decission,
> 
> Maeva Schwend
> 
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