New Heritage ColleCtioNs storage scheme

restore is delighted to have been chosen by the National Conservation service (NCs) to be the provider of an innovative new storage scheme aimed at supporting museums, archives and libraries.

After a rigorous selection process, with over 50 heritage institutions involved from across the UK, Restore’s storage service at Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, was chosen as the optimum site to

store collections in high quality and secure conditions compliant with the specifications in British Standards PD5454:2012, at a very low cost.

IN CONFIDENCENATIONAL CONSERVATION SERVICE

seCurity & ProteCtioNto meet the onerous specifications in PD5454, storage repositories must represent the lowest possible risk to valuable heritage collections intended to be protected for generations to come. upper Heyford was assessed against the standard’s criteria for risk:

• Security of location – Upper Heyford’s ex-airforce site represents high security in a low risk location;

• Security of building – the hardened aircraft shelters, converted to storage units, are massive impregnable structures with the addition of state-of-the-art security access controls;

• Low fire risk – there are no external fire risks at the site and internal risks are designed out in the conversion;

• Fire protection – highly sensitive aspirated fire detection systems are installed to maximise investigation time should anything unexpected happen;

• Flood protection – Heyford is on a hill, well above the minimum hundred year flood plain level with excellent drainage provision in and around the ex-aircraft shelters and no water supply inside;

• Collection management – Restore’s justified reputation as providers of tight location control and retrieval services support the protection of collections against loss.

CoNservatioN serviCesthe National Conservation service brings to this partnership the expertise of renowned, highly qualified and accredited specialists in the field of conservation for archive, library and museum collections.

NCS has specified the storage criteria and standards that must be met and will continue to monitor to ensure clients’ valuable collections are protected. NCS will have additional services at the site including a new conservation suite, packaging equipment, decontamination and quarantine facilities, and specialist digitisation services.

HistoriC sitesThe shelters at Upper Heyford used for the NCS heritage storage scheme are themselves scheduled historical monuments, listed and protected by English Heritage. NCS and Restore successfully demonstrated to English Heritage and the Secretary of State that they could be trusted to convert and maintain these important heritage buildings sensitively, with conservation in mind.

eNviroNMeNteven if a building is secure and well constructed, the internal environment must be right for the objects stored inside or there is risk of damage from damp, mould, pests or dryness and excessive heat.

The shelters at Heyford are massive structures that can hold a stable temperature and humidity if converted properly. With expertise from NCS, the shelters used for the new service have been designed to be well sealed against changes in conditions outside and incorporate back-up systems if humidity gets too high or temperature too low.

low eNergyRestore is committed to minimising its carbon footprint and the use of non-renewable energy. The NCS shelters at Heyford can maintain internal conditions with the lowest possible input of energy, making them green solutions for long term care of heritage.

retrieving stored itemsMany custodians need items to be retrieved from time to time, for readers in libraries and archives for example, or for exhibitions and loans. Spaces are provided at the site, close to the storage shelters, where custodians can come to work on their collections. A regular retrieval service is available to deliver items back to your institution for you or your users’ needs.

a perfect location - upper heyford ticks all the boxes

SECURE ENTRy SySTEM

CCTV MONITORING

FIRE SUPPRESSION SySTEM

TEMPERATURE CONTROL

HUMIDITy CONTROL

The environment for archives, books and other organic material objects needs to meet the humidity and temperature specifications in PD5454 all year round and must be free of pests that might cause damage to the collections. NCS has specified the appropriate environments in different shelters depending on their contents, and NCS staff monitor these to ensure compliance.

How to joiN tHe sCHeMethe aim of this collaborative scheme is to provide a premium storage service at a bargain price, so that all those responsible for the care of historic collections can afford to have the best storage environment in a top security location.

To take advantage, you will need to be responsible for heritage collections such as archives, books, museum objects, works of art and archaeological artefacts. The price for joining is just £38 per annum. your organisation must be a supporting member of NCS (which costs just £38 per year).

21 Albemarle StMayfair, London W1S 4BST: 07855 796985E: enquiries@ncs.org.ukwww.conservationltd.com

How Does it worK?when we visit we will help you to identify:

• How much space your collections will take up in storage and the rental cost;

• What types of collection material need which storage environment;

• Whether any of your collections are contaminated if they have come from damp or poor locations (they may need to be monitored before going into the store);

• What the packaging needs are for your collections to ensure they are well protected in suitable boxes and crates;

• What the removals work may entail and its likely costs (some collections can be moved to the site free of charge – just ask us about whether a free uplift might apply to your collection).

® registered collective trade mark of accredited conservator-restorers

When you are ready to move your collection to Heyford, you will agree a contract with Restore, based on a standard defined by NCS. We will advise you on removals and arrange these for you if you wish.

the first step is to contact the National Conservation service by writing to Chris woods at:enquiries@ncs.org.uk

An NCS conservator will visit your premises, discuss your collections and their needs and help you plan your move.

you are welcome to come and see the storage site, just ask when you contact NCS and a site visit will be arranged.

wHo’s BeHiND it?the National Conservation service is run by Chris woods PGDipCons, BAhons

CertCons RAMARA

ACR FIIC.

Chris is a well known and very experienced conservator and consultant, formerly a manager at the Bodleian Library and a director at the Tate. Together with other accredited associates, NCS provides a not-for-profit membership service for archives, libraries and museums to help them plan and carry out the conservation needs of their collections. See www.ncs.org.uk for more information.

IN CONFIDENCE

Document Management DivisionUnit 1, Redhill Distribution CentreSalbrook Road, Salfords, RedhillSurrey RH1 5DyT: 0844 725 5540 E: sales@restore.co.ukwww.restore.co.uk

Restore Senior NCS Project ManagerMichael Watts E: michael.watts@restore.co.ukT: 0186 923 8524M: 0779 273 2708

NATIONAL CONSERVATION SERVICE