Fireproof cabinets

Can anyone offer advice for or against storing archives in
fire-proof cabinets? The owner of a local Georgian, listed country
house wishes to rehouse the family papers in one in the attic. We
have yet to visit and establish the conditions there, but meanwhile
have advised liaison with the fire service for prevention advice etc
and that attics are not usually advisable storage areas, but in a
listed building such things can be difficult.

I have been advised that a fire cabinet is best insulated with
non-hygroscopic material, which would not release lots of moisture
if the temperature were to rise. Also, if the attic turns out to be
damp, I would be concerned about condensation/ventilation. Can
anyone recommend a good supplier or model?

Shirley Jones
West Yorkshire Archive Service


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:15
                Distributed: Tuesday, September 20, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-15-033
                                  ***