ISO 18911:2000
(Main)Imaging materials — Processed safety photographic films — Storage practices
Imaging materials — Processed safety photographic films — Storage practices
Matériaux pour image — Films photographiques de sécurité traités — Techniques d'archivage
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18911
First edition
2000-11-01
Imaging materials — Processed safety
photographic films — Storage practices
Matériaux pour image — Films photographiques de sécurité traités —
Techniques d'archivage
Reference number
ISO 18911:2000(E)
©
ISO 2000
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
Contents Page
Foreword.iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and definitions .2
4 Film enclosures.3
5 Storage housings.5
6 Storage rooms.5
7 Environmental conditions.6
8 Fire-protective storage (see annex K) .10
9 Film identification, handling, and inspection (see annexes B, H and I) .10
Annex A (informative) Numbering system for related International Standards.12
Annex B (informative) Distinction between storage (record) copies and work (reference) copies.13
Annex C (informative) Advantages and disadvantages of protective (sealed) enclosures.14
Annex D (informative) Air-entrained and gaseous impurities .15
Annex E (informative) Humidity during storage.16
Annex F (informative) Temperature during storage .17
Annex G (informative) Temperature/relative humidity relationship.18
Annex H (informative) Historic photographic records .20
Annex I (informative) Microenvironments .21
Annex J (informative) Silver image degradation.22
Annex K (informative) Fire protection.23
Bibliography.24
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO
member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard ISO 18911 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
This first edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition of ISO 5466:1996, of which it constitutes a technical
revision.
This International Standard is one of a series of International Standards dealing with the physical properties and
stability of imaging materials. To facilitate identification of these International Standards, they are assigned a
number within the block from 18900 to 18999 (see annex A).
Annexes A to K of this International Standard are for information only.
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
Introduction
The value of records used in archives, museums, libraries, government, commerce and universities has focused
attention on the care of these records to ensure their longest possible life (see [1, 2, 3] in the bibliography).
Photographic film is an important documentary and pictorial material, and there is a recognized need for
information on safeguarding photographic film having legal, scientific, industrial, artistic or historical value.
Films are susceptible to degradation from many sources. These factors may be divided into three general
categories as follows.
a) Nature of the photographic film
The stability of photographic film records depends on the physical and chemical nature of the film. The specification
for safety photographic film which is suitable for storage is described in ISO 18906.
For preservation purposes, processed photographic films are classified according to their life expectancy or LE
designation. These are specified in the appropriate International Standards. The term “archival” is no longer
specified to express longevity or stability in International Standards on imaging materials, since it has been
interpreted to have many meanings that range from “preserving information forever,” which is unattainable, to
“temporary storage of actively used information.”
For optimum preservation of photographic information, a high LE film should be used, and it should be stored under
extended-term storage conditions. A film material suitable for preservation is silver-gelatin type film on polyester
base that meets the requirements of ISO 10602. However, this International Standard also applies to processed
colour, diazo (ISO 8225), vesicular (ISO 9718) and thermally processed silver (ISO 18919) films. Although these
film types may not have as high an LE designation, excellent keeping properties have been obtained with many of
them.
b) Photographic processing of the film
For black-and-white silver-gelatin type film, ISO 10602 specifies a maximum residual thiosulfate level for different
LE classifications and a residual silver compounds level.
For diazo film, ISO 8225 specifies a proper development test. ISO 9718, for vesicular film, includes both a proper
development test and a residual diazonium salt test.
c) Storage conditions
The conditions under which safety photographic film records should be stored are extremely important for the
preservation of film and are the subject of this International Standard (see ISO 18906). The same environmental
conditions are recommended for nitrate-base films, but they shall be stored in a separate storage area having
suitable fire protection safeguards (see [4] in the bibliography).
The important elements affecting preservation of processed film are humidity, temperature and air pollutants, as
well as the hazards of fire, water, light, fungal growth, insects, microbiological attack, contact with certain chemicals
in solid, liquid or gaseous form, and physical damage. Direct contact with other generic types of film can be
detrimental to either film.
The extent to which humidity, temperature, and atmospheric contaminants or variations thereof can be permitted to
reach beyond recommended limits without producing adverse effects will depend upon the duration of exposure,
the biological conditions conducive to fungal growth, and the accessibility of this atmosphere to the emulsion and
support surfaces. Exposure to high temperatures, and in particular to high humidities, can lead to degradation of
the film support and the photographic emulsion (see [5, 6, 7] in the bibliography). Cellulose ester base films are
more subject to base degradation than polyester base films.
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
There are two levels of storage conditions: medium-term and extended-term. Medium-term storage can be used for
films where the information is to be preserved for a minimum of 10 years, while extended-term storage conditions
can extend the useful life of a majority of freshly processed films to 500 years. However, extended-term storage
conditions will prolong the life of all films, independent of age, type or processing conditions. The storage protection
provided by each level will differ in degree, as will the cost of providing and maintaining the storage facility.
Immediate availability of space and cost may need to be considered when selecting storage conditions. It is
recognized that many facilities may not be able to obtain the low humidity and low temperature levels specified in
this International Standard because of energy considerations, climate conditions or building construction. Such
deviation from the specified conditions will reduce the degree of protection offered, and in such cases maintaining a
humidity and temperature as low as possible will still provide some benefits.
This International Standard is not designed to provide protection against natural or man-made catastrophes, with
the exception of fire and associated hazards which are sufficiently common to warrant inclusion of protection
measures.
In addition to the recommendations in this International Standard, good storage practices must consider the filing
enclosure. These are covered in ISO 18902.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18911:2000(E)
Imaging materials — Processed safety photographic films —
Storage practices
1 Scope
This International Standard provides recommendations concerning the storage conditions, storage facilities,
handling and inspection for all processed safety photographic films (hereafter referred to as photographic film) in
roll, strip, aperture-card or sheet format, regardless of size.
This International Standard is applicable to extended-term and medium-term storage of photographic film as
defined in clause 3.
It is applicable to photographic film records intended as storage copies, which should not be in frequent use. It
does not apply to “work” or “use” copies (see annex B).
This International Standard, while intended for materials that are properly processed, should also be of
considerable value in prolonging the useful life of photographic film whose processing conditions are unknown, or
that have been toned, retouched, or have markings with materials of uncertain or unknown stability.
This International Standard is applicable only to safety photographic film (see ISO 18906). Nitrate-base films are
hazardous (see [8] in the bibliography) and are not covered by this International Standard. They require special
storage considerations (see [4] in the bibliography), but the environmental conditions specified in this International
Standard are applicable.
The storage of photographic prints and photographic plates requires different considerations. They are not covered
in this International Standard, but are described respectively in ISO 18920 and ISO 18918.
2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
this International Standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these
publications do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For
undated references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC
maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.
1)
ISO 18906:— , Imaging materials — Photographic films — Specifications for safety film.
ISO 8225:1995, Photography — Ammonia-processed diazo photographic film — Specifications for stability.
ISO 9718:1995, Photography — Processed vesicular photographic film — Specifications for stability.
ISO 10602:1995, Photography — Processed silver-gelatin type black-and-white film — Specifications for stability.
1)
ISO 18915:— , Imaging materials — Methods for the evaluation of the effectiveness of chemical conversion of
silver images against oxidation.
1) To be published.
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
ISO 14523:1999, Photography — Processed photographic materials — Photographic activity test for enclosure
materials.
ISO 18902:2000, Imaging materials — Processed photographic films, plates and papers — Filing enclosures and
storage containers.
ISO 18919:1999, Imaging materials — Thermally processed silver microfilm — Specifications for stability.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this International Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
archival medium
recording material that can be expected to retain information forever, so that such information can be retrieved
without significant loss when properly stored
NOTE There is, however, no such material and it is not a term to be used in International Standards or system
specifications.
3.2
duplicate
reproduction of a master, retaining the same polarity and size
3.3
extended-term storage conditions
storage conditions suitable for the preservation of recorded information on the majority of freshly and properly
processed photographic films for 500 years
3.4
fire-protective storage
facility designed to protect records against excessive temperatures, water and other fire-fighting agents, and steam
developed by insulation of safes or caused by the extinguishing of fires and collapsing structures
3.5
life expectancy
LE
length of time that information is predicted to be acceptable in a system at 21 °Cand50%RH
3.6
LE designation
rating for the life expectancy (3.5) of recording materials and associated retrieval systems
NOTE The number following the LE symbol is a prediction of the minimum life expectancy in years for which information
can be retrieved without significant loss when stored at 21 °C and 50 % RH, e.g., LE-100 indicates that information can be
retrieved after at least 100 years storage.
3.7
macroenvironment
atmospheric conditions (temperature, relative humidity and pollutants) in a large area in which records are kept
3.8
medium-term storage conditions
storage conditions suitable for the preservation of recorded information for a minimum of 10 years
3.9
microenvironment
atmospheric conditions (temperature, relative humidity and pollutants) inside a storage enclosure in which records
are kept
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
3.10
open enclosure
enclosure that is intended for physical protection against mechanical damage, but is neither light-tight nor airtight
NOTE Such enclosures may be reels, cores, spools, cassettes, magazines, folders, envelopes, cartons, boxes, sleeves,
transparency mounts or aperture cards.
3.11
protective enclosures
impermeable sealed containers, that may also have to be opaque, used for protection from outside factors such as
reactive gases and moisture, including changes in relative humidity, and from light for certain kinds of products
NOTE Such enclosures may be taped cans and sealed envelopes.
3.12
safety photographic film
film that meets the flammability specifications defined in ISO 18906
3.13
storage housing
physical structure supporting materials and their enclosures
NOTE It may consist of drawers, racks, shelves or cabinets.
4 Film enclosures
4.1 Requirements
All enclosures used for medium-term and extended-term storage shall meet the requirements of ISO 18902.
4.2 Film in roll format
4.2.1 Medium-term storage enclosures
Aerial film, microfilm, motion-picture film, and some portrait films are wound on reels or cores and stored in roll
form. The rolls shall all be wound tightly, but not under extreme tensions. A tension caused by 0,3 N of pull-out
force for a 35 mm film width is recommended. Rolls greater than 150 m in length shall be stored so that the radius
of the roll is in the horizontal position and the film is supported on its edges. Rolls less than 150 m in length may
also be stored with the radius of the roll in the vertical position, if the core itself is supported by a horizontal spindle
inserted into the cores so as to avoid pressure on the bottom of the roll. However, if such rolls are on reels or
spools which have flanges, a spindle is not required since the flanges support the weight of the roll.
Motion-picture prints shall be wound with the emulsion surface on the inside of the roll, as this improves
subsequent projection performance (see [9] in the bibliography).
Rolls of photographic film shall be stored in closed containers to provide protection against dirt and physical
damage, unless the film is protected by the storage housing (see clause 5).
Colour, diazo and thermally-processed silver films shall be stored in closed, opaque enclosures or be otherwise
protected from light exposure. Suitable enclosures are containers with telescoping, slip-type, or threaded twist-on
lids. The materials used shall meet the same requirements as those for cores and reels. Closed enclosures are not
necessarily airtight and may provide limited access to ambient air. Therefore, if they are used, the humidity of the
ambient air shall not exceed the recommended limits.
Protective enclosures made from impermeable materials shall be used, where needed, to maintain the humidity
limits of the film (see clause 7), to protect against gaseous impurities in the atmosphere, or when low-temperature
storage is used without humidity control (see annex C). Suitable enclosures are closed containers with friction-type
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
or threaded, twist-on lids having an incorporated seal. Rubber gaskets shall not be used. Cans within heat-sealed
foil bags also provide protection from high humidity.
Metal containers provide the best protection against gases from the environment. However, they may corrode from
2)
acidic fumes from within the container unless they are protected with an overcoat. Alternative materials are
polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene.
4.2.2 Extended-term storage enclosures
For extended-term storage, the requirements of 4.2.1 shall be met. The materials used for reels, cores, and
containers shall meet the requirements of ISO 18902 and ISO 14523. Rubber bands shall not be used for confining
film on reels or cores. If paper bands are used, the paper shall meet, as a minimum requirement, the specifications
described in ISO 18902 and ISO 14523. Films on reels may be confined by tucking the film end between the roll
and the flange. Pressure-sensitive tape, if needed for the enclosure, shall be free from peroxide and pass the
photographic activity test specified in ISO 14523. Pressure-sensitive tape shall not be used in contact with the film.
Films may have possible interactions with other films that are of a different generic type (for example, diazo and
silver-gelatin), as well as with magnetic tapes and optical disks. Films of a different generic type shall not be wound
in the same rolls or stored in the same enclosures. Closed containers are required, unless the photographic film is
protected from dirt and damage by the storage housing (see clause 5).
4.3 Film in sheet and slide format
4.3.1 Medium-term storage enclosures
Film in sheet form may be stored in envelopes of paper or plastic foil, folding cartons, boxes, file folders, aperture
cards, or film strip jackets. Photographic slides may be stored in cardboard, metal or plastic boxes. Colour, diazo,
and thermally-processed silver films shall be stored in opaque envelopes or folders, or otherwise protected from
light exposure. Films should not be stacked, as this could cause excessive pressure on the lowermost sheets.
When in direct contact with the surface of the photographic film, the paper or plastic material used for envelopes,
sleeves, jackets, folders, boxes and cartons shall meet, as a minimum requirement, the specifications described in
ISO 18902 and ISO 14523.
Suitable plastic enclosure materials are uncoated polyester (polyethylene terephthalate), polystyrene, polyethylene
and polypropylene. Glassine envelopes and chlorinated, nitrated or highly plasticized sheeting shall be avoided.
Specifically, cellulose nitrate and polyvinyl chloride are not acceptable.
Protective enclosures shall be used, where needed, to maintain humidity within the limits recommended for the
specific film type (see clause 7), to protect against gaseous impurities in the atmosphere, or when low-temperature
storage is used without humidity control. Heat-sealable envelopes, consisting of aluminum foil extrusion coated with
clear polyethylene on the inside and laminated to a suitable paper sheet on the outside, have been successfully
used as sealed enclosures. Precautions should be taken in handling these envelopes, so that they are not
punctured. To provide greater protection against pinholes, a double bagging technique is recommended.
The adhesive used for seams and joints shall also meet the requirements of ISO 18902 and ISO 14523. The filing
enclosure shall be constructed so that any seam or joint will be at the edge of the enclosure and not in contact with
the image layer.
2)
Any film that is actively releasing acidic fumes shall be stored in plastic or acid-neutralizing envelopes.
2) Some vesicular films give off acidic fumes that may interact with silver, diazo or dye-gelatin type films. Decomposing
acetate-base films release acetic acid, which further catalyses base degradation.
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
4.3.2 Extended-term storage enclosures
For extended-term storage, the requirements of 4.3.1 shall be met except that film shall not be stored in cardboard
enclosures.
Photographic-quality gelatin, modified and photographically inert starch, some acrylic and polyvinyl acetate
adhesives and methyl cellulose are suitable for use with paper storage enclosures. Pressure-sensitive
(permanently tacky) adhesives shall meet the specifications of ISO 18902 and ISO 14523.
Films may have possible interactions with other films that are of a different generic type (for example, diazo and
silver-gelatin), as well as with magnetic tapes and optical disks. Films of different generic types shall not be
interfiled or be in physical contact.
5 Storage housings
Photographic film should be stored in closable housings, such as drawers or cabinets, or on shelves and racks
enclosed by tightly fitting doors in order to provide protection from dust and dirt. Alternatively, open shelves and
racks may be used if the film is in closed containers. The storage housing materials shall be non-corrosive as
described in ISO 18902. They shall also be non-combustible and chemically inert. Wood, pressed-board, particle-
board, plywood and other such materials shall be avoided due to their combustible nature and the possibility of
producing active deteriorating agents as they age.
The finish on storage housing materials shall be durable and should not contain substances that can have a
deleterious effect on stored photographic film. Adverse effects may be produced by finishes containing chlorinated
or highly plasticized resins, or by solvents off-gassing from freshly applied finishes. Paints used on cabinets may
give off peroxides, solvents and other contaminants for up to three months after being applied. Metal housing
materials that have been powder coated (a solvent-free finish process in which electrostatically applied resin
particles are fused by heat) or cabinets made from stainless steel or anodized aluminum are recommended.
When air-conditioned individually, storage housings shall be arranged to permit interior circulation of air to all
shelves and drawers holding film containers so as to provide uniform humidity conditions. Storage housings,
located in rooms conditioned in accordance with 7.1, shall be provided with ventilation openings that permit access
of air to the interior. Such openings shall not interfere with the requirements for fire-protective storage or water
protection.
Films and other materials that release acidic fumes, magnetic tapes and optical disks shall not be stored in the
same storage housing as other photographic products.
6 Storage rooms
6.1 Medium-term storage rooms
Rooms and areas used for film storage should be located in the same area as rooms containing provisions for
inspection and viewing of the film. Good housekeeping is essential. Walls and enclosed air-conditioned spaces
shall be designed to prevent condensation of moisture on interior surfaces and within walls, especially during
periods of low exterior temperatures when the walls can be cooled below the dew-point of the air.
Provisions shall be made against damage of film by water from floods, leaks, sprinklers, and from the steam
released from masonry walls during a fire. Storage rooms or vaults should be located above basement levels
where possible. A special storage room separated from the work areas, for film records of medium-term interest,
generally will not be required, provided that the conditions recommended in 7.1.2 are maintained.
Films that are not essentially free from release of acidic fumes, such as some vesicular films, shall be stored in
separate storage rooms. Films showing any sign of chemical degradation, such as the presence of acidic fumes,
shall be stored in a separate storage room having a separate circulating-air system.
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ISO 18911:2000(E)
6.2 Extended-term storage rooms
For extended-term storage, the requirements of 6.1 shall be met.
The value of photographic film kept for long-term purposes makes it advisable to provide a storage room or vault
separate from medium-term storage facilities, temporary storage facilities, offices or work areas. Storage rooms for
films that are not essentially free from acid release shall have a separate circulating-air system (see annex D).
Storage rooms have been constructed in caves and mines and have proven very satisfactory when requirements
are met for environmental conditions (see 7.1) and air purity (see 7.3).
7 Environmental conditions
7.1 Temperature and humidity specifications for storage (see annexes E, F and G)
7.1.1 Recommended temperature and relative humidity
The recommended temperature and relative humidity conditions given in Table 1 shall be maintained either within
individual
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