ISO 5466:1996
(Main)Photography — Processed safety photographic films — Storage practices
Photography — Processed safety photographic films — Storage practices
Photographie — Films photographiques de sécurité traités — Techniques d'archivage
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 5466
Fourth edition
1996-12-15
Photography - Processed safety
photographic films - Storage practices
Photographie - Films photographiques de securit6 traitks - Techniques
d ’archivage
Reference number
ISO 5466: 1996(E)
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ISO 5466: 1996(E)
Page
Contents
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scope
2 Normative references . . . . . . . . . “.*.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Definitions
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Film enclosures
5 Storage housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .~.
6 Storage rooms
7 Environmental conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .*.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Fire-protective storage
9 Film identification, handling and inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annexes
A Distinction between storage copies and work copies . 10
B Advantages and disadvantages of protective (sealed)
enclosures . 11
C Air-entrained and gaseous impurities . 12
............................................................. 13
D Humidity during storage
E Temperature during storage . 14
F Temperature/relative humidity relationship . 15
.............................................. 16
G Historie still photographic records
H Microscopic blemishes . 17
I Fire protection . 18
19
J Bibliography .
0 ISO 1996
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@ ISO ISO 5466: 1996(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. Esch 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.
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.
International Standard ISO 5466 was prepared by Technical Committee
ISOTTC 42, Photography.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 5466:1992),
which has been technically revised.
Annex A forms an integral patt of this International Standard. Annexes B
to J are for information only.
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ISO 5466: 1996(E) 0 ISO
Introduction
Photographit film is an important documentary and pictorial material. There
is a recognized need for information on safeguarding photographic film
having legal, scientific, industrial, artistic or historical value. The value of
such records used in archives, museums, libraries, government, commerce
and universities Dias focused attention on the care of such records to
ensure their longest possible life[Wl.
Films a re susceptible to degradation from many sources . These factors
.
may be di vided 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. Only safety photographic films are suitable for
storage; the specification for safety photographic film is given in ISO 543.
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
used to express longevity or stability in International Standards on imaging
materials since it has been interpreted as having many meanings, ranging
from the preserving of information “for ever” to the temporary storage of
actively used information.
The best film material for preservation is silver-gelatin-type film which
meets the requirements of ISO 10602. This International Standard also
applies to processed colour, diazo (ISO 8225) and vesicular (ISO 9718)
films. Although these film types may not have as high an LE designation,
excellent keeping properties have been obtained with many of them. For
the Optimum preservation of photographic information, a high LE film
should be used and it should be stored under extended-term storage
conditions.
b) Photographit processing of the film
For black-and-white silver-gelatin-type film, ISO 10602 specifies a
maximum residual thiosulfate level and residual silver compounds level for
different LE classifications.
For diazo film, ISO 8225 specifies a proper development test. ISO 9718
includes both a proper development test and a residual diazonium salt test
for vesicular film.
Storage conditions
c)
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.
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@ ISO ISO 5466: 1996(E)
The important elements affecting preservation of processed film are
humidity, temperature and pollutants of the air, 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 darnage
due to handling. Direct contact with other generic types of film tan be
detrimental to either film.
The extent to which humidity, temperature, atmospheric contaminants or
variations thereof tan be permitted to resch beyond recommended limits
without producing adverse effects will depend upon the duration of
exposure, on the biological conditions conducive to fungal growth, and on
the accessibility of this atmosphere to the emulsion and support surfaces.
Exposure to high temperatures and, in particular, to high humidities tan
lead to degradation of the film supports and the photographic
emulsionWW1. Cellulose ester base films are more subject to base
degradation than Polyester base films.
There are two levels of storage conditions
1) medium term,
2) extended term.
Extended-term storage conditions were called “archival” storage conditions
in the 1992 issue of this International Standard but this name Change was
made to remove the term “archival” from International Standards. Medium-
term storage tan be used for films where the information is to be preserved
a minimum of IO years, while extended-term storage conditions will prolong
the life of all films, even those not optimized for permanente. The storage
protection provided by each level will differ in degree, as will the tost of
providing and maintaining the storage facility.
Immediate availability of space and tost may need to be considered when
selecting storage conditions. lt 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 deviations from the specified
conditions will reduce the degree of protection offered, and in such cases
maintaining a humidity as low as possible will still provide some benefits.
This International Standard is not designed to provide protection against
natura1 or manmade catastrophes, with the exception of fire and associated
hazards which are sufficiently common to Warrant inclusion of protection
measures.
In addition to the specifications in this International Standard, good storage
practices must consider the filing enclosure. This is covered in ISO 10214.
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ISO 5466: 1996(E)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD @ ISO
Processed safety photographic films -
Photography -
Storage practices
1 Scope
This International Standard provides requirements and recommendations concerning the storage conditions,
1 .l
storage facilities, handling and inspection for all processed safety photographic films (hereafter referred to as
photographic film) in roll, Strip, aperture-card or sheet form, regardless of size.
1.2 This International Standard applies to extended-term and medium-term storage of photographic film as
defined in clause 3.
1.3 lt applies to photographic film records intended as storage copies, which should not be in frequent use. lt does
not apply to “work” or “use” copies (see annex A).
1.4 This International Standard, while intended for materials that are weil 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.
1.5 This International Standard applies only to safety photographic film (see ISO 543). Nitrate base films are
hazardous and are not covered by this International Standard[e]. They require special storage considerationsf71.
1.6 The storage of photographic Paper and photographic plates requires different considerations. They are not
covered in this International Standard, but are described in ISO 6051 and ISO 3897, respectively.
2 Normative references
The following Standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this
International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All Standards are subject to
revision, and Parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the Standards indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
Specifica tions for sa fe ty film.
ISO 543:1990, Photography - Photographit films -
ISO 10214:1991, Photography - Processed photographic materials - Filing enclosures for storage.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this International Standard, the following definitions apply.
3.1 archival medium: Recording material that tan be expected to retain Information for ever, so that such
information tan be retrieved without significant loss when properly stored.
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ISO 5466: 1996(E) 0 ISO
NOTE - There is, however, no such material and it is not a term to be used in International Standards material or System
specifications.
32 . 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
having permanent value.
Facilities designed to protect photographic film against excessive
3.4 fire-protective storage facilities:
temperatures, water and other fire-fighting agents, and steam developed by the 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 retrievable in a System under
extended-term storage conditions.
3.6 LE designation: Rating for the “life expectancy” (see 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
tan be retrieved without significant loss when stored under extended-term storage conditions. For example, LE-100 indicates
that information tan be retrieved for at least 100 years storage.
3.7 medium-term storage conditions: Storage conditions suitable for the preservation of recorded information
for a minimum of ten years.
3.8 open enclosure: Enclosure which is intended for physical protection against mechanical darnage, but is
neither light-tight nor airtight. Such enclosures may be reels, cores, spools, cassettes, magazines, folders,
envelopes, cartons, boxes, sleeves, transparency mounts or aperture cards.
3.9 protective enclosure: Lig ht-tig ht, impermeable Container used for protection from outside factors such as
including re llative humidity changes.
reactive gases and moisture,
3.10 safety photographic film: Film that meets flammability specifications defined in ISO 543.
3.11 storage housing: Physical structure supporting photographic materials and their enclosures.
NOTE - It may consist of drawers, racks, shelves or cabinets.
4 Film enclosures
All enclosures used for medium-term and extended-term storage shall meet the requirements of ISO 10214.
4.1 Film in roll form
4.1.1 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.
Rolls shall all be wound tightly, but not under extreme tensions. A tension caused by 0,3 N of pullout forte for a
35 mm 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. IHowever, 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.
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@ ISO ISO 5466:1996( E)
Motion-picture film shall be wound with the emulsion surface on the inside of the roll, as this improves subsequent
projection performancef81.
Rolls of photographic film shall be stored, preferably, in closed Containers to provide protection against dirt and
physical darnage, unless the film is protected by the storage housing (see clause 5). Colour, diazo and heat-
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 as specified in ISO 10214. 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 humidity limits of
the film (see clause 7), to protect against gaseous impurities in the atmosphere, or when Iow-temperature storage is
used without humidity control (see annex B). Suitable enclosures are closed Containers with friction-type or
threaded, twist-on lids having an incorporated Seal. Rubber gaskets shall not be used. Cans within heat-sealed foil
bags also provide additional protection from high humidity. Metal Containers provide the best protection against
gases from the environment. However, they may torrode from acidic fumesl) from within the Container unless they
are protected with an overcoat. Alternative materials are polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene.
4.1.2 Extended-term storage enclosures
For extended-term storage, the requirements of 4.1.1 shall be met. The materials used for reels, cores and
Containers shall meet the requirements of ISO 10214. 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 given in
ISO 10214. Films on reels may be confined by tucking the film end between the roll and flange. Pressure-sensitive
tape, if needed for the enclosure, shall be free from peroxide and pass the photographic activity test given in
ISO 10214. Pressure-sensitive tape shall not be used in contact with the film.
Films may have possible interactions with other films which are of a different generic type (e.g. diazo and silver-
gelatin), as weil as with magnetic tapes and Optical disks. Films of a different generic type shall not be wound on the
same rolls or stored in the same enclosures. Closed Containers are required, unless the photographic film is
protected from dirt and darnage by the storage housing (see clause 5).
4.2 Film in sheet and slide form
4.2.1 Medium-term storage enclosures
Film in sheet form shall be stored in envelopes of Paper or plastic foil, folding Canons, boxes, file folders, aperture
cards or film Strip jackets. Photographit slides shall be stored in cardboard, metal or plastic boxes. Colour, diazo
and heat-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 lower ones. 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 given in ISO 10214. Suitable
plastic enclosure materials are uncoated Polyester (polyethylene terephthalate), high-density polyethylene and
polypropylene. Glassine envelopes and chlorinated, nitrated or highly plasticized sheeting shall be avoided.
Protective enclosures shall be used where needed to maintain humidity within the 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. Heat-sealable envelopes consisting of aluminium 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.
1) Some vesicular films give off acidic fumes which 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 5466: 1996(E)
The adhesive used for seams and joints shall also meet the requirements of ISO 10214. 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.
Any film which is not essentially free from acid releasel) shall be stored in plastic envelopes.
4.2.2 Extended-term storage enclosures
For extended-term storage, the requirements of 4.2.1 shall be met.
Photographit quality gelatin and many polyvinyl acetate and cellulose acetate adhesives are suitable for use with
Paper. Pressure-sensitive (permanently tacky) adhesives shall meet the specifications of ISO 10214.
Films may have possible interactions with other films which are of a different generic type (e.g. diazo and silver-
gelatin), as weil as with magnetic tapes with Optical disks. Films of different generic types shall not be interfiled or be
in physical contact with each other.
5 Storage housing
Photographit film shall be stored in closed housings, such as drawers, or on shelves and racks enclosed by doors
in Order to provide protection from dust and dir-t. Alternatively, open shelves and racks may be used if the film is in
closed Containers. The storage housing materials shall be non-corrodible as described in ISO 10214. They shall
also be non-combustible. Due to their combustible nature and the possibility of producing active fading agents on
ageing, materials made of wood, pressed-board, hard-board, particle-board and other natura1 materials shall be
avoided.
The finish on housing materials shall be durable and shall not contribute any deleterious effects to stored
photographic film. Adverse effects tan be produced by finishes containing chlorinated or highly plasticized resins, or
by freshly painted or lacquered surfaces. Freshly painted cabinets shall not be used for 3 months, as they tan give
off Peroxides and contaminants.
When air-conditioned individually, storage housings shall be arranged to permit interior circulation of air to all
shelves and drawers holding film Containers to allow uniform humidity conditions. Storage housings located in
rooms conditioned in accordance with 7.1 shall be provided with Ventilation openings permitting 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 associated with rooms allowing facilities for inspection and
viewing of the film. Good housekeeping is essential. Walls and enclosures of 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 tan be cooled below the dewpoint of the air. Provisions shall be made against
darnage to the film by water from floods, leaks, Sprinklers, etc., and from steam released during a fire from masonry
Walls. Storage rooms or vaults should be located above basement levels where possible. A special storage room
separated from the work areas will generally not be required for film records of medium-term interest, provided that
conditions as recommended in 7.1 .l are maintained.
Films which 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 shall be stored in a separate storage
room having a separate circulating air System.
6.2 Extended-term storage rooms
For extended-term storage, the requirements of 6.1 shall be met.
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ISO 5466: 1996(E)
@ ISO
The value of photographic film kept for long-term purposes makes it advisable to provide a storage room or vault
that is separated from temporary storage facilities, offices or work areas. Storage rooms for films which are not
essentially free from acid release shall have a separate circulating air System (see annex C).
Storage rooms have been constructed in caves and mines and have proven very satisfactory when accepted
requirements are met for environmental conditions (see 7.1) and air purity (see 7.3).
7 Environmental conditions
7.1 Humidity and temperature limits (see annexes D and E)
7.1 .l Medium-term storage environment
The average relative humidity of a medium-term storage environment shall not exceed 50 %. Ideally, the maximum
temperature for extended periods shall not exceed 25 “C, and a temperature below 21 “C is preferable (see
table 1). The peak temperature for short periods shall not exceed 32 “C.
Short-term cycling of temperature shall be avoided. Cycling of relative humidity shall not be greater than + IO %
over a 24-h period. Protection may be increased by storing film at low temperature and low relative humidity.
- Maximum temperatures and relative humidity range for storage
Table 1
Medium-term storage Extended-term storagel)
Maximum Relative humidity Maximum
Relative humidity
Sensitive layer
temperature range*J temperature range*P)
“C % “C
%
Silver-gelatin
Thermally processed silver
21
Vesicular 20to30
25 20to50 15 20to40
Electrophotographit 10 20to50
Photoplastic
Diazo
2 20to30
-3
Colour 25 20to50 20to40
- 10 20to50
1) Formerly known as “archival storage ”; see lntroduction.
2) The moisture content of the film to be stored shall not be greater than film in moisture equilibrium with these relative humidities.
3) See annex G for storage of historic still photographic records.
7.1.2 Extended-term storage environment
7.1.2.1 Recommended environment for black-and-white films
The rate of most Chemical reactions, such as the degradation of film base and the fading of chromogenic dyes, is
lowered with decreasing temperature and decreasing relative humidity. Consequently, life expectancy is increased
as either storage temperature or storage humidity is lowered. Moreover, a Iower storage temperature tan
compensate for a higher humidity to provide the same life expectancy (see annex F). For this reason, several
relative humidity-temperature combinations tan be used for an extended-term storage environment as specified in
table 1. Higher relative humidity ranges tan be employed if the average temperature is reduced, but the maximum
relative humidity shall not exceed 50 %. Cycling of relative humidity shall be no greater than + 5 % over a 24-h
period.
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ISO 5466: 1996(E)
For any facility, it is impossible to specify what the exact relative humidity and temperature of storage should be,
since it depends upon the value of the film, the past storage history, the length of time the film is to be kept, the size
of the vault, the tost of various Options, and the climatic conditions where the facility is to be located. The
cost/protection ratio has to be determined by the individual facility. Another very important factor is the exact mix of
photographic objects in the collection; i.e. whether photographic prints and plates are included and whether the
materials are new or old. Low relative humidities tan Cause excessive strain on the emulsion and result in high curl
of Single-weight photographic prints. Low humidities tan also Cause serious Problems with ojder historic records
(see annex G). The environmental conditions Chosen shall fall within the guidelines given in table 1.
Th e recommended hum idity and te lmperature conditions tan be maintained either within individual sto rage housings
or within storage rooms containing such housi ngs.
Very low humidity conditions may produce brittleness or curl in films having a gelatin emulsion by extraction of
moisture from the emulsion. In such cases, it is good practice to recondition the film to a higher humidity Prior to
use.
7.1.2.2 Recommended environment for colour films
The storage temperature for colour films shall be 2 “C or below[gl[l*]. This tan be provided by a storage room
controlled at the desired temperature and at the recommended relative humidity.
An alternative procedure is to condition the film to the recommended relative humidity at room temperature, place it
in hermetically sealed or taped Containers, and then put it in cold storagefll]. Roll films in cans and sheet films
should have good moisture protection if placed within two heat-sealed foil bags. The double-bag technique reduces
the possibility of air leakage. The use of such bags improves moisture protection but does not guarantee it. This
procedure has the advantage of good keeping conditions and makes possible the use of reasonably priced deep-
freeze units. lt is essential to limit as much as possible the volume of free air in the sealed film Container.
The user should balance the capital and operating tost of cold storage vaults or deep-freeze units with the labour
and material tost of bagging film.
7.1.2.3 Moisture-conditioning time
While temperature equilibrium readily occurs, it must be recognized that moisture equilibration takes considerably
longer. The time required for a package of film to resch moisture equilibrium with its environment depends on
several factors:
- the moisture permeability of the storage Container;
the volume and packing density of the film within the Container;
-
- the type of film and enclosure materials;
- the temperature at which the moisture-conditioning occurs; and
- the differente between the initial and the final moisture content.
These factors tan produce a prolonged conditioning period, and the effectiveness of the storage vault may be
compromised if
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