The requirements of this standard, therefore, apply strictly to longterm storage of cellulose nitrate film. Cellulose is treated with sulfuric acid and potassium nitrate to give cellulose mononitrate. Aug 23, 2018 nitrate film is a dangerous old film format thats highly flammable. Because cellulose nitrate films are flammable and there are decomposition concerns, you need to store and manage them in a safe manner that limits decomposition. Cellulose nitrate is highly flammable and ignites readily. In the early days of the motion picture industry, movie houses and even film studios had devastating fires with many fatalities. An alternative to the nitrate base was the cellulose acetate base, also known as safety film, so called because it lacked the volatility of nitrate film. Motion picture film can be made of various materials and by different processes and both material and process inform storage, handling, and duplication recommendations. Aug 02, 2018 nfpa 402019 is the 2019 edition of the standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film. Cellulose nitrate motion picture film was used for many years in hollywood.
Spontaneous combustion of deteriorated nitrate film has been documented as low as 106o f. Burke is an adjunct instructor at the national fire. Cellulose nitrate film, a product once widely used in cinema but ceasing production nearly 70 years ago, is by no means a pillar of the modern industry. Spontaneous ignition of decomposing cellulose nitrate film.
Preserving your collection of filmbased photographic negatives. Pyroxylin solution appears as a solution in absolute ethanol or another organic solvent of cellulose nitrate nitrocellulose that contains 11. This suggests that the ignition was sudden which, again, is consistent with the properties of cellulose nitrate. Store deteriorated cellulose nitrate films separate from other cellulose nitrate films. Created as an easytohandle replacement for heavy and awkward glass plates, gelatin film, and paper. Storage and transport of cellulose nitrate film brussels. Cellulose nitrate materials have two undesirable properties. Storage and handing of processed nitrate film motion. The storage of all cellulose nitrate still picture and motion picture film is regulated by national fire protection association nfpa 40 standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film. Burning cellulose nitrate film cannot be extinguished. Store nitrates separately from all other photographic materials to prevent further collection damage in the case of fire. Find out how to identify, store and handle nitrate film, and how to spot signs of decomposition.
Cellulose nitrate film shall not used or handled in quantities greater than 50 lbs. Disposal of cellulose nitrate film introduction cellulose nitrate nitrate film was manufactured from about 19101950 for use as a nonbreakable, lightweight alternative to glass plate photographic negatives. Because of the high risk of a serious fire and the production of toxic gases, the safest course of action is not to store cellulose nitrate film. Apparently, fire isnt caused by cellulose nitrate in good condition. Expose this safety film to heat and instead of bursting into flame it will simply melt. You can preserve or duplicate cellulose n itrate films until the third stage of decomposition. A number of institutions have patterned their film storage after these regulations. May 29, 2012 cellulose nitrate film is one material that is often demonized due to its combustible chemical composition. Nonpreventive measures, whether its in hay, oily rags, or nitrate film, can result in a fire. During the abnormally hot summer of 1949, numerous fires involving cellulose nitrate motion picture films were reported in new york city and adjacent areas. This graduated olivecoloured halfeye design by martin wells of australia demonstrates the varied colour options that the cellulose nitrate material offered. Since it generates its own oxygen during combustion, nitrate film will burn even without the presence of air. The cinema century april 20, 1918 wake forest university.
Nitrate film is a dangerous old film format thats highly flammable. This chapter shall apply to the storage and handling of plastic substances, materials or compounds with cellulose nitrate as a base, by whatever name known, in the form of blocks, sheets, tubes or fabricated shapes. This was used commercially as celluloid, a highly flammable plastic used until the mid20th century for lacquers and photographic film. The dangers of cellulose nitrate film free leaflet bundesarchiv. Care, handling, and storage of motion picture film. Handling, storage and transport of the cellulose nitrate film. Do not store nitrate based materials in tightlysealed containers that would lead to pressure buildup. Nitrate burn nitrate film trailer set on fire youtube. Cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate film bases are chemically unstable and require special action to minimize the risk of total.
It catches fire very easily and one alight is difficult to put out. Introduction to nitrate film national science and media. History, science, preservation and treatment of cellulose. Due to its extreme flammability, cellulose nitrate motion picture film requires special fire safety and fire protection precautions. Fires involving cellulose nitrate burn extremely quickly. It has been the consensus of opinion of authorities that these regulations, if rigorously carried out, take care of the fire hazard and the gas hazard in the case of cellulose nitrate xray films. Checklist for cellulose nitrate film storage definition of cellulose nitrate film. Do not overcrowd the storage containers, as too much nitrate film in one place increases the risk of fire. The turner classic movie festival in hollywood built a booth to project old films on nitrate stock.
Do not exceed 70 f inside the storage vault, and maintain the relative humidity below 50. The danger of such ignition is reduced by inspecting stored film stocks and removing and destroying all decomposing film. Cellulose nitrate films that have reached the third. Cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate are the two types of unstable plastics used as the support for photographic film. Unfortunately, nitrate film is a severe fire safety hazard. Flammable nitrate film had previously contributed to several fires in film industry laboratories, studios and vaults, although the precise causes were often unknown. It catches fire very easily and once alight is difficult to put out. Cellulose nitrate definition of cellulose nitrate by the. This includes unexposed film, positive prints, negatives, or used film. Familiarity with this standard is an essential component of collections management of cellulose nitrate film. With the information given in this section, you can prevent the threat of spontaneous combustion.
The dangers of cellulose nitrate film page 4 of 6 how should i store my cellulose nitrate film while im waiting for it to be collected or disposed of. Rayle demonstrates the flammability of old nitrate film stock as compared to modern safety film by setting an old nitrate movie trailer on fire. We offer tips on how to identify nitrate film, safely store and discard it, and even digitize it. Cellulose nitrate film checklist california fire code chapter 3 fire kurt p. Cellulose nitrate spectacles college of optometrists. This leaflet is for private individuals and voluntary groups who have or find old film in domestic or other nonworkplace premises. Nov 03, 2011 nitrate film uses highly flammable and toxic cellulose nitrate as a base. Cellulose nitrate film is one material that is often demonized due to its combustible chemical composition. Gas released during a nitrate fire can be lethal and is itself flammable. The solvent may evaporate if the solution is spilled, leaving a plastic film that is easily ignited and burns very vigorously. Standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film.
Standard for the storage and handling of cellulose. An operational permit is required to store, handle or use cellulose nitrate film in a group a occupancy. Henke fire chief scope an operational permit is required to store, handle or use cellulose nitrate film in a group a occupancy. The early motionpicture industry primarily used nitrocellulose film stock, commonly called nitrate film. Fires involving cellulose nitrate burn extremely quickly with a hot, intense flame and the smoke is. Once ignited, even nitrate film in good condition burns rapidly. In photographic archives, active preservation efforts focus on the film based materials. Apr 21, 2018 eventually, however, a less hazardous substitute for nitrate film stock was adopted.
On july 9, 1937, a major fire broke out in a 20th centuryfox film storage facility in little ferry, new jersey, united states. The very existence of this american national standard might seem strange. The burn test uses the flammable nature of cellulose nitrate for identification since both cellulose acetates and polyester are much less flammable. Care of blackandwhite photographic negatives on film. The rate of combustion for cellulose nitrate film is about 15 times that of wood. Storing and handling cellulose nitrate film with nfpa 40. Cellulose nitrate film is highly unstable and presents a very serious fire risk since it burns quickly with an intense flame. Important updates in nfpa 40, standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film help you improve fire protection around still and motion picture film. Jan 11, 2010 artificial heat shall be restricted to steam or hot water only and not to exceed 15psi. Cellulose nitrate film permit requirements appendix chapter 1, section 105. Nfpa 402019 is the 2019 edition of the standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film the very existence of this american national standard might seem strange.
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