2019 Edition
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.
Due to its extreme flammability, cellulose nitrate motion picture film requires special fire safety and fire protection precautions. Research-based NFPA 40 is your one-stop source for provisions concerning every aspect of storage and handling of cellulose nitrate motion picture film in film cabinets and archival vaults, motion picture projection booths and theaters, laboratories, and film exchanges.
Minimize fire and related hazards with the latest edition of NFPA 40.
Updated with new definitions that reflect terminology used by modern archivists, the 2019 edition provides facility designers and engineers, code enforcers and inspectors, and film vault owners and operators current and comprehensive requirements for safe storage, handling, and fire protection for nitrate film, including:
- Construction requirements and arrangements of buildings
- Fire protection
- Storage of nitrate film
- Handling of nitrate film
- Motion picture projection and special processes
- Special occupancies
Technical changes in the 2019 edition of NFPA 40 include:
- A new requirement for inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers to comply with NFPA 10
- Updates to the extended term storage vault requirements to give designers more flexible storage configurations
- Revised requirements for openings in, and exhaust capacities of, projection booths to reflect modern practices and equipment
- An added requirement for temperature and humidity control
Improve safety around flammable film by staying up-to-code with NFPA 40. (Print, 28 pp., 2019)
2016 Edition
NFPA 40, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film addresses fire protection for still and motion picture film.
Cellulose nitrate motion picture film requires special fire safety and fire protection precautions due to its extreme flammability. Developed through research and lessons learned, NFPA 40 is your one-stop source for provisions concerning every aspect of storage and handling of cellulose nitrate motion picture film in film cabinets and archival vaults, motion picture projection booths and theaters, laboratories, and film exchanges.
To avoid fire and related hazards -- and protect people and property -- facility designers and engineers, code enforcers and inspectors, and film vault owners and operators need the most up-to-date requirements for safe storage, handling, and fire protection, for nitrate film, including:
- Construction requirements and arrangements of buildings
- Fire protection
- Storage of nitrate film
- Handling of nitrate film
- Motion picture projection and special processes
- Special occupancies
Only the 2016 edition of NFPA 40 provides:
- Clarification on which types of containers should be used for motion picture film versus flat film
- New guidance for using laboratory-grade refrigerators or freezers to slow or halt nitrate decay
In another revision, additional Annex material expands on the equivalency between the weight of film and the number of rolls of motion picture film or the number of flat film negatives. This change enables the requirements in the 2016 NFPA 40 (given in mass of film) to be applied to both forms of film. (Softbound, 21 pp., 2016)
Interested in other editions of NFPA 40? Use the drop down menu above to select the edition year you need.