Required Records Protection,

Disaster Recovery and Business

Continuation

TG21-2011
(Reaffirmed 2013)

NUCLEAR INFORMATION AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

245 Sunnyridge Ave #34, Fairfield, CT 06824
Technical guidelines developed by a committee, subcommittee, or ad hoc committee of the
Nuclear Information and Records Management Association (NIRMA) represent a consensus of
the members of the committee, subcommittee, or ad hoc committee with the concurrence of the
NIRMA membership and Board of Directors. Guidelines are recommended procedures for
establishment of a program or performance of a task related to the interests of NIRMA
members. Guidelines represent the consensus of the sponsoring committee on the best
information based upon applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards and practical
experience. A lesser amount of detail may be used to identify the areas of interface outside the
scope of the document. Guidelines are not intended to be interpreted as industry standards but
as suggested guidance with the understanding that companies are not obligated to use the
suggested guidance.

NOTICE

This document was prepared by a committee of the Nuclear Information and Records
Management Association (NIRMA). Neither this committee, NIRMA members of NIRMA, other
persons contributing to or assisting in the preparation of the document, nor any person acting on
behalf of these parties (a) makes any warranty or representation, expressed or implied, with
respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in this
document, or (b) that the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this
document may not infringe on privately owned rights, or (c) assumes liabilities with respect to
the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this document.

©2011.Nuclear Information and Records Management Association. All rights reserved.

ii
 Table of Contents

FOREWORD ............................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

1. PURPOSE .................................................................................................................................... 1
2. SCOPE......................................................................................................................................... 1
3. DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................................... 1
4. DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................. 4
5. PLAN DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................................... 5
6. PREVENTION PLANNING........................................................................................................... 6
7. RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PLANNING................................................................................. 7
8. POST DISASTER PLANNING ....................................................................................................10
9. TESTING AND MAINTENANCE .................................................................................................11
10. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................12
Appendix A – Disaster Response Planning ......................................................................................... 1

iii
FOREWORD

This foreword is not part of the Nuclear Information And Records Management Association
Guideline TG21,”Required Records Protection, Disaster Recovery, and Business Continuation”.

The Regulatory and Information Business Unit (RIMBU) is the responsible committee for this
Technical Guideline. The following members had significant input to this document revision as it
evolved for approval by the NIRMA Board of Directors.

REVISION HISTORY

TG21, rev. 4, was updated to be consistent with:

 TG11, Authentication of Records and Media

 TG15, Management of Electronic Records

 TG16, Software Quality Assurance Documentation and Records

2011 Review Team Debra Hernandez, Arizona Public Service

Lauretta Stanley, Westinghouse Lashan Hope, Progress Energy

RIMBU Director Jon Jedliskowski, Babcock & Wilcox

Debra Armentrout, USNRC Steve Matson, Arizona Public Service
Robert Acker, PPL Alan Rabe, First Energy
Robert Blem, Westinghouse Tonia Schneider, MNES
Chris Caston, Scana/VC Summer Michelle Smith, STPNOC
JoAnn Chovan, Chovan Associates Edgar Springer, PSEG Nuclear
Bill Clover, Exelon Corporation Jill Stern, Xcel Energy
Rae Cogar, Urenco Daryn White, Kewaunee Dominion
Rich Giska, Consultant Eugene Yang, Kismet Consulting
Jill Griffin, Areva

iv
2006 Review Team
Matt Henderson, STP Nuclear Operating Company
RIMBU Director
Tom Reding, IBM
Mary Binkholder, Calloway
Randall Taylor, Shaw, Stone and Webster, Inc
Brenda Shelton, Nuclear Regulatory
Commission
Diane Vircks, Nuclear Management Company
Gerald Lewis, STP Nuclear Operating Company
Steve Matson, Arizona Public Service
Original Subcommittee Members
Eugene Yang, KISMET Consulting
Bruce Evans, CIBER Consulting
Jan Coppenbarger, Texas Utilities
Christopher Gaines, Consultant
Susan Hunn, Edison International
Paul Krueger, Southern California Edison
Karen Kulzick, KISMET consulting
v
James Beasly, Sandia Laboratories
Jeff Bartlett, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Rich Giska, Southern California Edison
Lynne Purdy, Bechtel SAIC Co, LLC
Sandy Hartman, Arizona Public Service
Dave Shipman, FileNet
Edgar Springer Jr., PSEG Nuclear LLC
Yvonne Elsen, Nuclear Management Company
Diana Rhodes, Houston Lighting & Power
Cheryl Susner, Unicom, Inc.
Lona Smith, Houston Lighting & Power
Randall Taylor, Texas Utilities
Marlene Tucker, Sandia National Laboratories
Peggy Warner, Sandia National Laboratories
1. PURPOSE

This guideline was developed by the Electronic Records Subcommittee, Regulations Committee
of the Nuclear Information and Records Management Association, to provide guidance
concerning the protection, disaster recovery and business continuation efforts associated with a
Records Management Program.

1.1 This guideline, originally titled “Electronic Records Protection and Restoration,
has been renamed to more accurately reflect its scope.

1.2 This guideline was developed recognizing the constant state of technology
change evident in a Records Management Program. Therefore, efforts have
been made to ensure its applicability irregardless of media type, technology
platform, or system hardware/ software configuration. Companies should be
expected to customize their own program based upon their needs and available
resources.

1.3 The most effective Records Disaster Plan is comprehensively interwoven with
and an integral part of the Company’s overall Business Continuation Plan. As
such, the reader should find references to both the Company’s plan and the
Records Program Plan. Unless stated otherwise, all references found within
should be assumed to be related to the Records Program.

2. SCOPE

2.1 This guideline applies to required records environments, and addresses the
components of protection, disaster recovery, and business continuation efforts
for records, regardless of retained media format.

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 Backup

A copy of selected computer files, programs or data written to a duplicate media or

another media or system for use if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed. Active
and inactive files are typically backed up. Backup copies of files must be geographically
separated from the originals to fulfill disaster recovery objectives and to fulfill
requirements for duplicated storage of electronic records.

3.2 Backing Up

The copying of selected computer files, programs or data to another media or system for
use if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed.

1
3.3 Business Continuation

The ability of an organization’s vital functions to operate during and/or following an

emergency or disaster.

3.4 Cold Site

A "ready to use" data processing facility which usually consists of an environmentally

controlled room, raised flooring, and limited telecommunications links. A company
contracting to use a cold site must provide computer hardware, software, expanded
telecommunications links, operating systems software, and applications programs. A
cold site does not maintain data and systems in "systems ready" state, and will require a
specified time to initiate recovery. A cold site is considered to be less expensive than a
hot site due to lower staffing and data access requirements.

3.5 Disaster

A sudden, unplanned calamitous event that creates an inability on the part of an

organization to perform critical business functions for some period of time.

3.6 Disaster Recovery Plan

An approved document that provides the necessary activities required to: a) recover
and/or reconstruct an organization's records and b) establish procedures for the
resumption of business operations in the event of a disaster.

3.7 Electronic Recordkeeping

The creation, maintenance, use, and disposition of records created and stored by using
a computer.

3.8 Electronic Records

Records containing machine-readable, as opposed to human-readable information,

consisting of character coded electronic signals that can be processed and read by
means of a computer. Electronic records include:

 Content
The text, data or substance material of the record
 Metadata
The data that aids in the identification of an object, file, image, etc. Metadata
can include such items as size, file type, and index values.
 Structure
The form and format of the data content.
2
3.9 Electronic Records System

Any information system that captures, produces, processes, and/or or stores records by
using a computer.

3.10 Hardcopy Record

Non-electronic records. Usually of paper media, but includes original non-convertible

media such as radiographs, microforms, etc.

3.11 Hot Site

A "ready to use" processing facility which usually consists of an environmentally

controlled room, raised flooring, telecommunications links, computer hardware, and
software. A company contracting to use a hot site must provide only operating systems
software and applications programs. A hot site maintains data and systems in "systems
ready" state, provides immediate recovery, and is usually considered to be more
expensive than a cold site because of increased staffing and data access requirements.

3.12 Recovery

The activities associated with restoring resources or operation following a disruption in

normal operations.

3.13 Required Records

Those quality and non-quality records required to be retained in accordance with

regulatory requirements, industry standards, licensing documents, industry
organizations, nuclear liability insurance information bulletins, nuclear property insurance
policy, plant commitments, procedures, and business practices.

3.14 Vital Records

Records essential to the continued functioning or reconstitution of an organization during

and after an emergency, and also those records essential to protecting the rights and
interests of that organization and of the individuals directly affected by its activities.
Sometimes called “essential records”, vital records include both emergency-operating
and rights-and-interests records. Vital records considerations are part of an agency’s
records disaster prevention and recovery program.

3
4. DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 The objective of the team is to activate and implement the Disaster Recovery
Plan. To effectively fulfill its responsibilities, the team must have support from
and authority granted by executive management. Their support should be
reflected in approved policies and procedures to:

 Ensure cooperation from all departments.

 Provide authority to review all business functions.

 Ensure company resources are available to prepare, maintain and effectively

implement the plan.

4.2 The members of a Disaster Response Team will vary within the organization but
should include:

 Overall Plan Leader, with the authority to establish priorities, make prompt,
critical decisions, to allocate company personnel and resources, and to
ensure that actions are coordinated with the Company’s Disaster Response
Team.

 Various members charged with:

o Performing damage assessments of physical records, buildings and

infrastructure, computer hardware, software and telecommunications
equipment.
o Coordinating actions related to electronic record systems recovery.
o Managing the restoration efforts for the items listed above.
o Providing training to personnel.
o Communicating with external and internal organizations.
o Executing contracts with outside vendors for related services.
o Coordinating the purchase and delivery of supplies and equipment.
o Tracking personnel and coordinating lodging and travel related needs.
 Disaster Response Sub Teams should be developed and a team leader
identified to accomplish the major activities of the plan. Task requirements
and responsibilities should be identified for each Disaster Response Sub
Team.

4
5. PLAN DEVELOPMENT

5.1 A disaster Response plan is a document that outlines an organization’s

strategies for dealing with emergencies and disasters. The plan is a critical tool,
providing both a framework and a series of prepared and practiced actions to
protect the organization and/or minimize their impact from disaster.

5.2 The plan should be tailored to each plant, system/application, organization's size,
complexity, goals, objectives, management style, and geographical location. No
plan can likely be transferred intact from one plant, system or organization to
another.

The Disaster Response Plan consists of several components including:

 Identification of the Disaster Response Team members;

 Measures to be taken to prevent the occurrence of disasters; (PREVENTION
PLANNING)
 Measures to be taken to respond to and recover from disasters; (RESPONSE
AND RECOVERY PLANNING).
 Measures to be taken after recovery (POST DISASTER PLANNING);
5.3 Each business unit (internal organization/department) should develop disaster
recovery measures that include redundant, geographically separated electronic
systems or address alternate manual processes using hardcopy during business
recovery of the critical electronic records systems or programs.

5.4 Information critical to the implementation of the Plan should be available from
alternate sources in the event that the Plan's primary source of information is
incapacitated by the disaster.

5.5 Plans should include and provide for all media on which required records are
created and stored

5.6 The plan should identify policies, procedures, and resources to be activated and
the management structure that implements these functions.

5.7 The plan should mandate specific training programs.

5.8 The plan should be periodically exercised to insure that it is functional.

5
6. PREVENTION PLANNING

6.1 Disaster prevention includes activities such as:

 Identifying and prioritizing records;

 Surveying the work place to identify areas or situations which might cause or
contribute to a disaster and then taking action to eliminate or minimize the
risk;
 Ensuring storage facilities are in compliance with American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) N45.2.9 and American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) NQA-1;
 Reviewing procedures and practices to identify means to minimize or avoid
potential disasters;
 Creating a full diagram of the storage/facility system, including network
connections, and developing a method for updating the diagram;
 Where appropriate, clear and decisive response actions for Disaster
Response Team members should be written for specific types of possible
disasters.
6.2 Identify and prioritize those records considered essential to operations and those
necessary to re-establish or continue the organization’s responsibilities and
functions in the event of emergency or disaster. This effort may exclude records
that are available elsewhere and are easily replaceable.

6.2.1 The purpose of this review is to identify the relative importance of

the records. This will drive the protection and preparation efforts
and, in the event of a disaster, focus the response and recovery
operations on those vital records.

6.2.2 Review the records retention schedules.

6.2.3 A review of the organization’s key responsibilities may be required

to confirm that the records classified as essential are up to date.

6.3 Review existing protective measures, such as duplication, protective storage,

and the use of hot or cold sites for computer systems. Based upon this review,
various options and a comparison of associated costs; alternative strategies may
be developed.

6
 6.4 Practices and procedures for system backup and recovery must be evaluated as
part of the disaster response plan to ensure protection of electronic records.

6.4.1 Goals for data and systems protection should be based upon the
level of service disruption deemed acceptable by the organization
and the measures needed to achieve this level. Strategies must
include redundant system, data backups and offsite storage,
system and facility backups (cold site, hot sites, and reciprocal
arrangements, or any combination). The following factors should
be considered:

 The size and complexity of the electronic record systems.

 The level of service and length of downtime the organization can

withstand.

 The probability of an emergency or disaster.

 The potential financial impact resulting from the loss of records or

services.

 The cost of disaster preparedness measures.

 The existing insurance coverage.

6.5 The plan should identify specific risks such as building and equipment hazards
that can result in damage due to flooding, fire, weather or other conditions that
could impact stored hardcopy records or electronic records systems.

6.6 The elements of an existing security program should be interwoven throughout a

disaster response plan. Computer passwords, employee identification cards,
security guards, restricted access areas, duplicate media, vaults and safes,
smoke, water, and fire detectors, off-site records storage areas and burglar
alarms are among the items that should be addressed for security purposes.

7. RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PLANNING

7.1 Response comprises the preplanned activities that enable on site personnel to
take quick action by sounding the alarm, calling the proper authorities,
evacuating the building, activating the disaster plan, mobilizing personnel and
assistance, containing the effects of the disaster, and moving into the recovery
phase.

7
7.2 Organizations responding to a disaster should develop an operational support
plan which includes:

 Establishing a coordination strategy to ensure disaster response plan

steps occur in proper order;

 Establishing a command center to serve as the base for the overall

operation;

 Getting the electronic record systems up and running;

 Establishing a communication plan;

 Establishing a security strategy to protect personnel and records;

 Establishing a method to document the recovery process;

 Establishing a personnel plan;

 Mobilizing necessary staffing;

 Communicating the recovery strategy and instructing the recovery teams;

and

 Ordering supplies and equipment, and establishing contracts for outside

services.

7.3 Forewarning of a disaster provides a period of time to prepare for the disaster,
allocate resources or implement measures to mitigate the damage. Forewarning
is addressed in the emergency plan for such events as a hurricane, tornado, or
severe weather. However, there are other events that could create a disaster
affecting the records program that would not fall into this scenario, such as a
power or electrical failure. The plan should identify these types of occurrences
and ensure that an internal plan is in place for providing notification.

7.3.1 When forewarning occurs, staff should be allowed to stay in the

building and work to protect the records and systems from initial or
further damage whenever feasible. Undamaged and threatened
records, equipment, etc. should be protected first. A controlled
shutdown of the computer systems should be performed and
backups removed offsite, when necessary.

8
7.4 Response planning also covers an assessment phase designed to determine the
level of continued response and subsequent recovery measures required. When
it is safe to do so, inspections should be performed to identify hazards, to
determine which records have been damaged and which are further threatened,
to assess the damage to electronic record systems, as well as to physical
structures and infrastructures such as telecommunications. After the
assessment, the Disaster Response Team must determine what measures need
to be performed to mitigate further damage.

7.5 Priorities assigned for recovery of records will be largely based upon decisions
made during the planning stage. These decisions must now factor in the nature
and extent of damage, the overall recovery effort required, and the amount of
available resources.

7.6 Decisions must be made as to which records to recover, or attempt to recover,

which to discard and which to replace. These recovery decisions must take into
account several factors:

 Importance of the record

 Value of the record

 Options and cost of recovery

 Time required for recovery

 Availability and cost of replacement records

7.7 Response planning also covers a stabilization and restoration phase intended to
prevent or reduce the effects of:

 Mold growth

 Warping, swelling, distortion, delamination, etc.

 Transfer of water-sensitive or water-soluble components such as inks,

dyes, adhesive, etc.

 Staining from flood waters

 Contamination from sewage or chemicals

 Sticking or fusion of adjacent components

 Corrosion of metal components

9
 7.7.1 During the planning stages, various measures should be
evaluated and documented on how stabilization and restoration
should occur.

7.7.2 In general, stabilization and restoration should be prioritized as

follows:

 Undamaged but threatened records

 High priority, soaked, wet and damp

 Medium priority records, soaked, wet and damp

 Undamaged, unthreatened records.

7.7.3 The most common types of damage to records are water, fire and
smoke damage.

7.7.4 There are several methods available for treating records that have
been damaged by water. Each has its advantages and
disadvantages. Refer to Appendix A, Disaster Response
Planning, for guidance.

7.7.5 A current list of vendors who specialize in disaster recovery of

records should be maintained. Pre-established contracts might be
in place with companies that are equipped to recover or repair
damaged records.

7.7.6 Transfer of damaged record media to a safe location where

current conditions can be controlled. This phase should be
performed as soon as practical.

7.7.7 Record restoration includes removal, cleaning, drying, accessing

and copying data on the damaged record media.

7.8 Relocation Phase

Relocation refers to indexing, labeling and re-filing the replaced /reconstructed media or
migrated data for service. It should include producing a backup copy of each record
media for archival storage.

8. POST DISASTER PLANNING

8.1 The purpose of the post disaster plan is to determine what went well and what
went wrong, to capture lessons learned, and to correct deficiencies in the plan as
well as the facility and its operations.
10
 8.2 The process for post-disaster planning brings together the debriefing sessions,
assessments, strategies and modification for facilities and operation, etc. to
prepare the insurance claim, the final disaster report and to plan for the future.

8.3 Hold post disaster debriefing sessions to determine the effectiveness of the
organization’s response and recovery actions.

8.4 Identify the need for facility and operation modifications in the form of policies
and procedures, upgrading of systems and equipment, infrastructure and
training.

8.5 Assess priorities, options and costs for modifications.

8.6 Determine short and long term strategies.

8.7 Assist in the preparation of the insurance claim.

8.8 Prepare an internal disaster report.

9. TESTING AND MAINTENANCE

9.1 A records disaster plan should not be a static document, but a dynamic blueprint
that changes and evolves as the system(s)/application(s) or media grow or
change. The plan should be reviewed at least once a year to ensure its viability.

9.2 A list of various (disaster-pertinent) vendors, suppliers, support agencies, contact

names and telephone numbers should be generated and updated for each
system or application on a regular basis.

9.3 As procedures and guidelines are revised, ongoing training of employees should
be conducted.

9.4 A disaster drill should be used to test various aspects of the plan without the
stress of a "live" situation. After the drill is conducted, all observations made
during the drill should be discussed and changes should be made accordingly.

9.5 Review and update the plan (based on business events) to account for changes
in ongoing maintenance, insurance coverage, security personnel, suppliers,
addresses and telephone numbers, prevention team members, floor space or
building, business locations or retention schedules should be conducted.

11
10. REFERENCES

Readers are encouraged to latest references used for the issuance of this document, unless
otherwise noted.

An Ounce of Prevention, 2nd Edition, Johanna Wellheiser and Jude Scott, Published by
The Scarecrow Press, Inc and Canadian Archives Foundation, 2002

10 CFR 50 Appendix A, Criterion 1, "Quality Standards and Records"

10 CFR 50 Appendix B, "Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel
Reprocessing Plants"

10 CFR 73.21(b), "Requirements for the Protection of Safeguards Information"

18 CFR 125, "Preservation of Records of Public Utilities and Licensees"

36 CFR 1224, “Records Disposition Program”

36 CFR 1234, “Facility Standards for Records”

36 CFR 1236, “Electronic Records Management”

44 USC Chapter 33, “Disposal of Records”

American Nuclear Insurers (ANI) Bulletin 80-1A, “Nuclear Liability Insurance Records
Retention,” Revision 6

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) NQA-1, “Quality Assurance

Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Applications”

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) N45.2.9, “Requirements for Collection,

Storage, and Maintenance of Quality Assurance Records for Nuclear Power Plants”

ARMA, Disaster Prevention and Recovery: a Planned Approach

IEEE 828-1990 - IEEE Standard for Software Configuration Management Plans

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) NP-6295 - "Guidelines for Quality Records in
Electronic Media for Nuclear Facilities (NCIG-10)"

NARA General Records Schedule (GRS) - 20, Electronic Records”

12
Nuclear Information & Records Management Association (NIRMA) Technical Guidelines

 TG11, “Authentication of Records and Media”

 TG15, “Management of Electronic Records”

 TG16, “Software Quality Assurance Documentation and Records”

NIRMA Terms and Glossary

13
 Appendix A – Disaster Response Planning

Summary of Recovery Options for Water-Damaged Collections and Records

Page 1 of 4

Material Type Wet- Freeze- Air-Dry Freezer- Dehumid- Vacuum Vacuum Vacuum
Stabilized Stabilize Dry ification- Dry: Freeze- Thermal-
Dry (Ambient Dry Dry
Temp)

Books, Periodicals, Pamphlets

 Uncoated paper No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

 Coated Paper Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No

 Leather binding No Yes Yes No No No No No

Parchment and Vellum

 Documents No Yes Yes No No No Yes* No

 Bindings No Yes Yes No No No Yes* No

Paper Documents

 Uncoated paper No Yes Yes Yes* Yes Yes Yes Yes

 Coated paper Yes Yes Yes Yes* Yes No Yes Yes

Plans and Maps

 Uncoated paper No Yes Yes Yes* Yes Yes Yes Yes

 Coated/drafting linen Yes Yes Yes Yes* Yes No Yes No

Notes: This is a general planning guide. Seek expert advice before taking any action.
Rare and special collections are best treated on an individual basis rather than by mass chamber drying.
Yes = Treatment option has been successfully used and is well documented.
Yes*/Some = Qualified yes. Experimental research and anecdotal evidence indicates treatment can be successfully used.
No = Treatment option is not recommended due to further damage caused to materials OR its effects are unknown.
 Appendix A – Disaster Response Planning

Summary of Recovery Options for Water-Damaged Collections and Records

Page 2 of 4

Material Type Wet- Freeze- Air-Dry Freezer- Dehumid- Vacuum Vacuum Vacuum
Stabilized Stabilize Dry ification- Dry: Freeze- Thermal-
Dry (Ambient Dry Dry
Temp)

Works of Art on Paper

 Uncoated paper No Yes Yes No No No Some No

 Coated paper Yes Yes Yes No No No Some No

Paintings No No Yes No No No No No

Photographic Materials

 Black-and-white prints Some Yes Yes No Some* No Some No

 Color prints

Chromogenic Yes Yes Yes No Some* No Yes* No

Dye Transfer No No Yes No No No No No

 Negatives

Wet collodion glass plate No No Yes No No No No No

Gelatin dry plate glass Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes* No

Polyester-based film, Some Yes Yes No Some* No Yes* No

Notes: This is a general planning guide. Seek expert advice before taking any action.
Rare and special collections are best treated on an individual basis rather than by mass chamber drying.
Yes = Treatment option has been successfully used and is well documented.
Yes*/Some = Qualified yes. Experimental research and anecdotal evidence indicates treatment can be successfully used.
No = Treatment option is not recommended due to further damage caused to materials OR its effects are unknown.
 Appendix A – Disaster Response Planning

Summary of Recovery Options for Water-Damaged Collections and Records

Page 3 of 4

Material Type Wet- Freeze- Air-Dry Freezer- Dehumid- Vacuum Vacuum Vacuum
Stabilized Stabilize Dry ification- Dry: Freeze- Thermal-
Dry (Ambient Dry Dry
Temp)

nitrates and acetates

 Transparencies

Lantern slides, silver gelatin No Yes Yes No No No No No

Additive color No No Yes No No No No No

Chromogenic colour transparencies, Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes* No

mounted slides, sheet film

 Motion picture film Yes No Yes No No No No No

 Cased photographs (tintypes, ambrotypes, No No Yes No No No No No

etc.)

Microforms

 Roll film Yes Yes* Yes No Yes* No No No

 Aperture cards, jacketed film Yes Yes Yes No Yes* Yes* Yes* No

 Diazo and vesicular fiche No Yes Yes No Yes* Yes* Yes* No

Notes: This is a general planning guide. Seek expert advice before taking any action.
Rare and special collections are best treated on an individual basis rather than by mass chamber drying.
Yes = Treatment option has been successfully used and is well documented.
Yes*/Some = Qualified yes. Experimental research and anecdotal evidence indicates treatment can be successfully used.
No = Treatment option is not recommended due to further damage caused to materials OR its effects are unknown.
 Appendix A – Disaster Response Planning

Summary of Recovery Options for Water-Damaged Collections and Records

Page 4 of 4

Material Type Wet- Freeze- Air-Dry Freezer- Dehumid- Vacuum Vacuum Vacuum
Stabilized Stabilize Dry ification- Dry: Freeze- Thermal-
Dry (Ambient Dry Dry
Temp)

Computer Media

 Open reel magnetic tape Yes Yes* Yes No Yes Yes Yes* No

 Cartridge/cassette tape Yes Yes* Yes No Yes Yes Yes* No

 Cased and floppy disks No No Yes No No No No No

 Compacts Discs (CD-ROM, etc)

No No Yes No Yes No No No

Sound and Video

 Open reel tapes Yes Yes* Yes No Yes* Yes Yes* No

 Cassette tapes Yes Yes* Yes No Yes* Yes No No

 Phonograph records
(shellac, acetate, vinyl, etc.)
No No Yes No No No No No

Notes: This is a general planning guide. Seek expert advice before taking any action.
Rare and special collections are best treated on an individual basis rather than by mass chamber drying.
Yes = Treatment option has been successfully used and is well documented.
Yes*/Some = Qualified yes. Experimental research and anecdotal evidence indicates treatment can be successfully used.
No = Treatment option is not recommended due to further damage caused to materials OR its effects are unknown.