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| The storage has the latest
technology in security and fire protection systems, museum
standard humidity and temperature control, environmental
monitoring and closely managed handling procedures. |
The building was designed and project managed by Jim Grundy, who
joined Gander and White from the Tate Gallery in 2006. His experience
of major gallery construction projects has been invaluable in
bringing the project to reality.
The facilities include a large packing and shipment handling area
and a range of long and short-term storage options in monitored,
humidity and temperature controlled rooms. There is also a store
with 62 pull out picture screens able to accommodate works 3.2m
high. A store for large sculptures, project rooms, a conservation
studio and a gallery style viewing room suitable for publication
quality photography are also available.
Security has been a paramount part of the planning process. Physical
perimeter barriers are incorporated with access control and CCTV
surveillance systems. An internal loading bay offers protected
handling and a specialist 4 ton scissor lift enables safe loading
and unloading of large and heavy works. Internally, vibration
and motion detectors in each room, CCTV cameras linked 24 hours
to the police and access controlled doors to sensitive areas give
a high degree of control.
SOPHISTICATED
HUMIDITY
A sophisticated humidity and temperature controlled system, which
maintains internationally agreed museum standards, is included
in the facility. The monitoring system enables clients and staff
to view relative humidity and temperature in graph form for data
analysis. A pest elimination regime is part of this strategy.
To minimize the risk of fire and the impact of smoke or water
damage each room is a two-hour fire rated compartment with a pre-action
sprinkler system to remove water from the pipes. This reduces
the possibility of water damage as the sophisticated double knock
smoke detection, linked 24 hours to the fire brigade, gives early
warning of any problems.
Renée Pfister, Gander & White
