Can standard office floor slabs be used for archive stack rooms?

No, archive stack rooms require significantly higher live load capacities (often 10 kN/m2 or more) compared to standard offices due to dense paper storage.

What is the recommended environmental condition for preserving archival records?

A stable temperature of 22°C to 25°C and relative humidity of 45% to 55% should be maintained to prevent paper deterioration and mold.

What is the minimum spacing required between archival storage racks?

A minimum clear gangway width of 0.75 meters is recommended between racks to allow for safe passage and record retrieval.

IS 2663

: 1989

Design of buildings for archives - Recommendations relating to its primary elements

CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesBIMArchitectural · Planning, Housing and Pre-fabricated Construction

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This standard provides recommendations for the design and construction of archive buildings to ensure the safety, preservation, and efficient management of records. It details requirements for spatial layout, structural load capacities for heavy storage, environmental controls (HVAC), and critical fire safety measures.

Design of buildings for archives - Recommendations relating to its primary elements

Quick Reference Values

minimum gangway width between racks0.75 m

main gangway minimum width1.20 m

typical rack heightNot exceeding 2.2 m for manual retrieval

recommended relative humidity45% to 55%

recommended temperature range22°C to 25°C

floor load capacity for stack roomsMinimum 10 kN/m2 (varies by rack density)

Practical Notes

Always verify specific rack weights (e.g., mobile compactors) with manufacturers, as stack room floor loads can easily exceed standard commercial live loads.

Avoid routing wet MEP services (water pipes, drainage) directly above or adjacent to stack rooms to eliminate the risk of accidental water damage.

Windows in stack rooms should be minimized, eliminated, or properly shaded to prevent UV degradation of archival materials and assist in HVAC efficiency.