TS ISO 11799

TS ISO 11799 addresses the physical and environmental requirements of repositories used for the long-term storage of archive and library materials. It is concerned not only with shelving or storage layout, but also with where the building is sited, how it is constructed or renovated, and whether the installations and equipment inside and around the building are suitable for preservation-oriented storage. In practical terms, it frames the repository as a controlled environment intended to reduce deterioration over time.

What the standard focuses on in repository design

The standard applies to repositories holding all archive and library materials, including situations where mixed media are stored together with paper-based materials. It also allows separate areas or compartments within a repository when environmental conditions need to be controlled for particular material needs. This distinction matters because different carriers and formats can respond differently to temperature, humidity, light exposure, pollutants, and handling conditions.

Infrastructure, safety, and general technical context

In broader technical terms, archival repositories are not simple storage rooms; they are planned spaces where building safety, fire precautions, emergency egress, seismic considerations, and protection against theft or unauthorized access may be relevant. The standard recognises that many of these topics are governed by national or local building regulations, so it avoids detailed rules in those areas and instead stays focused on how repository conditions should be organised around preservation needs.

Overall, TS ISO 11799 provides a framework for thinking about storage infrastructure that supports the long-term care of archive and library holdings. Its value lies in connecting building characteristics, services, and equipment with the preservation purpose of the repository, rather than treating storage as a purely spatial issue.