Do not store nitrate based materials in tightlysealed containers that would lead to pressure buildup. An alternative to the nitrate base was the cellulose acetate base, also known as safety film, so called because it lacked the volatility of nitrate film. It catches fire very easily and once alight is difficult to put out. Cellulose nitrate spectacles college of optometrists. The cinema century april 20, 1918 wake forest university. During the abnormally hot summer of 1949, numerous fires involving cellulose nitrate motion picture films were reported in new york city and adjacent areas. Cellulose nitrate film is one material that is often demonized due to its combustible chemical composition. Flammable nitrate film had previously contributed to several fires in film industry laboratories, studios and vaults, although the precise causes were often unknown.
A number of institutions have patterned their film storage after these regulations. Aug 02, 2018 nfpa 402019 is the 2019 edition of the standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film. Gas released during a nitrate fire can be lethal and is itself flammable. The rate of combustion for cellulose nitrate film is about 15 times that of wood. Cellulose nitrate materials have two undesirable properties.
This includes unexposed film, positive prints, negatives, or used film. Cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate film bases are chemically unstable and require special action to minimize the risk of total. The burn test uses the flammable nature of cellulose nitrate for identification since both cellulose acetates and polyester are much less flammable. Cellulose nitrate motion picture film shall comply with the requirements of section 306. The turner classic movie festival in hollywood built a booth to project old films on nitrate stock. Familiarity with this standard is an essential component of collections management of cellulose nitrate film. Cellulose nitrate definition of cellulose nitrate by the. The early motionpicture industry primarily used nitrocellulose film stock, commonly called nitrate film. Rayle demonstrates the flammability of old nitrate film stock as compared to modern safety film by setting an old nitrate movie trailer on fire. This suggests that the ignition was sudden which, again, is consistent with the properties of cellulose nitrate. Store nitrates separately from all other photographic materials to prevent further collection damage in the case of fire.
Checklist for cellulose nitrate film storage definition of cellulose nitrate film. Cellulose nitrate film, a product once widely used in cinema but ceasing production nearly 70 years ago, is by no means a pillar of the modern industry. Cellulose nitrate motion picture film was used for many years in hollywood. A permit is required to store, handle or use cellulose nitrate film in the following quantities. The storage of all cellulose nitrate still picture and motion picture film is regulated by national fire protection association nfpa 40 standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film. Because cellulose nitrate contains oxygen, nitrate fires can be very difficult to extinguish. Apr 21, 2018 eventually, however, a less hazardous substitute for nitrate film stock was adopted.
Nov 03, 2011 nitrate film uses highly flammable and toxic cellulose nitrate as a base. Because of the high risk of a serious fire and the production of toxic gases, the safest course of action is not to store cellulose nitrate film. In photographic archives, active preservation efforts focus on the film based materials. Standard for the storage and handling of cellulose. Aug 23, 2018 nitrate film is a dangerous old film format thats highly flammable. Motion picture or sound recording film that is coated on a support or base consisting essentially of cellulose nitrate. Do not overcrowd the storage containers, as too much nitrate film in one place increases the risk of fire. Care of blackandwhite photographic negatives on film.
Nonpreventive measures, whether its in hay, oily rags, or nitrate film, can result in a fire. Cellulose nitrate films that have reached the third. Cellulose nitrate film is highly unstable and presents a very serious fire risk since it burns quickly with an intense flame. It catches fire very easily and one alight is difficult to put out. Created as an easytohandle replacement for heavy and awkward glass plates, gelatin film, and paper. The dangers of cellulose nitrate film free leaflet bundesarchiv. Nitrate burn nitrate film trailer set on fire youtube. Once ignited, even nitrate film in good condition burns rapidly. Pyroxylin solution appears as a solution in absolute ethanol or another organic solvent of cellulose nitrate nitrocellulose that contains 11. This was used commercially as celluloid, a highly flammable plastic used until the mid20th century for lacquers and photographic film. With the information given in this section, you can prevent the threat of spontaneous combustion. Storage and handing of processed nitrate film motion. In the early days of the motion picture industry, movie houses and even film studios had devastating fires with many fatalities. Disposal of cellulose nitrate film introduction cellulose nitrate nitrate film was manufactured from about 19101950 for use as a nonbreakable, lightweight alternative to glass plate photographic negatives.
Burning cellulose nitrate film cannot be extinguished. History, science, preservation and treatment of cellulose. Cellulose nitrate film permit requirements appendix chapter 1, section 105. Cellulose nitrate film shall not used or handled in quantities greater than 50 lbs. Cellulose nitrate is highly flammable and ignites readily. Spontaneous ignition of decomposing cellulose nitrate film. 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. Since it generates its own oxygen during combustion, nitrate film will burn even without the presence of air. Cellulose is treated with sulfuric acid and potassium nitrate to give cellulose mononitrate. Care, handling, and storage of motion picture film. Standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film. Motion picture film can be made of various materials and by different processes and both material and process inform storage, handling, and duplication recommendations. Storage and transport of cellulose nitrate film brussels. Burke is an adjunct instructor at the national fire.
The solvent may evaporate if the solution is spilled, leaving a plastic film that is easily ignited and burns very vigorously. We offer tips on how to identify nitrate film, safely store and discard it, and even digitize it. Cellulose nitrate burns quickly and has a characteristic yellow flame. Spontaneous combustion of deteriorated nitrate film has been documented as low as 106o f. Expose this safety film to heat and instead of bursting into flame it will simply melt. Apparently, fire isnt caused by cellulose nitrate in good condition. May 29, 2012 cellulose nitrate film is one material that is often demonized due to its combustible chemical composition.
Because cellulose nitrate films are flammable and there are decomposition concerns, you need to store and manage them in a safe manner that limits decomposition. Unfortunately, nitrate film is a severe fire safety hazard. Store deteriorated cellulose nitrate films separate from other cellulose nitrate films. The requirements of this standard, therefore, apply strictly to longterm storage of cellulose nitrate film. Fires involving cellulose nitrate burn extremely quickly. Cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate are the two types of unstable plastics used as the support for photographic film. This graduated olivecoloured halfeye design by martin wells of australia demonstrates the varied colour options that the cellulose nitrate material offered. Storing and handling cellulose nitrate film with nfpa 40. This chapter shall apply to the storage and handling of plastic substances, materials or compounds with cellulose nitrate as a base, by whatever name known, in the form of blocks, sheets, tubes or fabricated shapes.
Henke fire chief scope an operational permit is required to store, handle or use cellulose nitrate film in a group a occupancy. Jan 11, 2010 artificial heat shall be restricted to steam or hot water only and not to exceed 15psi. Due to its extreme flammability, cellulose nitrate motion picture film requires special fire safety and fire protection precautions. Nitrate film is a dangerous old film format thats highly flammable. Fires involving cellulose nitrate burn extremely quickly with a hot, intense flame and the smoke is. Handling, storage and transport of the cellulose nitrate film. This deteriorated cellulose nitrate film in cold storage at the wisconsin center for film and theater research is past the point of no return. Standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate. The danger of such ignition is reduced by inspecting stored film stocks and removing and destroying all decomposing film. A burning reel of nitrate film cannot be extinguished by any means. Nitrate refers to a group of early transparent plastic film supports that were most common between 1910 and 1950. The very existence of this american national standard might seem strange. It has been the consensus of opinion of authorities that these regulations, if rigorously carried out, take care of the fire hazard and the gas hazard in the case of cellulose nitrate xray films. Spontaneous ignition of cellulose nitrate materials has occurred only in largevolume storage, typically in motion picture film exchanges.
You can preserve or duplicate cellulose n itrate films until the third stage of decomposition. On july 9, 1937, a major fire broke out in a 20th centuryfox film storage facility in little ferry, new jersey, united states. Cellulose nitrate film checklist california fire code chapter 3 fire kurt p. Do not exceed 70 f inside the storage vault, and maintain the relative humidity below 50.
Preserving your collection of filmbased photographic negatives. The us navy has produced an instructional movie about the safe handling and usage of nitrate films which includes footage of a full reel of nitrate film burning underwater. Nfpa 402019 is the 2019 edition of the standard for the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate film the very existence of this american national standard might seem strange. This leaflet is for private individuals and voluntary groups who have or find old film in domestic or other nonworkplace premises. Introduction to nitrate film national science and media. Find out how to identify, store and handle nitrate film, and how to spot signs of decomposition. The dangers of cellulose nitrate film page 4 of 6 how should i store my cellulose nitrate film while im waiting for it to be collected or disposed of.