Even if a building is secure and well constructed, the internal environment must be right for the objects stored inside or there is risk of damage from damp, mould, pests or dryness and excessive heat.

The floor inside each shelter is un-insulated concrete which, together with the walls, provides massive thermal stability across the year with additional conversion measures advised by NCS. These include a hygroscopic paint on the steel lining inside, an acrylic seal on the floor slab and additional sealing around the 14 ton doors. Back-up cooling, heating and humidity control equipment is installed in those shelters for which the environmental specification would require additional control at demanding times of the year.

The environment for archives, books and other relevant organic material objects needs to meet the humidity and temperature specifications in BS 4971:2017 all year round and must be free of pests that might cause damage to the collections.  NCS staff monitor the environment inside the providers' stores and advise if conditions do not meet requirements.

The conversion of Restore's and Briggs' stores have been designed to help meet BS 4971:2017 climate  requirement of c.13° C to 23° C, - providing an annual average of less than 18°C and thermal stability of no more than 1° C in any 24 hours - and between 35% to 60% Relative Humidity.  Environmental monitoring records are published for all NCS members to view, in the Members' Area of this website, along with pest monitoring reports and data.

Low Energy

We are committed to helping all storing organisations' to minimise their carbon footprint, at this site and elsewhere. The NCS-monitored storage shelters at Heyford can maintain internal conditions with a relatively low input of energy, making them sustainable solutions for long term conservation of heritage.

For more information contact: enquiries@ncs.org.uk.