ISO 18911:2010

Overview

ISO 18911:2010 - Imaging materials - Processed safety photographic films - Storage practices provides practical recommendations for storing processed safety photographic film in roll, strip, aperture‑card or sheet formats. The standard addresses medium‑term and extended‑term storage of photographic film intended as storage (record) copies, not frequently used work copies. It applies to properly processed safety film (and is useful when processing history is unknown), excludes nitrate‑base films, and complements other imaging standards on enclosures and activity testing.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability: Applies only to safety photographic film (see ISO 18906); prints and plates are covered by other standards.
• Storage classifications: Defines two levels - medium‑term storage (suitable for a minimum of 10 years) and extended‑term storage (conditions that can extend useful life of many films to ~500 years).
• Life expectancy (LE) and LE designation: Uses LE ratings (e.g., LE‑100) referenced to a baseline environment (21 °C, 50 % RH) to predict expected life of recorded information.
• Film enclosures and microenvironments: Guidance on open and protective enclosures (sealed vs. non‑sealed), effects of microenvironments on humidity and gaseous pollutants, and enclosure materials compatibility (see ISO 18916).
• Storage housings and rooms: Recommendations for designing storage housings and distinguishing medium‑term vs extended‑term storage rooms.
• Environmental control: Emphasis on temperature, relative humidity, air purity and light control to slow chemical and physical degradation; includes discussion of air‑conditioning and pollutant management.
• Fire‑protective storage: Design considerations to protect films from fire, steam and fire‑fighting agents.
• Handling, identification and inspection: Procedures for labeling, safe handling practices, routine inspection and monitoring to detect deterioration early.

Practical applications and who uses ISO 18911:2010

ISO 18911:2010 is used by:

• Archives, museums and libraries preserving photographic negatives and film records
• Government, commercial and academic records managers
• Film conservation professionals and preservation labs
• Imaging service providers and long‑term digital conversion programs
• Facilities planning storage rooms and environmental control systems

Benefits include extending the usable life of film collections, reducing risk from pollutants and humidity, and informing decisions on enclosure selection and storage investments.

Related standards

• ISO 18906 - Specifications for safety film (basis for applicability)
• ISO 18902 / ISO 18934 - Storage materials, enclosures and albums
• ISO 18916 - Photographic activity test for enclosure materials
• ISO 18920 - Photographic prints (storage considerations)
• ISO 18918 - Photographic plates

Keywords: ISO 18911:2010, photographic film storage, processed safety photographic films, storage practices, extended‑term storage, medium‑term storage, film preservation, life expectancy (LE).