BFI Nitrate Holding Vaults (NHV) HVAC Upgrade - AWARD

The Nitrate Holding Vaults (NHV) at BFI Berkhamsted is a temporary storage facility of Nitrate Cellulose Film which was constructed to a high level of fire and structural integrity due to the highly flammable nature of Nitrate Cellulose Film when stored incorrectly.

This building is used as a temporary store for Nitrate Cellulose Film which is being conserved or catalogued after being transported from the BFI’s Master Film Store in Gaydon, Warwickshire where it is stored at -5oC +/- 2oC and 30-40%RH. As this is a temporary storage facility and not a long term archive the environmental conditions required from this building are less stringent at 12oC +/- 16C and 35-55%RH.

The building contains 24 individual enclosures (cells), each one is made of reinforced concrete, approximately 150mm thick and it is isolated from its neighbour by 150mm of mineral fibre.

The BFI seeks a contractor to undertake this works and the main objects and works of the project are;

• Replacement of the AHU which serves the Nitrate Holding Vaults to achieve 12oC (minimum) to 16oC (maximum) and 35%RH (minimum) to 55%RH (maximum) at all times throughout the year without rapid swings in either temperature or relative humidity.

• Reinstatement of the drench system to protect the building in event of fire.

• Removal from use for Nitrate Cellulose Film the 12 cells which are closest to the main BFI National Archive building.

• Introduction of a BEMS system to monitor operation of the AHU and conditions being achieved within the store.

• Improvements to the fire separation between the NHV’s and the main building including replacement of main entrance door, fire alarm heads and fire alarm panel for the NHV.