[QuadList] An O/T but interesting topic--nitrate film of all built on top of high-power AM antenna radials--Safe?

[Johan Glas]

Nitrate is very dangerous burning, but try to start the fire, not easy. The
danger here pointed out seems minor to zero to me.

Johan Glas, the Netherlands
Op 1 mrt. 2016 20:58 schreef "Ted Langdell via QuadList" <
quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>:

>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Ted Langdell <Ted at quadvideotapegroup.com>
> To: Peter Ford <pford at windowslive.com>
> Cc: "<quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>" <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
> Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2016 11:58:14 -0800
> Subject: Re: An O/T but interesting topic--nitrate film of all built on
> top of high-power AM antenna radials--Safe?
> Hi Peter,
>
> Film cans as RF powered heaters.  Hmmm.
>
> There's at least one member of the group that might have a thought. I've
> forwarded this to him and he may reply either directly or through the
> group.
>
> Perhaps someone should be going into more than one of the vaults and doing
> some measurements with appropriate equipment?
>
> If the building is concrete and made with any kind of wire mesh in the
> concrete, is it possibly acting as a Faraday cage?
>
> Is there any plan to rebuild the taller antenna using the same antenna
> base, Et Cetera?
>
> When you have a chance, please feel free to share any stories about your
> use of the AVR-1 and other machines.
>
> Pictures that add to the story and don't take the message above one
> megabyte total will pass through the Mail system without a problem.
>
> Otherwise, I get a message that says I need to take a look and approve
> large files.
>
> Thanks again for an interesting subject.
>
>
>
> Ted
>
> Ted Langdell
> Secretary, Quad Videotape Group
> Ted at quadvideotapegroup.com
> (530)301-2931
>
> Dictated into and Sent from my iPhone, which is solely responsible for any
> weird stuff I didn't catch.
>
>
> On Mar 1, 2016, at 11:25 AM, Peter Ford <pford at windowslive.com> wrote:
>
> This is off topic, but members of the group may be able to help with
> advice as many of you have backgrounds in Radio and Television Broadcasting.
>
> A Film and Tape Audio-Visual Archive (where I have previously carried out
> quad restoration work using an AVR1 - the connection?) is not permitted to
> store Videotape/Safety Film and Nitro-Cellulose (Nitrate) film in the same
> building.  Except for very small quantities undergoing restoration the bulk
> of the Nitrate Film collection had to be stored in disused ammunition
> bunkers in an isolated spot in the countryside.
>
> About two years ago this Archive and the Government Archive combined their
> Nitrate Film Collections in a brand new purpose built climate controlled
> secure vault in a secret location.  Very commendable - but I have found the
> location and I see there may be a big problem.
>
> About 40 Km from the city centre is an AM Radio Transmission site.  There
> are five transmitters with a combined output of about 150 KW.  They had two
> masts one 220 meters high and the other 137 meters.  However  recently the
> 220 meter mast was discovered to have a corrosion problem and was dropped
> with explosives.  It was this activity that drew my attention to the site.
> To my surprise I  found the new Nitrate Film vault.  It had been built here
> over the top of the ground radials for the 220 meter mast and 0.5 km from
> the 137 meter mast.
>
> Nitrate Film is extremely flammable....it has almost the same composition
> as Nitro-Glycerine a very hot burning explosive (5000 degrees C).  Having a
> large quantity of this stuff located in a very strong RF electromagnetic
> field is asking for trouble.  The films are in individual metal containers
> stacked 8 high on painted metal shelving.  My theory is each stack of 8
> cans will be acting as an aerial and there will be a large RF potential
> difference between the bottom of the stacks and the shelving.  This is an
> ignition or detonation source only being suppressed by a thin layer of
> paint.  Because the transmitters run 24/7 if an arc starts it will not stop.
>
> I spoke to the local council about the danger.  They assured me the vault
> has a 4 hour fire rating therefore complied with regulations.
>
> Anyone agree with me this is a very dangerous situation?
>
>
> ______________________________________________
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>
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