Rapport

FFI-RAPPORT 16/00707

125

does not cause the entire structure to collapse, as the stacking of the

piqlBins help to keep it upright.

Box

The piqlBoxes that are in contact with the flames and in their near

proximity will be severely affected by the fire. The PP in the piqlBoxes

has a melting temperature of 170° Celsius, and regular room fires can

reach between 600 and 1200° Celsius. The PP will therefore melt fairly

quickly, especially when exposed to fire for a longer period of time as

the extreme temperatures are sustained. The once hard plastic will turn

into a thick, sticky mass. If the piqlBoxes come in contact with the

melted aluminium of the grid, that will cause more damage as well.

The piqlBoxes which do not melt have still been subjected to extreme

temperatures. They will need replacing, as their structural integrity has

been compromised and their longevity can no longer be guaranteed.

Film

The piqlFilms that are in contact with the flames and in their near

proximity will be severely affected by the fire. The PET in the piqlFilms

has a melting temperature at approximately 260

Celsius, but already at

a temperature of 75° Celsius the properties of the PET will change a lot.

What happens is the same as when glass is heated; it will get softer and

more viscous. If the piqlBox serves to protect the Films from some of

the heat, it may well be that the melting PP of the Box will damage the

film where the materials come in contact.

The piqlFilms which do not melt have still been subjected to extreme

temperatures. This will also affect the readability of the piqlFilm, as

everything will get blurred.

Power/energy supply

The forest fire causes a general power outage in the area near the

piqlVault, but the generator which the piqlVault is fitted with manages

to keep up other functions, such as ventilation. When the fire reaches the

building, however, the electrical wiring short-circuits and all power

supply is lost.

Divergence from

ISO standard

The temperature in the storage room naturally increases rapidly once the

fire breaks out as flames generate and release large amounts of heat. The

flames, of course, do the most damage, but the rise in temperature in the

confined space will increase the negative effect on the remaining

piqlFilms.

Security mechanisms

Integrity

The piqlFilms that are in close proximity to the fire will be beyond

repair and the data will be lost. It will no longer be possible to verify the

integrity of the information. The information on the piqlFilms that are

subjected to the extreme heat may blur, depending on the proximity to

the fire source.

The damage, however, would have been far greater without the oxygen