Which rules apply
| Document | Who it applies to | What it sets |
|---|---|---|
| Rosarkhiv Order of 02.03.2020 No. 24 — Rules for storage, acquisition, accounting and use of documents of the Archival Fund and other archival documents in state and municipal archives, museums, libraries and research organisations | state and municipal archives, museums and libraries holding archival documents | item 5.13 — conditions for paper documents; item 5.15 — permitted fluctuations; item 5.17 — instruments, measurement frequency and the log |
| Rosarkhiv Order of 31.07.2023 No. 77 — Rules for storage … of archival documents in state bodies, local authorities and organisations | archives of organisations | item 88 — conditions; item 89 — fluctuations; item 90 — control and frequency; item 91 — recording of readings and actions |
| Ministry of Culture Order of 23.07.2020 No. 827 — Unified rules for acquisition, accounting, storage and use of museum objects and collections | museums | the procedure for acquisition, accounting and storage of museum objects; the rules are set for six years from 01.01.2021 |
Figures for archive storage
| Temperature for paper documents | 17–19 °C (Order No. 24, item 5.13; Order No. 77, item 88) |
| Relative humidity | 50–55 % |
| Seasonal and daily fluctuations | no more than 5 °C and no more than 10 % humidity (item 5.15; item 89) |
| Instruments | a thermometer and hygrometer or a thermo-hygrometer, at least 1 m high (item 5.17) |
| How often to measure | air-conditioned storage — weekly, non-air-conditioned — twice a week, during excursions — daily (item 5.17; item 90) |
| Recording | readings and corrective actions in a log; under Order No. 24 the log also shows instrument verification dates |
Fluctuations matter more than averages. A store may hold 18 °C and 52 % “on average” but swing by 6 °C a day because of heating or open doors. Weekly readings will not show that — continuous data will. It immediately shows whether daily fluctuations stay within 5 °C and 10 %.
How we work
- Survey
Stores, halls, display cases, heat and moisture sources, conditions for each type of collection.
- Storage mapping
A week of measurements on a grid — to find where it is warmer, more humid and where fluctuations are greater, and to put permanent sensors there.
- Monitoring
Discreet wireless temperature and humidity sensors, an electronic log instead of weekly rounds, an alarm when limits are exceeded.
- Verification
Sensors are verified measuring instruments; verification dates are in the log, as item 5.17 of Order No. 24 requires.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature and humidity does archive storage need?
For paper documents — 17–19 °C and relative humidity of 50–55 %, with seasonal and daily fluctuations within 5 °C and 10 %. This is set by Rosarkhiv Order No. 24 (items 5.13, 5.15) and Order No. 77 (items 88, 89).
How often should temperature and humidity be measured in an archive?
In air-conditioned storage — weekly, in non-air-conditioned storage — twice a week, during excursions — daily. Readings are recorded in a log.
Can the log be electronic?
The rules require readings and corrective actions to be recorded. An electronic system does this continuously; the log for inspection is built from its archive.