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The damage inflicted on ob jects after a cyclone consists mainly of water dama ge, mould and mechanical harm.
Not all staff return after a cyclone, some are evacuated and others have important private problems to solve (Doig,
1997). There is also the psycholo gical reaction after a disaster. Corbett writes: ‘However, there was ample evidence
of apathy resulting in further damage by rain during the weeks following the cyclone, and resulting unnecessary
mould problems’ (Corbett, 1974).
A low-lying coastal site is a bad choice for a repository. In the case of a small flat island country, subject to
typhoons, the most suitable site for an archive building might be on the leeward side (Thomas, 1987). Historic
buildings that are well maintained are more likely to survive a disaster (Nelson, 1991).
The roofing and drainage systems are very important. Pitched roofs and a good drainage system ensure a rap id
removal of rain water. Cyclone shutters for all glassed areas will prevent broken glass from flying debris. Cyclone
shutters look like garage roller doors. The external openings of mechanical and electrical plant rooms should be
covered with cyclone dampers. Dampers seal all openings and reduce the pressure on the building. They look like
columns of louvers. Each year before the cyclone season, the shutters and dampers must be inspected to be sure they
work properly when necessa ry. After a cyclone warning it is important to inspect surroundings and remove all
objects that might serve as airborne missiles. Shutters and dampers must be closed. Air-conditioning systems must
be shut down so that in the case of fire the damage is not widespread (Ling, 1998).
The shelving units must be anchored securely to floor and ceiling. Boxes can reduce the damage enormo usly.
Files should never be put on the floor, not even for a few days (Buchanan, 1988; Corbett, 1974; Fortson, 1992).
The International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICB S) planned a conference in 2001 for cultural institutes in
the Caribbean and Central America. The conference was dedicated to preventive measures and the recovery after
tropical cyclones (see ICBS website).
The websites of the Purdue University Weather Processor and the National Hurricane Center provide storm track
charts and text-based tables for storms and plenty of links to satellite and radar imagery. There are many other
publications on tropical cyclones, but they cover different aspects. Doehring and Williams analysed 181 tropical
cyclones that have struck Florida since 1971; Shaw gives a history of tropical cyclones in the Central N orth Pacific
and the Hawaiian Islands between 1832 – 1979; Pielke gives an overview of this meteorological phenomenon,
including a tracking map of the tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico from 1871 to 1989;
Smithson discusses the changing impact of cyclones; Morris discusses a certain global model for early warning
systems; Nelson deals with how to prepare, respond and recover adequately to protect historical buildings from the
next disaster(Doehring et al., 1997 ; Morris, 1990; Nelson, 1991; Pielke, 1990; Shaw, 1981; Smithson, 1993). For
the destructive force of a hurricane see Corbett, 1974 and Loose et al., 1992. For buildings on an earthquake site
see Mayo, 1988 and James Cook University of North Queensland, 1978. For more on tropical cyclones see Aarson,
1989; Anonymous, 1989b; Mathieson, 1983; Trinkley, 1993b.
6.3.3 Forest fires
Fire is a complex phenom enon and, if encountered without adequate knowledge, can threaten an archives building,
its holdings and surroundings. Fire is comp lex because it is highly variable in space and time. This variability is also
seen in successive fires in an area – the fire regime – where the type, frequency, season and intensity of fire vary
markedly. Much remains to be learnt about the effects of repeated fires (Earth and Atmospheric Science, Purdue
University ESA website).
The interaction between people and nature is not without danger, be it in the USA where more than four out of
five forest fires are started by people, according to FEMA, or Canada where people are responsible for starting two
out of every three forest fires (Todd et al., n.d.). Forest fires can have several causes, one of them being lightning.
Under extremely dry conditions forest fires are a potential hazard. The greatest danger associated with the Nigerian
dry sandstorm, the harmattan, is the outbreak of fire. The dry and brittle nature of this weather pattern makes
everything susceptible and the seaso n rarely passes without reports of fire. Homes, markets, offices, schools,
libraries and even vehicles have been destroyed, resulting in staggering losses of property and valuable documents
(Ezennia, 1989).
Another cause of forest fires is the agricultural tradition of slash and burn. In slash and burn cultivation a field
is cleared by felling trees and burning the bush; the ashes return nutrients to the soil. Fields are used only for several
years and are then allowed to lie fallow for a number of years. This is the practice in certain sections of Nigeria.
Besides slash and burn cultivation, hunting tribes burn bushes to aid hunting. In both cases, the uncontrolled
practices have taken a heavy toll (Ezennia, 1989).
Much has changed in the field of fire fighting. Today, early detection is an important component in the total fire
management system. For example, during the past 30 years air patrols have replaced lookouts as the main forest fire
detection method and high altitude infrared detection systems offer a good solution to poor visibility (Kourtz, 1987).
Spatial analysis is another forest fire preparedness planning method to prepare properly for a fire (Lee et al., 1989).
It is clear that buildings and equipment must provide the basic measures for protecting collections against fire
(see also above section on Disaster Planning – Prevention – Fire). The first step is to make a safety zone around
the building. For pines a safety zone of 100 feet is required at least, as a rule 50 feet is the minimum. All dead trees,
plants and shrubs in this zone should be removed. The trees around the archives building should be spaced 30 feet
apart and be pruned to 10 – 15 feet in height. Stone and gravel can be used as fireproof mulch aro und buildings.
Some trees and plants resist fire better than others. Ice plant, aloe, currant, hedging rose, maple and poplar are more
resistant than pine, fir or conifers (see also section on Building). Flammable materials like firewood must be stored
more than 100 feet from the repository. A fire in a rural setting is often very hard to control. When the organisation
is located in a wood far from fire stations or water supplies, it should be prepared to face the threat of forest fires.
If there is no fire hydrant in close proximity to the building it is recommended that an alternative water source (with
pump) is created, like a pond or a well. It is also necessary to make sure that emergency vehicles can reach the
building (Trinkley, 2001).