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Dehumidification: Drying technique for use in limited circumstances, involving use of large dehumidifiers to dry damp to moderately wet books and furnishings in place. Must be initiated within 24 hours of disaster to prevent mold growth.
Disaster: An emergency situation of natural or human causes which threatens the library building and its contents and inhabitants.
Disaster plan: A document which outlines procedures to be used and resources to be called upon in the event of a disaster or collection-threatening emergency.
Emergency procedures: A plan of action to respond to an emergency situation.
Environment stabilization: Bringing the environment under control so that the temperature and humidity remain in the desired range in order to minimize further damage to library materials.
Fire detection: System designed to sense the outbreak of a fire and then issue an alert and/or activate a fire suppression system.
Fire suppression: System designed to be activated when a fire detection system senses a fire, and then to put out the fire (e.g., a sprinkler system).
Freezer drying: Drying technique involving use of a self-defrosting blast freezer to dry wet books and documents. Drying may take weeks to months.
Freezing: The response activity of choice for stabilizing most types of wet books or documents; freezing items stops swelling and other distortion and prohibits the growth of mold. Once items are frozen, decisions can be made about how to dry them (such as, vacuum freeze drying).
Hazard assessment: Survey done in order to identify and address circumstances