Air requirements for your archive
Article 51 of the Archiefregeling sets air rules for a Dutch archive repository (archiefbewaarplaats). It covers gases, dust and airflow. The source text is in Dutch. We use the Dutch legal values as a reference. This guide follows the Dutch Archiefregeling as shown on wetten.overheid.nl on 7 November 2026.
Gas levels: the annual mean
Fresh air and air returned to the store must be cleaned of the gases below. The limits apply to the annual mean inside the store. Ppb is short for parts per billion.
|
Gas |
Maximum annual mean |
|---|---|
|
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) |
1.3 ppb |
|
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) |
6.7 ppb |
|
Ozone (O3) |
0.3 ppb |
Use an annual mean when you compare gas levels. Ask the lab how the set of readings supports that mean.
Dust in the air supply
The dust limit is 75 µg/m³ for both fresh air and air returned to the store. It applies at the point where that air enters the room. Ask the lab to include this sampling point in its plan.
Fresh air and circulation
Fresh air comes from outdoors. Circulation moves air through the room again. Article 51 sets the following minimum rates.
|
Case |
Minimum per hour |
|---|---|
|
Fixed shelving: ventilation |
0.1 × room volume |
|
Circulation |
1 × room volume |
|
Mobile shelving: internal circulation |
1.5 × room volume |
Paragraph 2 gives a ventilation rate for fixed shelving only. Ask for an explanation before you use that rate for mobile shelving.
The change made in 2010
The 2010 amendment cut the SO2 limit from 5.5 to 1.3 ppb. NOx went from 10 to 6.7 ppb, and O3 from 5 to 0.3 ppb. The current text of article 51 states these new values.
Gas check (in preparation)
A gas check is in preparation. You then select a gas and enter its measured annual mean in ppb. The result shows whether it meets the reference limit and how far it is from that limit. It suggests a step: obtain missing test data or discuss filters if the reading is too high. The result covers only the gas you choose.
Airflow check (in preparation)
An airflow calculator is in preparation too. You then enter the store volume in m³ and choose fixed or mobile shelving. It converts the minimum rates above to m³ per hour. For mobile shelving it gives no ventilation rate from paragraph 2.
Use your test data to review the air sampling plan. Set out which test will assess each limit.