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The air should be circulated in the damaged area to eliminate any stagnate air pockets. This may be accomplished by running fans constantly. If possible, the fans should expel the humid air from the area. Dehumidifiers can help to lower the humidity, although they are usually effective only in small, enclosed areas and tend to increase the temperature in a room. They can also freeze up in the lower temperatures required for salvage and recovery operations. Temperature and humidity should be monitored constantly. Any standing water should be pumped from the area. Extreme caution must be taken, as standing water can conceal hazards. All wet debris and carpets should be removed. Section 6. Treating Water-Damaged Records The choice of specific steps to be followed for salvaging records will vary according to the type of records medium being treated and the cause of the damage. The records most likely to be salvaged after a disaster are those that have water damage. A number of options are available for treating water-damaged materials. Paoer Records A decision has to be made by the recovery team leader and/or the record management officer and any available conservation personnel whether water-damaged paper records will be air dried or frozen. When materials are slightly damp and the quantity is considered manageable, air-drying may be considered. If the material is soaked, it should be frozen, regardless of the quantity. Freeze and thermal vacuum-dry method-The most effective procedure for stabilizing water- damaged records and archival materials is to blast freeze them to a temperature of -200{F) and then to dry them by a thermal vacuum process. Freezing offers several advantages because it allows time to: D Estimate recovery costs. D Prepare and coordinate subsequent steps in the drying and recovery operation. D Clean up the affected areas of the disaster site. In addition, freezing stabilizes water-soluble materials such as inks, dyes, etc., which may disperse during natural drying. The subsequent thermal vacuum-drying will cause water to pass from a frozen state to a vapor without returning to liquid form. Under such conditions, the feathering of inks is slight. Freezing and thermal vacuum-drying will also lessen stains and reduce and remove the odor caused by smoke. Drying without freezing method-If it is decided that the freeze and thermal vacuum-drying method is not practical, natural drying of the damaged material is possible. Rooms chosen to be drying areas must have good air circulation and low humidity; this requirement can be achieved by the use of fans, dehumidifiers, and/or air conditioning. Page 40