ZB tests new emergency concept

In the event of a fire or similar disaster at the Central Library (ZB), immense damage is imminent. On the one hand, people - around half a million people visit the ZB every year - are at risk. On the other hand, the precious, sometimes unique holdings could be damaged or even destroyed. In cooperation with specialist companies, the ZB has now renewed its emergency and security concept and tested it in an exercise on Wednesday. Personal protection remains the top priority, as Emil Rebsamen, head of building management, explained. In the event of a fire, the building will be evacuated. According to a media release, however, "initial precautions" could already be taken at the time of the evacuation of people, which could counteract excessive damage to the ZB material. Communication with the fire department is also important: if the fire department knows where particularly valuable items are located, it can intervene in a gentle manner if necessary.

After the fire department has extinguished the fire, the employees of the ZB begin to salvage the works. According to Rebsamen, good training for this disaster is of central importance. For example, every employee who brings works to safety in an emergency must be aware that "fully wet books" are twice as heavy - the racks could collapse under this load. Furthermore, the proper handling of water- and fire-damaged objects must be practiced. According to the press release, the ZB also intends to take more preventive measures. For example, it is planned to purchase additional emergency material "that is individually tailored to the special objects". Special attention will be paid to large-format or highly sensitive works that would be irreversibly damaged by the slightest contact with water. (SDA)

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