36 CFR § 1237.18 - What are the environmental standards for audiovisual records storage?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t36/s1237.18"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "36 CFR § 1237.18 - What are the environmental standards for audiovisual records storage?"
title_number: 36
title_name: "Parks, Forests, and Public Property"
section_number: "1237.18"
section_name: "What are the environmental standards for audiovisual records storage?"
chapter_name: "NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "RECORDS MANAGEMENT"
part_number: "1237"
part_name: "AUDIOVISUAL, CARTOGRAPHIC, AND RELATED RECORDS MANAGEMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "44 U.S.C. 2904 and 3101."
regulatory_source: "74 FR 51014, Oct. 2, 2009, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1237"
---


# 1237.18 What are the environmental standards for audiovisual records storage?

(a) *Photographic film and prints.* The requirements in this paragraph apply to permanent, long-term temporary, and unscheduled audiovisual records.

(1) *General guidance.* Keep all film in cold storage following guidance by the International Organization for Standardization in ISO 18911 (incorporated by reference, see § 1237.3). See also ISO 18920 (incorporated by reference, see § 1237.3).

(2) *Color images and acetate-based media.* Keep in an area maintained below 40 degrees Fahrenheit with 20-40% relative humidity to retard the fading of color images and the deterioration of acetate-based media.

(b) *Digital images on magnetic tape.* For digital images stored on magnetic tape, keep in an area maintained at a constant temperature range of 62 degrees Fahrenheit to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, with constant relative humidity from 35% to 45%. See also the recommendations in ISO 18923 (incorporated by reference, see § 1237.3); and the requirements for electronic records storage in 36 CFR 1236.28.

(c) *Digital images on optical media.* For permanent, long-term temporary, or unscheduled digital images maintained on optical media (e.g., CDs, DVDs), use the recommended storage temperature and humidity levels stated in ISO 18925 (incorporated by reference, see § 1237.3).