The precious history of Australia’s film Industry was in our hands with this project. We were tasked with the delicate project of replacing the aging air conditioning plant designed to maintain environmental conditions in the underground vaults in Canberra.

These vaults contain Nitrate Film which must be stored within precise temperature and humidity limits to ensure this irreplaceable and extremely fragile film is preserved for future generations. 

Nitrate film also poses a secondary risk in that it is highly flammable and very difficult to extinguish should it catch fire.

For this project, Superior Systems’ engineers designed purpose made air handling equipment incorporating cooling, dehumidification, and flame-proof motors with Variable Speed Drives.  The main air handling units were fabricated in our own factory to ensure precise quality control.

The original installation plan was to move the film from each vault to temporary refrigerated storage units while the works we being undertaken.  Superior System engineers recognised the significant risk this posed for the precious film and, in conjunction with the client, devised a temporary cooling and humidity system which allowed the plant to be replaced on one vault at a time without the need to move the film from its original location.

This project is a prime example of how Superior Systems’ wealth of experience working in critical environments can ensure your project receives the same exceptional care, and attention to detail, as that provided to the Nitrate Vaults Project for the NFSA.