Handling Security With Care

Jan 1, 2004 12:00 PM

Securing the safety of the artifacts, people and buildings that make up the vast Smithsonian Institution would be a daunting task.

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and research organization, composed of 16 museums and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and New York City.

To upgrade the security and fire systems at two of its Suitland, Md.-based support facilities — the Museum Support Center and the Cultural Resource Center — the Smithsonian has selected Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls to design, install and integrate security and fire alarm systems.

“Complex facilities require security upgrades that will not infringe on vulnerable building materials or valuable artifacts,” says Pat Young of Johnson Controls.

The Cultural Resources Center is the second of three facilities comprising the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. It is home to the extensive collections and research programs of the museum. Completed in 1998 and opened in 1999, the CRC provides state-of-the-art resources and facilities for the proper conservation, protection, handling, cataloging, research and study of the museum's collections, library holdings, and photo and paper archives. The CRC also serves as a hub for the museum's community services.

In addition to performing security upgrades, Johnson Controls also performs operations and maintenance for the security systems in most Smithsonian facilities.

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