ISO 10356:1996

INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
First edition
1996-l I-01
Cinematography - Storage and handling
of nitrate-base motion-picture films
Cingmatographie - En treposage et manipulation de films
cin&matographiques ;j base de nitrate
Reference number
IS0 10356:1996(E)

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IS0 10356:1996(E)
Foreword
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national standards bodies (IS0 member bodies). The work of
preparing International Standards is normally carried out through IS0
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for
which a technical committee has been established has the right to be
represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. IS0
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard IS0 10356 was prepared by Technical Committee
ISO~C 36, Cinematography.
0 IS0 1996
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Organization for Standardization
Case Postale 56 l CH-121 1 Geneve 20 l Switzer land
Printed in Switzerland
II

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IS0 10356:1996(E)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD @ IS0
Cinematography - Storage and handling of nitrate-base
motion-picture films
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies safety aspects for handling and storage of radiation-sensitive motion-picture
films which do not comply with the requirements of IS0 543. This International Standard applies to all nitrate-base
films which are or have been used in motion-picture photographic systems.
Compliance with the storage and handling conditions specified in this International Standard does not ensure
protection of the film from deterioration nor reduce its safety hazards.
2 Normative reference
The following standard contains provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this
International Standard. At the time of publication, the edition indicated was valid. All standards are subject to
revision, and parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the standard indicated below. Members of IEC and IS0 maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
IS0 543: 1990, Photography - Photographic films - Specifications for safety film.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this International Standard, the following definitions apply.
3.1 radiation-sensitive film: All kinds of radiation-sensitive camera, duplicating and printing films and also
processed original films, duplicates and prints.
3.2 safety photographic film: Photographic film which passes the ignition time test and burning time test as
specified in IS0 543.
IS0 543, in specifying safety film, makes a primary distinction based upon requiring a long or infinite burning time
NOTE -
for a sample in a specified test. Additional information is given concerning films whose composition is such that they may be
expected to fail, or to give ambiguous results in, the burning test.
3.3 nitrate-base film; cellulose nitrate film: Radiation-sensitive nitrate-base film which fails the burning and
ignition tests of IS0 543.
NOTE .- Because of the precautions required for the safe handling and storage of nitrate-base film, all radiation-sensitive
films that do not originally (as opposed to being transferred from some other film) carry the marking specified by annex B of
IS0 543:1990 should be considered to be nitrate-base films until proven otherwise.
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@ IS0
IS0 10356:1996(E)
4 Composition (see annex A)
The composition of nitrate-base film is described approximately by the following contents, expressed as
percentages by mass:
70 % to 82 %
- cellulose nitrate
(nitrogen content II,5 % to 12,6 %)
5 % to 15 %
- plasticizer
5 % to 15 %
- photographic layers
I,5 % to 4,5 %
- gaseous components
Although the fundamental hazard of cellulose nitrate is flammability, which has been
WARNING -
somewhat reduced by the addition of the plasticizer, it is considered an explosive in the sense of laws on
explosives. Cellulose nitrate is easily ignited, has a low ignition temperature and a fast burning rate,
decomposes even without access to air and during decomposition forms fla
...