Office of Exhibits Central

Partnering for Safer Exhibits

On an early morning in September 1970, a fire at the National Museum of American History (then the Museum of History and Technology) destroyed almost the entire third floor. In response, the Smithsonian Institution developed fire safety standards above those of the legal building codes. Now, Andy Wilson, associate director of fire protection services in the Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management (OSHEM), ensures that all materials used in building exhibitions at the Smithsonian adhere to the highest standard of fire safety.

As building standards and safety regulations increase over time, commonly used materials need to improve to meet the needs of the Institution.

mila-wall® is a moveable wall system which allows galleries to be easily reconfigured between exhibitions. While these types of portable walls have been a godsend to designers and installation teams around the Smithsonian, their use at the Smithsonian only came to the attention of OSHEM about a year ago. Until recently, these walls were constructed out of materials with a fire safety rating of Class C, which fail to meet Smithsonian standards. The Smithsonian’s standard for exhibits in areas with sprinkler systems is Class B rated, and for areas without sprinklers Class A rated materials must be used.

The Office of Exhibits Central works with many of the museums and galleries who currently use mila-walls. As a central contact point, OEC worked with OSHEM and the manufacturers of the modular walls, MBA Worldwide, to express the Institution’s concerns and find a workable solution.

In response, MBA has developed new “B1” panels that are built with Class A rated materials. These safer walls are compatible with the 100 series system, allowing museums with the older walls to add to their inventory without having to replace everything all at once. The new panels are made of cement bonded chipboard and an aluminum framework. All materials are either recycled and/or recyclable. OSHEM has also agreed to allow galleries throughout the Institution to continue using their existing Class C rated panels until they need replacement.

OEC is also taking the lead on a cooperative initiative to coordinate and track the inventory of mila-walls owned by the different galleries around the Mall. This new program will allow museums to share currently owned resources and may enable them to purchase new panels in bulk at a discount, saving the individual museums and the Institution as a whole money at a time when budgets are tight. For more information, email Scott Schmidt, OEC Fabrication supervisor.

top photo: Andy Wilson (left) discusses fire safety regulations with exhibit staff from across the Smithsonian.
bottom photo: The insides of the new B1 Class A fire rated mila-wall® (left) and the old 100 series (right).
photos by David Liston

Ready For Our Close-Up

A film crew from Team Productions was at OEC today filming staff in action on various projects for Smithsonian Spotlight, a new 30-minute magazine format show on Smithsonian Network On Demand. The series will premier early next month and be available "on demand" to customers with cable companies that carry the network. The episode featuring OEC (as well as the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Smithsonian Kite Festival, and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center) will premier in June.

Camera operator Tom Kaufman, along with executive producer Emil Gallina, associate producer Amanda Fox, and sound recorder Rick Patterson had their work cut out for them interviewing OEC staff about the projects they work on and capturing a unique behind-the-scenes view of how an exhibit is made at the Smithsonian.

"What is surprising about the Office of Exhibits Central is the wide variety of projects you work on, the exotic and rare specimens you handle," said Mr. Gallina during a break between filming segments. "I am really impressed by the passion of the staff."

OEC's involvement started when Richard Gould, exhibit specialist in Fabrication, approached OEC director Michael Headley about the possibility of featuring OEC's contribution to the Institution via the new collaboration between the Smithsonian and Showtime. Richard was the liaison between Team Productions and OEC to ensure a smooth day of filming.

TOP PHOTO: Tom Kaufman and Rick Patterson of Team Productions film Terri Cobb of Museum on Main Street installing musical instruments for the staff preview of New Harmonies.

BOTTOM PHOTO: Executive producer Emil Gallina of Team Productions interviews OEC exhibit specialist Natalie Gallelli in the Model Shop about creating life-sized mannequins for the National Air and Space Museum.

Smithsonian Staff Tour OEC

On November 16, 2006, the Smithsonian Community Committee (SCC) sponsored a behind-the-scenes tour for SI staff to see the work that the Office of Exhibits Central (OEC) is doing for Horticulture Services's upcoming exhibit, Orchids: Take a Walk on the Wild Side, which opens January 27, 2007, in the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH).

A intrepid group of about 30 employees from around the Institution braved the rainstorm to learn about how OEC's modelmakers are creating foam tree trunks, a wooden walkway, and the didactic panels for the show. Staff also saw a variety of other projects underway, such as New Harmonies for the Museum on Mainstreet, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (MOMS); and America By Air at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM).

PHOTO: Carolyn Thome, model maker, discusses how she turns a large column of fire rated Urethane foam into a tropical tree trunk for the Orchids. Photograph by David Liston, OEC.