Drawing Storage
The sort of larger documents that most often require careful storage are those created by hand or using a computer and plotter. In addition to careful storage, consideration needs to be given to security and prompt and precise access. Lockable storage and filing systems or logical arrangement needs to be employed. Vistaplan supply a range of document storage products.
By larger documents we mean documents that are A0, A1, A2 and A3 size, remembering that as the number following the A gets smaller the paper size gets bigger - see our document on paper sizes.
There are two main ways to store such documents:
- By suspending them and storing the suspended documents in fixed or mobile drawing cabinets
- By storing them in drawers in specially designed drawing cabinets (sometimes called plan chests) or wall mounted and mobile carriers.
Suspending Documents
There are two ways in which documents may be suspended:
- Fixing hanging strips to the document. Hanging strips are normally made of heavy-duty plastic, often polypropylene, to which the document can be attached by adhesive tape built into the strip. The hanging strip contains several holes that line up with the prongs in the storage unit.
Since the hanging strip is fixed directly to a single document this system is ideal where ready access to an individual document is required.
- Drawing hangers are spring-loaded grips that can hold up to 100 sheets of paper - the number of sheets depending upon the thickness and quality, hence the weight, of the paper. The loaded drawing hanger is suspended in a storage unit.
Storing Suspended Documents: Plan Cabinets
There are several means of storing suspended documents, depending upon the access requirements, office space and security. These units are called Drawing Cabinets or Plan Cabinets and normally only store documents suspended by means of hanging strips or drawing hangers.
- Plan Cabinets can be made from wood or metal and may also be lockable, thus providing a degree of security for sensitive documents. As a safety feature, some plan cabinets are fitted with anti-tilt feet that automatically extend and retract when the door is opened and closed.
- Open Framework Drawing Cabinet: Where security is not an issue this design can prove an economic alternative; these are normally fixed to the floor to provide added stability
- Mobile Display Carriers, fitted with castors, can store suspended documents and the whole unit can then be easily moved around the office.
Wall Mounted Storage of Documents
In addition to cabinets and mobile storage, the carriers on which suspended documents can be fixed to a wall and the suspended documents supported in the prongs.
Storing Documents in Drawers: Planchests
P
lanchests can be made from wood or metal and can consist of varying numbers of drawers - generally from six to ten drawers. The drawers can usually accommodate paper up to A0 size. For greater flexibility some plan chests have eight drawers holding documents up to A1 size with a further four drawers for A0 documents. Other variants have eight drawers holding documents up to A2 size with a further four drawers for A1 documents.
Plan chest also offer secure document storage since most of them have lockable drawers.
Plan chests normally have drawers down to the ground but other designs are raised on legs.
Summary
However you create your documents secure and protective storage - and ease of access - are important considerations. Fortunately there is a wide range of options avaialble from Visplan and you will be able to find the option that suits your environment and budget.
