Microfilm, a long established method of storing documentation provides a simple solution to archiving. A 16mm roll film system is the most variable and versatile microfilm system available. Roll film is used for retaining documents in chronological, alphabetical or numerical sequence. Alternatively, totally random or sequential filming may be indexed into a database and linked to a CAR (computer aided retrieval) system.

A single roll of 16mm microfilm holds between 2,000 and 2,500 documents. The films can be stored in simple microfilm boxes though various types of self-loading cartridges are available.

A microfilm jacket, usually used in a personnel type application, provides an individual record of up to 60 A4 documents in a polyester laminate, 105 x 148mm postcard size, with record identification along a strip at the top of the jacket. The main advantage a jacket format is that it is a unitised record, like a paper file it can added to or edited at any time.

A jacket system has all the advantages of a conventional paper file plus all the benefits that microfilm can add.

The jacket format is also used where a mix of documents and drawings are held in one file, i.e., planning applications or contract files, and in this instance 3 drawings and 36 documents are held within the jacket.

Microfiche is a flat film format the same size as a jacket but with the advantage of having up to 420 images on one sheet. Filming is a direct process and therefore normally necessitates a duplicate, which would become your working copy. This format is also compatible with COM (computer output microfilm) as similar reduction ratios can be used.

Microfilm Services 16/35mmRoll Film

Microfilm has been around for many years and is proven as a long-term stable non-technology dependant method of storage. During the filming process documents are reduced in size and held as positive or negative images. Reduction ratios vary depending on the required output and the type of document. There are two main types of Microfilm Roll 16mm and 35mm. The figure relates to the physical width of the film. 16mm film is used for most standard documents and 35mm film is used for larger drawings of A2, A1 & A0 Size.

Microfiche

Microfiche is an alternative format of film that provides enhanced indexing capabilities. Each Fiche holds a number of images, standard fiche holds 60, thus each set of documents can be indexed which reduces the time spent to retrieve a document. The documents are filmed to roll film and then loaded in to Jackets. The Jackets are then copied on to Fiche. The fiche duplicates are used as the ‘working copies’ and the original jackets should be securely stored.

Combination Jackets

Combination Jackets are a mixture of documents and drawings stored on one fiche. The images are stored on 16 & 35mm film, the drawings being the larger format. Planning application and building control files are normally stored on Combination Jackets and fiche. The process is identical to standard fiche although the jackets hold a different number of images.