Why Archive storage? Do you know how long it is since the introduction of the A4 paper size?
The chances are you probably don’t, and let’s face it, why would you unless you were boning up for a pub quiz?
The answer is actually 37 years. Yes A4 was introduced in 1975 and has gone on to become the universal standard paper size for home and business use. Virtually every posted item you receive; be that bills, invoices, faxes, if you can remember those, and letters are drafted on A4 paper. Even the advent of email hasn’t diminished the amount of A4 paper we use, particularly in business.
Unfortunately this presents us with a problem, and that’s especially the case for businesses. What do you do with all that paperwork? Well, obviously you can judiciously shred any paper that you no longer need, but have to be mindful about disposing of sensitive documentation. However, businesses have their hands tied by record keeping laws and data protection: regulations dictate that much of the everyday paperwork used in a business or organisation has to be kept for a minimum of 5 years. So where should businesses keep this stash of paperwork? Well, the answer is in storage boxes on archive racking in an archive store. Archive boxes, also known as file boxes, document boxes, office box files or banker’s boxes, provide the perfect solution for archiving documents. The most appealing point about archive storage boxes is that the low purchase price of cardboard archive boxes means this type of storage solution is suitable for all businesses regardless of size.
What size archive storage box is right for your business?
Well generally a box of at least H250 x W250 x D370mm is required to ensure A4 paperwork can be stored easily either on its own or stored within standard document folders. There are an infinite number of different size boxes available, so it’s important to work out what you’ll be storing in each box and where and how the boxes will be stored when full. Monarch Shelving’s own archive box is designed specifically to allow a variety of A4 papers and Foolscap sized folders to fit easily within the box and to also fit within our standard sized shelving for maximum storage capacity.
What is Foolscap?
The foolscap paper size is now generally only used for outer folders for A4 paperwork, the foolscap size of 216 x 343mm allows A4 documents sized 210 x 297mm to fit easily, with enough space around the edges to offer protection to the documents.
Archive Racking
When used in small offices archive boxes are often stacked one on top of the other in an unused corner. However this isn’t really advisable: using them in this way can lead to the boxes becoming damaged and it makes retrieving paperwork all but impossible. Monarch Shelving recommends using dedicated archive box shelving and racking to prevent damage to the cardboard and to make document retrieval much easier. Single or double depth shelves are available in a wide range of depths to accept as many boxes as possible: a selection of bay heights means that there are an infinite number of storage solutions for customers who want access to documentation with or without step ladders.
We offer archive boxes together with a wide range of standard archive shelving units to buy online, if you have a large or specific requirement for archive storage or if you would like more information please call us on 00161 627 3444 or email sales@monarchshelving.co.uk.
