Disaster Recovery

FIRST AND FOREMOST...THINK POSITIVE

If disaster does strike and your tapes have been compromised...DON'T PANIC, but do get help as soon as possible. Experience, research, and testing have lead to the development of highly effective restoration techniques. At SPECS BROS. we routinely restore video, audio and instrumentation tapes that were considered unusable due to disaster-related damage. We are capable of restoring a single tape or an entire library.

SPECS BROS. offers the following services to assist in your recovery:

• FIRE RESTORATION
• FLOOD RECLAMATION
• CHEMICAL DECONTAMINATION
• ON- SITE EVALUATIONS
• RECOVERY COST ESTIMATES
• DUPLICATION

DISASTER REACTION
5 TIPS TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE

• DO NOT PLAY BACK
  Playing contaminated tapes prior to restoration may cause additional damage to tapes and can harm machinery.

• HANDLE MATERIAL CAREFULLY
  Exercise extreme care when moving tapes from a disaster site. Changing tapes' orientation can cause damage and spread contaminants. If possible, tapes should be cushioned against shock and insulated against sudden changes in temperature.

• FOR FIRE/SMOKE CONTAMINATION
  Chemicals and techniques used to decontaminate your facility are not applicable to magnetic tape. Tape cases should remain closed until proper decontamination can be performed. If tapes have been contaminated by water or fire-suppressant chemicals they need immediate attention.

• FOR FLOOD/LIQUID CONTAMINATION
  Tapes exposed to liquids should be decontaminated as soon as possible, while tapes are still wet. Air drying at your facility is not recommended, as improper drying causes the tapes to deform and may leave corrosive residues. Wet tapes should be kept cool at all times to slow decay.

• FOR CONSTRUCTION/QUAKE CONTAMINATION
  Plaster and mortar dust are both abrasive and easily spread. Tapes should be isolated to prevent further contamination. Moisture can chemically activate corrosive elements: keep tapes dry at all times.

DISASTER RECOVERY
5 TIPS TO FACILITATE RECOVERY

• ASSESS DAMAGE
  Have an expert examine your materials as soon as possible. Most tapes are damaged or contaminated, not destroyed. Virtually all tapes can be restored if they are handled properly.

• REVIEW INVENTORY
  Check inventory lists and source records. If alternate copies exist, restoration of some materials many not be necessary.

• CHECK INSURANCE
  Establish early what your insurance will cover. Remember that any delay in initiating restoration procedures is likely to cause additional damage and cost more.

• DETERMINE RESOURCES
  Time and budget constraints can hamper restoration efforts. Estimate your budget and prioritize your materials.

• GET HELP
  The sooner you get professional help, the more effective your damage control and recovery will be.