Waterproofing a darkroom

[Gem Singer]

Cyrus,

Do you want function or do you want beauty?

If you want beautiful function, merely wrap the ugly plastic containers in gift wrap and tie a nice bow around them.

BTW, Rubbermaid doesn't think their containers are ugly.

[cyrus]

Cyrus,

Do you want function or do you want beauty?

Well...my fiance would say, both!

But I guess a darkroom is dark anyway...

[Jim Michael]

Rent a safe deposit box at your local bank - for negatives, that is.

[civich]

The OP's worry is a very common misconception engendered by too many movies wherein the hero pulls the fire alarm or shoots a sprinkler head thereby setting off all of the building's fire sprinklers. - It don't happen that way! - If the OP's sprinklers have gone off it is because he's set his darkroom on fire and he needs to get the hell out! Each sprinkler head has it's own heat sensitive glass capsule filled with chemicals whose expansion can be tailored for various heat level sensitivities. But regardless of the heat level which will set it off - only it will fire until the heat spreads to the next head and activates it. There are some very specialized systems where the whole system can be fired either automatically or manually (a DEA evidence vault comes to mind) but they are rare.
-Chris

[cyrus]

Ah! Good to know! So if my neighbor sets off his sprinklers mine won't necessarily go off. That's a bit of peace of mind cuz I've been glancing askance at my neighbors too!

[Harold_4074]

In lieu of a waterproof filing cabinet (which probably doesn't exist) consider looking for a defunct upright deep freeze. The more modern ones (<25 years old) have magnetic strip gaskets which are essentially airtight when closed. You can probably get one for free from a local appliance dealer if they have a "buy a new one and we'll haul away the old one" policy; otherwise, try Craig's List. Reasonably clean looking, and they come with shelves!

[bigdog]

Find another place for your darkroom.