The conservation of irreplaceable artifacts and the safety of human life played a major role in designing suitable fire protection and fire prevention systems for the Smithsonian's Quadrangle museum complex. The engineering project took on added complexity because the facility extends three stories below grade. Although these fire safety systems are not likely to be aesthetically notable nor will they open up new intellectual vistas for most visitors to this new center, they are as important to the display and preservation of works of art and other cultural collections housed in the museum as the museum's lighting, interior finishes, and exhibition design.