IBM System Storage TS3500, Introduction And Planning Manual

Page: 217 / 290

Disposing of 3592 cartridges
This section describes how to dispose of 3592 tape cartridges according to federal
and other regulations.
Under the current rules of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
regulation 40CFR261, the IBM TotalStorage 3592 Enterprise Tape Cartridge is
classified as non-hazardous waste. As such, it may be disposed of in the same way
as normal office trash. These regulations are amended from time to time, and you
should review them at the time of disposal.
If your local, state, country (non-U.S.A.), or regional regulations are more
restrictive than EPA 40CFR261, you must review them before you dispose of a
cartridge. Contact your account representative for information about the materials
that are in the cartridge.
If a tape cartridge must be disposed of in a secure manner, IBM recommends that
you use a qualified service provider to degauss and destroy the media.
If you burn the cartridge and tape, ensure that the incineration complies with all
applicable regulations.
Cartridge quality and library maintenance
This section describes how to maintain 3592 Tape Cartridges and the 3584 Tape
Library to ensure proper operation.
The 3592 Tape Cartridge provides high performance and reliability with IBM
magnetic tape cartridge drives when the cartridge is properly handled and stored.
As stated previously, repeated handling or inadvertent mishandling can damage
the physical parts of the cartridge and make it unusable.
The magnetic tape inside the cartridge is made of highly durable materials.
However, the tape wears after repeated cycles in the tape system. Eventually, such
wear can cause an increase in tape errors.
Track the error data available by monitoring both the cartridge and cartridge
library performance. By monitoring error data, you can identify and replace
cartridges that are no longer acceptable for continued use.
Proper maintenance of the 3584 Tape Library helps to keep IBM magnetic tape
cartridge systems operating in a reliable and efficient manner.
Ordering 3592 media supplies
This section gives an overview of the methods for ordering 3592 tape cartridges
and other related media supplies.
You can order media supplies in two ways. The 3599 Tape Media method is
available for ordering all types of data and cleaning cartridges. This method is
typically used for ordering larger quantities and for ordering initialized or
pre-labeled cartridges. Media supplies can also be ordered by using part numbers
through IBM-authorized distributors.
Chapter 5. Using 3592 tape drive media
193