The climate control inside the rooms is achieved thanks to three CIAT™ climate control units distributed in each space, and programmed to maintain the relative humidity and temperature parameters stable in the range of 50% and 20°C, respectively, which are necessary for the conservation of cultural assets of this nature. The operation of these air conditioners is independent of the building's air conditioning system, which means that the recommended Maximum Daily Oscillation (MDO) of 5 % relative humidity and 1 °C temperature is not reached. In addition, the SENSONET® wireless acquisition and monitoring system allows online monitoring of the environment in each room in real time thanks to its system of sensors. Its software allows statistical analysis and comparative environmental studies between the rooms and the outside, which facilitates the understanding of the climatic behaviour of the rooms and the building.

• The Vault

The vault is an armoured room that has been built in accordance with the requirements of security grade VII for the protection of cultural heritage in museums, by armouring its walls and installing a security armoured door. Access to the room is restricted by an electronic control system with a personal identification code and locking device. It also has a video surveillance system, and in the event of a fire in the building, its structure could withstand the arrival of the fire brigade for up to two hours. In its 55 m2, there are 60 m3 of compact cabinets with 227 linear metres of shelving (in single-height occupation, with a maximum of four heights). The room is insulated from the outside and air-conditioned, with double access doors so that the programmed standards of relative humidity and temperature are maintained inside. The vault houses the most significant collection deposited in the CENIEH, that is, the most transcendental specimens either for their uniqueness or for their great scientific and cultural value. Here are preserved nearly 500 fossils of hominins classified as Homo antecessor, the preneanderthals of the Sima de los Huesos or Homo sp. (from the site of the Sima del Elefante). But also fauna and lithic industry of special relevance for the study of the ecosystems, behaviour and technology of the first settlers of the Iberian Peninsula. 

• Collection Rooms 1 and 2

Collection rooms 1 and 2 have an identical layout. In each of their 120 m2 of floor space, 51 compact cabinets are organised with a capacity of 617 linear metres of shelving (in single-height occupation, with a maximum of four heights). Like the vault, they have been isolated from the outside and have a double access door to avoid disturbing the stability of their air conditioning. The rooms contain most of the AP collection of fauna and lithic industry, organised by taxonomy or raw material, site, stratigraphic unit and excavation square.