environmental guidelines opportunities and risks · environmental guidelines opportunities and...
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Environmental Guidelines Opportunities and Risks
Fenella G. France, Preservation ScientistEric F. Hansen, Chief, PRTD
Library of Congress
How well do current environmental standards and guidelines align with
the conservation of heritage?
Attaining Standards: Assessing Risk
Existing Environmental Standards Recommendations and Guidelines (a selection)• British Standard BS5454: Recommendations for the
storage and exhibition of archival documents. • ISO 11799:2003: Information and Documentation –
Document Storage Requirements for Archive and Library Materials
• ANSI/NISO Z39.79-2001 ISSN: 1041-5653: Environmental Conditions for Exhibiting Library & Archival Materials
• NARA 1571: Archival Storage Standards• Library of Congress Guidelines & Specifications• Thomson, G., The Museum Environment• ASHRAE Chapter• CEN Guidelines
Goals
Standards should enable, not deter
From historic practice to heritage based
The underlying goal of best practice in environmental preservation is to attainoptimum conditions to protect cultural
heritage
This should be aligned with the specific material-based needs of the artefact
Environmental controls for preservation are long overdue for revision
The current economic, political & climate changes challenge standards to be
addressed in context of the above issues
Museums
Libraries
Archives
Historic Houses/ Buildings
Cultural Heritage Institutions: Convergence
Exhibition & Display
Storage: Immediate & Archive
Access: Public &
Researchers
Common Environmental Issues
The Environment: “Macro to Micro”Standards for cultural heritage in context:• The Building (historic architecture or modern)
– Building materials, – Cost of upgrade of structure & systems– Potential for retrofit
• The Room: Storage / Exhibition / Research– Collection type / material specific needs– Cost of humidification / mechanical systems (active vs. passive control– Level of access / zoning– Tolerance levels for materials– Separation of collection: material based vs. content based– Collection vs. human comfort
• The Case: Display / Storage (Visual)– Controlled environment (reduced energy costs)– Range of storage case control
The Building
Rooms: Storage / Exhibition /Research
Cases: Display / Visual Storage
Climate
Standards
Energy
Economic
Factors that Impact
Collections
Buildings: Historic, Modern (define modern), Customised
Knowledge
Where are we currently?
What do we need to define?
Establishment of recognized overarching need to control / limit fluctuating conditions
Standards state that temperature, relative humidity etc. should be at fixed points in a range
To promote longevity customized buildings andspecialized storage evolved
e.g. Library of Congress special storage modules maintained at a constant 10°C and 30% RH
Advances in knowledge of changes in materialsbased on scientific studies
Technology and engineering advances
Collection vs. Human Comfort
Issues• Maintaining and understanding the required
environment• Balancing preservation and access• Collection vs. human comfort• Utilizing technology and engineering advances
effectively– Linking with material properties– Increase access while preserving original
• Adapting standards and knowledge to local environments– Stable versus fluctuating
Gaps
Collaboration, Research, Future
Understanding of fluctuations and cycling for relative humidity of specific materials
Determining major cause of deterioration for specific materials
Differing requirements for materials & materials composites on exhibit, storage
Linking materials research with building control systems / level of control
Internationally agreed standards for cultural heritage buildings and collections
Incorporation of local climate adaptations based upon measured material properties
Whole Artefact
Area /Loss Fragility
Molecular or fibre level
Environmental Control RH, Temp etc.
Micro Changes Acceptable / Irreversible Damage
Damage Factor Tolerance Levels
Standards Impacts / Concerns: Materials “Macro to Micro”
Overview• Establish Advanced Knowledge of Materials Science
for Preservation– Tolerances & Actual Damage– Control of Damage Factors vs. Bulk Parameter
• International Materials Research Collaboration • Implementation of Standards Consensus /
– International loans– Enabling Optimum Protection of Cultural Heritage
• Reality: Achieving Preservation in Current Economic, Energy (mandates) & Climate Changes– Best Allocation of Resources (cost benefit)
• Preservation & Access linked to Damage/Risk• Risk versus Value Assessments
– What is Acceptable / Inevitable Loss