Five Challenges in Saving this Masterpiece Reducing Loss of Use and Operational Expense

With ACR’s Jim O’Callaghan and Subject Matter Expert Bob Smolka

Jim O’Callaghan founded ACR in 1986 with partner Mike Pohl. They created an overall business promise to reduce loss of use and operational expense for clients who have suffered property damage. For more than 30 years, Jim has become a recognized restoration industry leader in preparation and planning for business continuity.

Bob Smolka is Production Manager for ACR and is an expert in restorative cleaning. His experience, spanning over 25 years, as well as intensive restoration education, bring an advantage that helps clients maintain operational continuity.

This Case Study profiles the

restoration of this historic church’s

world-famous frescoes.

Get your copy of this Case Study

using the link at the end of this

presentation.

WHAT HAPPENED? A prayer candle accidentally ignited a small fire that burned unattended over night, spreading smoke and residue throughout the structure’s interior covering the hand-painted frescoes. Plus, the smoke residue of prayer candles over the years has accumulated, obscuring the intensity of the icons.

CHALLENGE 1 Among the most extensive iconographic art interiors in the world, it took over three years to complete at immeasurable cost. Replacement would be hard to even imagine.

“Ghosting” (smoke is attracted to colder surfaces such as wall supporting lumber) is clearly seen.

CHALLENGE 2 The right restorative cleaning method must be matched to the materials affected by the smoke residue. If the wrong method is used, these frescoes will likely be damaged further.

The church had hired a

cleaner but unfortunately

they chose an incorrect

cleaning method, creating

more damage.

Water or solvents should

never have been applied to

the hand-painted interior.

The correct method for safe soot cleaning in this case is dry, manual removal.

CHALLENGE 3 The damaged surfaces are not easy to reach. The central dome is about 7 stories up and arches are about 40 feet tall.

A scaffold was erected

to reach the highest

affected areas, up to

the 7 story central

dome.

And scissor lifts were required for us to reach.

CHALLENGE 4 Beyond the hand-painted frescoes, there are other expensive structural and decorative elements that are at risk of damage in the restoration process…they MUST be protected.

So a custom ramp was built to protect the entrance when

scissor lifts were driven into the

space.

And the entire marble floor was covered to protect it while equipment and personnel were working.

CHALLENGE 5 Church activities MUST go on. Masses, memorials, ceremonies and even youth camp are all centered here with no appropriate alternative location.

ACR coordinated work scheduling not to compete with these activities, allowing for 100% savings of operational continuity. Equipment was staged to be easily moved aside to accommodate usage needs.

Outcome: Restored to Pre-Loss Condition with Zero Loss of Use.

RESOURCES

ACRrestores.com

Contact Jim O’Callaghan Managing Director

Contact Bob Smolka Production Manager

REQUEST YOUR CASE STUDY:

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