The Museum Environmental Monitoring and Control during Covid19

The Museum Environmental Monitoring and Control during Covid-19 Charlotte Tomlin Preventive Conservator

Course Overview • Agents of Decay • Incorrect Temperature and Relative Humidity • Monitoring and Control • Benchmarks in Collections Care • New Challenges from Covid-19

Agents of Decay

Incorrect Temperature and Incorrect Relative Humidity

Amount of water vapour in air RH (%) = X 100 Total amount of water vapour that air can hold (*) * At a given temperature (o. C)

Correct Temperature and RH? • Temperature between 5 o. C (16 o. C) and 22 o. C • RH between 40% and 65% • Less than +/- 10% in 24 hrs • Microclimates for vulnerable materials types.

Questions?

Monitoring Temperature and Relative Humidity

Controlling Temperature and Relative Humidity

Control - humidification

Questions?

Benchmarks

Basic • 6. 1 • • 6. 2 6. 3 6. 4 6. 5 • 6. 6 • 7. 1 • 7. 2 • 7. 3 • 7. 4 The need for the environmental monitoring of collections is understood, all galleries and stores are visited regularly and environmental monitoring equipment is in use All people carrying out monitoring are trained in the use of equipment available Any environmental data collected is recorded and retained Monitoring equipment is stored and calibrated as recommended by the manufacturer The temperature and Relative Humidity requirements of different materials in the collection are understood Monitoring equipment is in use where risks from temperature and relative humidity have been identified Staff are aware of and understand the need to control environment The bulk of the collection is housed to protect it from extreme environmental conditions Simple measures such as closing doors, moving lights, providing entrance mats and controlling temperature and light levels, are taken to improve the environment of stores and display areas Material is displayed and stored away from heating, air-conditioning vents and windows

Good • 6. 11 • 6. 12 • 6. 13 • 7. 12 • • • 7. 13 7. 14 7. 15 7. 16 7. 17 A programme for the calibration and maintenance of environmental monitoring equipment is in place A record is kept of the calibration and maintenance of all environmental monitoring equipment. A year round programme is in place to monitor and record temperature and relative humidity levels in all galleries and stores housing collections and recommendations are presented to managers The organisation has determined the level of control of the environment (temperature, RH, light, pollutants and vibration) it wishes to achieve for all areas housing collections Controlled environments are maintained for vulnerable items. Staff have control of operational settings of all environmental control equipment A programme for the calibration and maintenance of environmental control equipment is in place A record is kept of the calibration and maintenance of all environmental control equipment. Items arriving in the collection are allowed time to acclimatise gently in areas where they will be stored or displayed

Best • 6. 19 Your organisation regularly reviews the environmental monitoring needs of the collection and recommendations are made to managers in the context of your environmental monitoring records and evaluations • 6. 20 Environmental monitoring records are maintained in a systematic way and retained for a minimum of five years • 6. 21 A record is kept of all special events held in the organisation, including film-making, concerts or social events • 7. 23 Your organisation regularly reviews the environmental control needs of the collection and recommendations are made to managers in the context of your environmental monitoring records and evaluations • 7. 24 Environmental conditions of display cases, exhibition and storage areas are kept stable within defined levels

COVID-19 Challenges

COVID-19 Benefits

Questions?

Thank you

Reading Temperature and Relative Humidity Graphs