museum archive humidity issue

[wsoppitt]

hello fellas , looking for some advice on the following :

The local town council have a museum archive room which currently has 2 X portable de-humidifiers running to combat the humidity .

They want to get rid of the de-humidifiers and install something a bit more permanent to combat this issue .

I was thinking humidifan extractor fans .

The room must be kept cool and the heating is being replaced to suit .

the room measures approx 9.2m ( length ) , 5.5m (width ) , 2.6m ( height ) .

Room has a single glaze window which rarely opens of size 1.8m x 1.2m .

Never had to work in this type of delicate environment before so need to get it correct so dont potentially damage any of the artifacts .

any advice would be greatly appreciated with regards to what i should be aware of and possible solutions .

many thanks wayne soppitt

 

[Technician]

Hang on...humidifiers to combat the humidity?

De-humidifiers do that.

Do you want to increase or decrease the room

humidity i.e. atmospheric water content?

You will need to find out what the desired level

of humidity is, identify desired room temperature,

Look at a psychometric chart and find out what

water handling capacity these things should have.

 

[wsoppitt]

Hang on...humidifiers to combat the humidity?De-humidifiers do that.

Do you want to increase or decrease the room

humidity i.e. atmospheric water content?

You will need to find out what the desired level

of humidity is, identify desired room temperature,

Look at a psychometric chart and find out what

water handling capacity these things should have.

I meant de-humidifiers , the room contains lots of paper and canvases so i guess the less moisture the better , but i dont know thats why im asking the questions .

 

[ProDave]

A humidistat fan, won't remove water from the air. It will remove the air until the water content is low enough. They are intended for showers, so turn on when the shower is on creating steam, and when all the steamy air is removed, they turn off.

If there's too much moisture, then only a dehumidifier will remove it. Perhaps they need to look at where the humidity is coming from. rising damp perhaps?

You can get fixed wall hung dehumidifiers if they don't like the portable ones.

 

[Sidewinder]

Wayne,

I would be vary careful in designing a system for them unless you feel totally competent, which from your posts does not seem the case.

You really also need to think about PI insurance as you would be designing a system outside the remit of a "normal" spark and would be liable if the valuable stored items became damaged as you would be in the firing line as designer and installer of a system that did not meet the clients requirements, thus you would be wholly liable for the damages.

That could prove expensive.

I would suggest that you get in experts or get the library to spec a system for you to install.

Just my opinion FWIW.

:Salute

 

[Doc Hudson]

A m=humidistat fan, won't remove water from the air. It will remove the air until the water content is low enough. They are intended for showers, so turn on when the shower is on creating steam, and when all the steamy air is removed, they turn off.

Also common in domestic utility rooms with tumble driers and washing machines creating added steam.

Wayne,I would be vary careful in designing a system for them unless you feel totally competent, which from your posts does not seem the case.

You really also need to think about PI insurance as you would be designing a system outside the remit of a "normal" spark and would be liable if the valuable stored items became damaged as you would be in the firing line as designer and installer of a system that did not meet the clients requirements, thus you would be wholly liable for the damages.

That could prove expensive.

I would suggest that you get in experts or get the library to spec a system for you to install.

Just my opinion FWIW.

:Salute

Agreed. far better to get and expert in humidity control to design this sort of stuff. Adding a new whole into the wall for an externally vented fan could change to whole humidity issue of the room to a different ball game. A lot of factors to consider, number of external walls, are all walls above ground level, any partially sunk into an embankment or basement. There is a very big difference between installing a piece of equipment a client has specified and agreed is appropriate compared to you suggesting something is appropriate then finding out at a later date you your wrong and in all honesty, asking on the internet will not be sufficient defence in the event of some serious damage to stored artifacts. You need some formally agreed written specification before even considering drilling any holes anywhere.

Doc H.

 

[Evans Electric]

I wouldn't touch it without taking expert advice TBH

Suggest you ask someone like the Vent-Axia Tech. rep to advise you on what products to fit . Or an Air Con company .

I presume that, like me, you're a sparks not an air con expert . Take advice .

 

[stephenh]

WS - I think you need a very accurate specification of works from the Council. There appears to be quite a lot to this :

"British Standard 5454 'Recommendations for the storage and exhibition of archival documents' (see also SCAM Code of Practice on Archives for Museums and Galleries in the UK ). As a guide, paper and parchment items may be stored at about 15oC and 55% relative humidity, which will feel cool to most people. This will restrict mould growth and limit the speed of any chemical processes occurring within the paper. There should be good air circulation and the use of a cool fan can help in areas of high density shelving. Solar heat gain can be reduced through the use of blinds at windows." etc. etc.

There is lots on the internet - if the council's archivist does not know where to turn for advice tell him to try the National Archive at Kew, London - they are always helpful.

Good luck

 

[NozSpark]

TBH I would think that this kind of thing is even outside the remit of an aircon company, this is very specialised work.

I'd be looking for advice from museum, art gallery or library curators as I'm sure that you there will be optimum temperature, humidity and lighting levels for a room storing materials such as these.

 

[Technician]

Contact the National Trust, British Library, Library of Congress.

I have seen de-humidifier systems where water evaporates

in hours and it is impossible to work in them. Archives and

paper would turn to dust within them.

 

[Manator]

I install highly specialised electrical installations, but I am not a master of all trades and would always consult professionals when a problem like this arises.