7.2 Preventive Conservation Measures

Preventive conservation is all about stopping damage before it starts. It's like giving your art collection a shield against time, environment, and accidents. This approach saves money and keeps artwork looking fresh for future generations.

From controlling temperature and humidity to managing light exposure and pests, preventive conservation covers all bases. It's a team effort involving everyone from conservators to facilities staff, working together to create the perfect conditions for art to thrive.

Preventive Conservation: Principles and Practices

Concept and Role in Art Preservation

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• Define preventive conservation as a proactive approach that minimizes deterioration and damage to art objects before they occur by creating optimal conditions for long-term preservation
• Address both internal factors (inherent vice) and external factors (environmental conditions, handling, storage) that impact the stability and longevity of art objects through preventive conservation measures
• Extend the lifespan of art collections, maintain their physical integrity and cultural significance, and ensure their accessibility for future generations as the primary role of preventive conservation
• Reduce the need for invasive interventions and costly restoration treatments by employing preventive conservation as a cost-effective strategy
• Collaborate among various professionals, including conservators, curators, collections managers, and facilities staff, to develop and implement comprehensive preservation plans for effective preventive conservation

Key Components and Strategies

• Focus on maintaining stable environmental conditions, such as temperature, relative humidity, and light levels, to minimize physical and chemical deterioration of art objects
• Implement proper handling, storage, and display techniques to prevent mechanical damage, dust accumulation, and exposure to pollutants
• Develop and adhere to collections care policies and procedures, including guidelines for access, handling, and documentation, to ensure consistent and appropriate treatment of art objects
• Conduct regular condition assessments and monitoring to identify and address potential risks or early signs of deterioration
• Prioritize the use of archival-quality materials, such as acid-free paper, inert plastics, and stable pigments, in the creation, storage, and display of art objects to minimize inherent vice and promote long-term stability

Environmental Factors Affecting Art

Temperature and Humidity

• Recognize temperature fluctuations as a cause of physical stress, warping, cracking, and delamination of art objects due to the expansion and contraction of materials
• Identify high relative humidity levels as promoting factors for the growth of mold, corrosion of metals, and softening of adhesives, while low humidity can cause desiccation and embrittlement of organic materials (paper, textiles, wood)
• Control temperature and relative humidity within recommended ranges (typically 18-22°C and 45-55% RH) using HVAC systems, humidifiers/dehumidifiers, and microclimate enclosures to minimize environmental stress on art objects
• Monitor temperature and humidity levels regularly using thermohygrometers and data loggers to ensure stability and identify any fluctuations or extremes that may require intervention

Light and Atmospheric Pollutants

• Recognize light exposure, particularly ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, as a cause of fading, discoloration, and structural weakening of light-sensitive materials (textiles, works on paper, photographs)
• Implement light management strategies, such as using UV filters, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, and rotating light-sensitive objects on display, to minimize cumulative light damage
• Identify atmospheric pollutants, such as dust, dirt, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as agents that settle on surfaces, causing abrasion, staining, and chemical reactions that degrade art objects
• Maintain clean and well-ventilated environments, use air filtration systems, and employ regular dusting and vacuuming techniques to reduce the accumulation of pollutants on art objects

Vibration and Physical Forces

• Recognize vibrations from traffic, construction, or inadequate handling as sources of structural damage, particularly in fragile objects (ceramics, glass, sculptures)
• Implement vibration mitigation measures, such as using shock-absorbing mounts, padded supports, and vibration isolation platforms, to minimize physical stress on art objects during storage, transport, and display
• Train staff in proper art handling techniques, including the use of gloves, two-handed support, and appropriate lifting and moving equipment, to prevent accidental damage during routine collections care activities
• Assess and reinforce structural elements, such as shelving units, display cases, and hanging systems, to ensure stability and prevent collapse or failure that could harm art objects

Monitoring and Data Analysis in Conservation

Environmental Monitoring Devices

• Use thermohygrometers, data loggers, and light meters to measure and record temperature, relative humidity, and light levels in storage and display areas
• Place monitoring devices in strategic locations, such as near sensitive objects, in microclimates, and at different heights within a space, to capture representative data
• Ensure regular calibration and maintenance of monitoring devices to maintain accuracy and reliability of data collection
• Employ wireless sensor networks and remote monitoring systems to enable real-time data access and alerts for environmental anomalies

Data Collection and Analysis

• Collect monitoring data at regular intervals (hourly, daily, weekly) to establish baseline conditions, identify fluctuations or extremes, and assess the effectiveness of environmental control systems
• Interpret monitoring results, identify trends or patterns, and compare readings to established standards or guidelines for collections care (e.g., American Institute for Conservation, International Council of Museums)
• Use data analysis tools, such as spreadsheets, graphs, and statistical software, to visualize and interpret environmental data over time
• Document and report monitoring data and analysis findings to inform decision-making processes and communicate the state of the collection environment to stakeholders

Applications in Preventive Conservation

• Adjust HVAC settings, such as temperature setpoints, humidity levels, and air exchange rates, based on monitoring data to optimize environmental conditions for art collections
• Implement microclimate enclosures, such as display cases or storage cabinets with buffering materials, to create stable environments for sensitive objects within larger spaces
• Rotate light-sensitive objects on display based on cumulative light exposure data to minimize the risk of fading and deterioration
• Identify and prioritize areas for improvement, such as upgrading environmental control systems, sealing building envelopes, or relocating collections to more suitable spaces, based on monitoring data analysis
• Integrate environmental monitoring data with other collections management information, such as object condition reports and treatment histories, to inform comprehensive preservation strategies

Mitigating Risks to Art Collections

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Implement integrated pest management (IPM) as a proactive approach that combines monitoring, prevention, and treatment methods to minimize pest-related damage to art collections
• Conduct regular inspections of collections areas, including storage, display, and transit zones, to identify signs of pest activity (droppings, cast skins, damage to objects)
• Maintain clean and uncluttered environments, seal entry points (doors, windows, cracks), and use pest traps (sticky traps, pheromone traps) to prevent and detect pest infestations
• Quarantine new acquisitions, incoming loans, and objects returning from exhibition or treatment to prevent the introduction of pests into the main collection
• Employ targeted treatments, such as anoxic environments (low-oxygen) or localized freezing, rather than broad-spectrum pesticides, to eradicate pest infestations while minimizing risks to art objects and human health

Disaster Preparedness Planning

• Develop a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan that identifies potential risks (floods, fires, earthquakes) and outlines strategies to prevent, mitigate, and respond to emergencies
• Conduct risk assessments to evaluate the likelihood and potential impact of various disaster scenarios on the art collection, building, and staff
• Create priority lists for evacuation and salvage based on the significance, vulnerability, and location of art objects to guide decision-making during emergencies
• Assemble and maintain emergency supply kits containing essential materials (gloves, masks, flashlights, documentation forms) and equipment (fans, dehumidifiers, generators) for initial response and salvage efforts
• Establish partnerships with local emergency responders, conservation networks, and disaster recovery vendors to access specialized expertise and resources during emergencies
• Train staff in emergency response procedures, including evacuation, salvage techniques, and documentation, and conduct regular drills to maintain preparedness and identify areas for improvement
• Update and review the disaster preparedness plan annually to incorporate changes in the collection, building, or staff and to ensure that contact information and resource lists remain current