What is BS EN 15758 - Conservation of cultural property - Measuring the temperature about?
BS EN 15758 is one of the series of European Standards intended for use in the study of environments of cultural property.
BS EN 15758 recommends the procedures for measuring the temperature of the air and of the surfaces of cultural property in indoor and outdoor environments, as well as specifying the minimum characteristics of instruments for such measurements.
BS EN 15758 contains recommendations for accurate measurements to ensure the safety of objects and it is addressed to any people with the responsibility of the environment, its diagnosis, the conservation or maintenance of buildings, collections, or single object.
Who is BS EN 15758 - Conservation of cultural property - Measuring the temperature for?
BS EN 15758 on conservation of cultural property - measuring the temperature is useful for:
- Architects
- Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Cultural property owner
- Cultural property conservation personnel
- Conservation organizations or businesses
- Cultural property management department
Why should you use ?
Temperature influences the activity of fungi and insects responsible for the bio-deterioration of organic materials. The temperature may affect some minerals and masonry crystallization. Temperature also has an important indirect effect: a rise in temperature causes a lowering of the relative humidity, which results in the drying of moisture-absorbing materials such as wood, paper, or leather.
BS EN 15758 recommends procedures for measuring the temperature of the air and of the surfaces of cultural properties in indoor and outdoor environments as well as specifying the minimum characteristics of the instrument for such measurements. Although standards exist for measuring the air or surface temperature in other fields like meteorology, industry, or medicine, this standard focuses on the specific requirements of cultural property.
BS EN 15758 is intended to assist in providing an acceptable environment for tangible cultural heritage. The temperature of the air and of object surfaces constitute important aspects of that environment. Temperature is one of the factors which can have a profound effect on the preservation of objects. The physical characteristics of materials change as they absorb or release heat.
BS EN 15758 provides procedures for measuring the temperature of the air and of the surfaces of cultural property, control of levels and variability of temperature contributes to a proper environment for cultural property and thereby reduces the risk of deterioration. Such control is an important preventive measure that will minimize the need for future conservation interventions.
Any measuring system which meets or exceeds the requirements of BS EN 15758 can be used. It is up to users to analyses the quality of instruments available on the market and verify whether they conform to this document.
