Resilience Treatments & Strategies
Paper Records, Photographs and AV Media
Description
Any archival material that may be significant to the history or culture of your property and your organization. They should be located in a climate-controlled part of your building that is not at risk of flooding (e.g., an upper story). If possible, they should be contained in metal furniture (such as filing cabinets), which contains no lignin, to avoid acidification, pest infestation, and light damage. These records should be inventoried or cataloged.
Typical Damages from Floods or Hurricanes
- Documents or photographs become soaked from floodwater, leaking roof, sprinklers, or ruptured pipes
Other common conditions contributing to vulnerability towards floods or hurricanes
- Lack of emergency, disaster response, or salvage plan
- Collection not inventoried or cataloged
- Environmental controls not being monitored or lack of climate control (HVAC system)
- Material stored in unstable furniture (e.g., non-archival boxes, wood storage)
- Water-based fire suppression systems installed in libraries or areas with high concentration of fragile paper artifacts or A/V media
Resilience Treatments and Strategies
The THC offers resources and provides links for more information on salvage and recovery of cultural artifacts [https://www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and-programs/museum-assistance/additional-resources]
In-house
- Inventory collections and develop an emergency plan for the collections, which should include how to safely handle artifacts, prioritization for salvage, and salvage procedures (including the following RTSs).
- If paper records or photograph prints become soaked, remove documents/artifacts from water as soon as possible (and safe to do so—if area is contaminated with sewage or other hazardous materials, contact a professional recovery service immediately). Mold growth can occur in 48 hours and cause irreparable damage. Prioritize paper media over film media. After removing documents/artifacts from water, air dry each object individually if possible (can lay on absorbent materials, hang dry, etc.).
- If it is not possible to air dry wet media, freeze as much material if possible (except for rare types of photographs made with very early processes—these require immediate conservator attention), interleaving as much material with polyester or waxed paper as possible. After salvaging, consult a conservator as soon as possible.
- A/V or computer media on tape should be kept in water (for up to two days) until a conservator or professional recovery company can evaluate them. Do not freeze.
- A/V media on CDs or DVDs can be rinsed if dirty and air dried. Do not freeze.
- Monitor environmental controls (temperature and relative humidity) to ensure material is optimally stored
Professional needed [type]
Waterlogged collections that have been stabilized (air dried or frozen) that have been damaged (e.g., staining) can be restored [conservator].
Consult a conservator as soon as possible for documents/artifacts that have suspected mold growth (especially if in large quantities) for evaluation and recommended treatment [conservator]. If mold is suspected on just a few items, they can be carefully isolated away from other collections or occupied spaces until a conservator can evaluate them.
A/V material on silver nitrate media is highly flammable and must be carefully handled and safely stored in special containers [conservator].
Install an HVAC system (see Building Services section above) [architect and engineer]
- Modify water-based fire suppression system to a low-flow mist system or change/newly install a non-water-based system (e.g., gaseous agent) [architect and engineer]
Paper Records, Photographs and AV Media
Description
Any archival material that may be significant to the history or culture of your property and your organization. They should be located in a climate-controlled part of your building that is not at risk of flooding (e.g., an upper story). If possible, they should be contained in metal furniture (such as filing cabinets), which contains no lignin, to avoid acidification, pest infestation, and light damage. These records should be inventoried or cataloged.
Typical Damages from Floods or Hurricanes
- Documents or photographs become soaked from floodwater, leaking roof, sprinklers, or ruptured pipes
Other common conditions contributing to vulnerability towards floods or hurricanes
- Lack of emergency, disaster response, or salvage plan
- Collection not inventoried or cataloged
- Environmental controls not being monitored or lack of climate control (HVAC system)
- Material stored in unstable furniture (e.g., non-archival boxes, wood storage)
- Water-based fire suppression systems installed in libraries or areas with high concentration of fragile paper artifacts or A/V media
Resilience Treatments and Strategies
The THC offers resources and provides links for more information on salvage and recovery of cultural artifacts [https://www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and-programs/museum-assistance/additional-resources]
In-house
- Inventory collections and develop an emergency plan for the collections, which should include how to safely handle artifacts, prioritization for salvage, and salvage procedures (including the following RTSs).
- If paper records or photograph prints become soaked, remove documents/artifacts from water as soon as possible (and safe to do so—if area is contaminated with sewage or other hazardous materials, contact a professional recovery service immediately). Mold growth can occur in 48 hours and cause irreparable damage. Prioritize paper media over film media. After removing documents/artifacts from water, air dry each object individually if possible (can lay on absorbent materials, hang dry, etc.).
- If it is not possible to air dry wet media, freeze as much material if possible (except for rare types of photographs made with very early processes—these require immediate conservator attention), interleaving as much material with polyester or waxed paper as possible. After salvaging, consult a conservator as soon as possible.
- A/V or computer media on tape should be kept in water (for up to two days) until a conservator or professional recovery company can evaluate them. Do not freeze.
- A/V media on CDs or DVDs can be rinsed if dirty and air dried. Do not freeze.
- Monitor environmental controls (temperature and relative humidity) to ensure material is optimally stored
Professional needed [type]
Waterlogged collections that have been stabilized (air dried or frozen) that have been damaged (e.g., staining) can be restored [conservator].
Consult a conservator as soon as possible for documents/artifacts that have suspected mold growth (especially if in large quantities) for evaluation and recommended treatment [conservator]. If mold is suspected on just a few items, they can be carefully isolated away from other collections or occupied spaces until a conservator can evaluate them.
A/V material on silver nitrate media is highly flammable and must be carefully handled and safely stored in special containers [conservator].
Install an HVAC system (see Building Services section above) [architect and engineer]
- Modify water-based fire suppression system to a low-flow mist system or change/newly install a non-water-based system (e.g., gaseous agent) [architect and engineer]