Setting up a dust collector in your factory comprises the desire to keep workers, equipment, and the working areas safe from dust. This installation, however, often undergoes a grudge purchase scenario. The initial thought may be to choose the cheapest dust collector. But, you need to keep in mind that
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must be allowed to play their important role in helping essential services deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the UK’s F Gas register REFCOM. It refuted rumours that air conditioning and ventilation could help to spread the virus adding that these were
BLE Lighting & Power Ltd helped to make history by providing Emergency Lighting Power Solutions for the brand new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre located at the Royal United Hospitals site in Bath. Originally opened as Bath General Infirmary in 1738 as a free hospital for the poor, the historic
When attending a leisure centre or gym, a customer expects to sweat a little depending on the class they’re attending! It’s especially important then for such venues to have a suitable air conditioning unit and HVAC system in place, in order to prevent overheating or too-cold conditions. In this article,
Heat recovery systems, sometimes called Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems, are an alternative to traditional central heating units that rely on a water boiler and radiators. They use a system of ventilation ducts to draw stale and moist air out of a home or office and replace it
A pioneering project to install lifesaving sprinklers and ground source heat to 364 flats in Sunderland has launched, involving what is thought to be the largest gas replacement in high rise tower blocks in the UK. The project, named ‘Core 364’, is being delivered by Sunderland-based housing association, Gentoo, with
Warehouses can be a common target for criminals – if they are not properly secured, they represent an opportunity for someone to get in and steal stock, equipment, or even sensitive data such as financial information. Thankfully, however, with warehouse security there are many small changes that you can make
A ground breaking wall safe for university accommodation has been launched by Vecta Safes. The only wall-mounted safe designed for student rooms, the compact Vecta Personal Safe is ideal for use where space is at a premium. It offers space-saving, secure storage for keys, ID and valuables, and can be
Your home is your sanctuary. Not only is it the place where you spend most of your time, but it’s also where you keep all of your belongings and house the most valuable thing in your life – your family. As such, it’s vitally important that your home is both
It’s a very strange and humbling understanding, that the item in the museum’s glass case in front of you is so many times older than you are! That the person who made it might not have thought much beyond its primary use, much less that it would be a lasting
Setting up a dust collector in your factory comprises the desire to keep workers, equipment, and the working areas safe from dust. This installation, however, often undergoes a grudge purchase scenario. The initial thought may be to choose the cheapest dust collector. But, you need to keep in mind that a dust collector’s key purpose is to keep the working environment safe, so corners should not be cut. According to Baghouse America, a leader in the environmental industry for developing, licensing, and deploying air filtration systems, the cost of the unit and accessories should not interfere with the safety dust collectors are intended to produce. That said, the following tips will help make your dust collector the safest out there, ensuring the job is done effectively. Even the best dust collector systems need to be well maintained so that they will last longer and serve their purpose better, Read on to know more on how to maintain your dust collector system and to make sure that everyone is safe around it. Equip With Deflagration Protection Does your dust collector handle combustible dust? If so, consider equipping it with proper deflagration protection. There are several different forms of passive deflagration/explosion protection out there. However, explosion vents tend to be the most common and cost-efficient method. Typically, an explosion vent opens once a specific amount of pressure builds up within the collector, allowing the flame front and excess pressure to exit to a secure area. Explosion vents are built to prevent your dust collector from blowing up during a deflagration, thereby diminishing the hazard. Also, they help minimize damage to the dust collector itself. The Protection for the Ductwork The National Association for Fire Protection (NFPA) overlooks ductwork protection and the dust collector’s upstream safety procedures. The ducting must be equipped with a valve comprising flow-activated isolation that preserves the downstream workspaces and operations from that of the spreading of pressure and flames via the inlet duct as deflagration occurs in the dust collector. After that, the pressure wave will close the valve through the deflagration of the dust collector, preventing the spread of smoke and flames to parts upstream of the valve. Note that the valve is closed and should be opened manually. Once enabled, the valve parts could be compromised and a comprehensive inspection is needed before it is returned back to regular service. Do Not Use the Hoppers to Collect Dust This is a common mistake people make, especially those new in manufacturing. You shouldn’t use hoppers to store dust. Keep in mind that the hopper’s key purpose is to funnel processed dust toward the storage bins. As it so happens, the dust that’s about to fill up the hopper will most likely create some potential deflagration or fire risks. Another important factor to note is that the dust in the hopper may further decrease the dust collector’s performance via blocking the system and pulse-cleaning from performing the task it was designed to. Self-dumping hoppers are an easy dust disposal system while still protecting against dust leaks among the hoppers and the collector. Prevent fire Some applications are able to generate a spark and can cause fires. This must be taken care of quickly and effectively. The market offers plenty of technologies and features to choose from. For example, there are flame-retardant filter media and spark arrestors in the form of drop-out boxes, cyclone devices mounted at the collectors’ inlets, perforated screens, etc. Even fire sprinkler installations require some implementations. You can also install cartridges vertically mounted to help limit fire and deflagration by reducing the heavier loads of dust on the attached filters. Inversely, particularly with mounted systems arranged horizontally, the dust may get trapped at the filters. In situations like these, the filter life may be shortened, thereby allowing for the dirty surface to spark/ignite and raise the working pressure drop of the filter elements. Create a Maintenance Program Industrial dust collectors have enabled businesses to efficiently capture airborne particles that help provide a clean and healthy work environment. To make sure an industrial dust collector is working as it should be, periodic inspections in conjunction with a maintenance program will come in handy in terms of keeping the dust collector functioning properly, at a higher level. Scheduled inspections on an annual, semi-annual, monthly, weekly or even daily level will keep your industrial dust collector working effectively and keep the maintenance expenses down. Remember, failing to regularly check and maintain your dust collector will hurt its performance. Continued neglect may lead to your dust collector not following EPA outlet emissions standards. Incorporate Safety Accessories Image source Major concerns like what type of dust collector you should use and how to maintain it must take precedence, but when you’ve actually addressed such concerns, there are several other ways to make your dust collector safer. Safety accessories can be an excellent way to do this. Turns out they are not simply a great idea— in some situations, safety accessories are an absolute must to ensure the workers’ safety.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must be allowed to play their important role in helping essential services deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the UK’s F Gas register REFCOM. It refuted rumours that air conditioning and ventilation could help to spread the virus adding that these were completely unfounded and not backed up by any scientific evidence. Speaking on a webinar hosted by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Head of REFCOM Graeme Fox, said cooling and ventilation systems were not the problem, but rather they were part of the solution. For example, by switching air handling units to full fresh air mode and temporarily disabling recirculation with heat recovery, facilities managers could ensure contaminated air was not recirculated in occupied spaces. “Health is more important than energy efficiency right now,” said Mr Fox. “It is also important to keep up air change rates – even in partially occupied buildings – to minimise the risk of moisture, which could contain the virus, settling on internal surfaces.” Public Health England stated that transmission of the virus is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and sneezing, and through contact with contaminated surfaces. It has not recommended any special cleaning measures for ventilation and cooling systems. Mr Fox said scaremongering was unhelpful to those trying to understand the threat. Crucial “The truth is that HVAC systems perform a crucial role in keeping essential services like hospitals, supermarkets, care homes and schools operating – this is going to be more important than ever over the coming weeks and months,” he said. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is also urging the industry to keep up its vital work for the NHS, food suppliers and other essential services. During another BESA webinar last week, an official from BEIS confirmed that building maintenance should continue as normal, subject to compliance with Public Health England guidance, the government’s social distancing policy and the site operating guidance published by the Construction Leadership Council. “Building maintenance is helping to save lives,” he said. “People who fix crucial safety issues in buildings…must be able to keep working. They are carrying out important work”. REFCOM’s position is also supported by guidance from REHVA, the European Federation of HVAC associations, which said humidification, air conditioning and duct cleaning had no practical effect on the transmission of the coronavirus. It said Covid-19, unlike some other viruses, is largely resistant to environmental changes and is susceptible only to high relative humidities above 80% and temperatures above 30degC. It is recommending that heating and cooling systems are operated normally to ensure buildings can continue to support critical activities and maintain the health and wellbeing of occupants. www.refcom.org.uk ENGINEERS ON THE FRONTLINE Josh Emerson from Swegon shared pictures with BESA of two of the firm’s service technicians attending a critical breakdown at an NHS hospital. “I know there has been plenty of negative political and social media messaging with regards to the construction industry,” said Mr Emerson. “I am sharing a few pictures that show building services in a positive light. The industry is on the frontline, facing Covid-19, and going to great lengths to keep our hospitals operational to support the NHS.” PIC Caption: Two service engineers from Swegon attending a critical breakdown at an NHS hospital.
BLE Lighting & Power Ltd helped to make history by providing Emergency Lighting Power Solutions for the brand new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre located at the Royal United Hospitals site in Bath. Originally opened as Bath General Infirmary in 1738 as a free hospital for the poor, the historic building was closed and services gradually moved over to the new facility which, became fully operational in early September 2019. Former patron of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases; HRH The Duchess of Cornwall officially opened the centre on 22 October 2019. She was given a guided tour of the £20m building and introduced to local entrepreneurs Andrew and Christina Brownsword, whose £1m Match Funding Challenge enabled the hospital charity to raise £2m towards the overall cost of the new Centre. Over the years the hospital developed a reputation as a national leader of rheumatology therapies and chronic pain services. They now continue their service with the benefit of a purpose-built facility allowing them to utilise modern amenities including a large hydrotherapy pool, group rooms, a specialist gym, rehabilitation equipment, and a biologics treatment space. The 3-story building utilises a wireless DALI lighting system throughout and BLE’s inverters were requested, in the initial project plan, to provide power to the emergency lighting in the event of a failure, allowing patients, visitors and staff to exit safely should they need to. The key challenge was ensuring BLE’s inverters worked effectively with a non-BLE Lighting system. Other lighting companies may refuse to supply emergency lighting power without also having supplied the emergency lighting fixtures. This is where BLE stands out; its emergency lighting solutions are always offered with the customers specific requirements at the core. BLE took a front facing role working with the consultant to make sure the inverters would cooperate with the pre-identified lighting and DALI system. Although the product had been requested within the initial project, BLE’s partners were unsure of the specifics regarding what power was required and needed assistance. Contained power was not an option because too much lighting power was required. BLE therefore recommended two of its 400W inverters and one 200W inverter which fit the purpose completely. Additionally, the company remained on hand to provide assistance regarding the requirements for emergency lighting legislation and what the facility needed to do to in order to be compliant and ensure the safety of its occupants and the smooth opening and operation of the new facility.
When attending a leisure centre or gym, a customer expects to sweat a little depending on the class they’re attending! It’s especially important then for such venues to have a suitable air conditioning unit and HVAC system in place, in order to prevent overheating or too-cold conditions. In this article, we’re exploring the importance of maintaining a comfortable temperature within a sports centre, as well as what temperatures are considered to be the optimum target to achieve this. Responsibility and duty Technically, there are no regulations regarding specific temperatures within a gym or leisure centre, according to Health and Safety Executive. But normal health and safety legislation covers the vast majority of other safety requirements at the gym. In terms of temperature, although there are no fixed regulations specifically for gyms and leisure centres, we can use minimum workplace temperature requirements as an estimate of what constitutes a comfortable temperature during activity. As stated by the Approved Code of Practice, 16°C is considered to be the base level for a comfortable temperature within a workplace. Work requiring “rigorous physical effort” is placed a little lower, at 13°C. Again, this isn’t a legal requirement, but it gives an idea of what an optimum temperature is for comfortably engaging in physical activity. Sport England published a handy guide for exercise spaces and fitness centres, outlining the ideal temperature for clients: Fitness Gym – 16°C to 18°C (60°F to 64°F) in the summer, with “comfort cooling” as needed. Studios – 18°C (64°F), with a slight summer rise acceptable. High temperatures at the gym When a gym is too hot, working out becomes a torturous experience. Plus, it’s a risky activity; dehydration and heat stroke are notable risks of working out in an overheated gym. But even just sweating too much can be a problem. We Be Fit notes that while over-sweating can cause gym-goers to notice an extra pound of weight loss at the end of their workout, the weight lost is fluids from sweating and will be negated with a drink. The article suggests that working out in an overheated gym for a long period can result in a 50% less effective workout! All that sweating for nothing. Low temperatures at the gym It’s less common to encounter a very cold gym, but when it does happen, it can be just as difficult to work out in as a too-warm space. My Inner Go looked at the pros and cons of working out in a cold environment and found that chilly temperatures brought with it a higher risk of injury. This is because muscles tend to seize up in the cold (which is why warming up before physical activity is so important). The website offered a great analogy for cold muscles: consider them like Play-Doh! When Play-Doh gets cold, it goes stiff and doesn’t stretch, it just snaps. But warm Play-Doh is stretchy and flexible. Regulating temperature It’s important for sports centres to keep their different rooms and classes in mind when regulating the temperature. Investing in an efficient, responsive air conditioning system will help regulate a comfortable temperature within the building, with units in Daikin’s air conditioning range offering low energy consumption models to fit your carbon emission targets. A comfortable environment is critical to a successful workout. Keeping a good temperature through a facility will ensure customers stay happy and are more likely to keep coming back. If the gym starts to get a reputation for being freezing cold or too stuffy, gym goers will quickly turn to other establishments. Sources:
Heat recovery systems, sometimes called Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems, are an alternative to traditional central heating units that rely on a water boiler and radiators. They use a system of ventilation ducts to draw stale and moist air out of a home or office and replace it with fresh, dry air. While doing this they recover the heat from the stale air using a heat exchanger and uses the excess heat that would normally be lost to warm the fresh air drawn from the outside. These systems have become incredibly popular with home builders and renovators as they are an environmentally friendly and economically sound way to heat a space without relying on expensive and polluting fuels like natural gas. How Do Heat Recovery Systems Work? Heat recovery systems have a central ventilation unit that is usually located in the attic or roof space of a home or office, or in the plant room of a larger space such as a factory or hotel. The heat recovery system has separate ducts for expelling stale and moist air out of the building and drawing in fresh air from the outside. The heat from the air is recovered from the old air before it is expelled and transferred to the fresh, incoming air by using a heat exchanger built into the ventilation unit. The incoming and outgoing flows of air never mix, only the heat from one is transferred to the other, preventing particulates, dust and scents contaminating the fresh air from outside. This can be a very economical and environmentally conscious way to heat homes and offices. What are the Benefits of a Heat Recovery System? Heat recovery systems are great at saving money, and the planet, by using less energy and running off mains electricity rather than natural gas. They can retain up to 95% of the heat in a home, while also providing fresh, clean, filtered air. This can reduce the need for extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, as the air in your home is constantly circulated and refreshed by the heat recovery system. The fresh air is not only heated, but also filtered. This means it is free of many of the harmful particulates that can affect asthma sufferers and people with respiratory problems. Are They Complicated to Install? The installation and operation of heat recovery systems is actually very simple and quick to perform, and often less intrusive and disruptive than installing a traditional home heating system. Though a 21st century technology, there are many companies that have a lot of experience in designing and installing heat recovery systems for homes and offices. At BPCventilation.com there is a comprehensive consultancy service that can help any homebuilder, owner, or renovator tailor a heat recovery system to suit their space and can install it for them. More and more homes and businesses are having heat recovery systems installed to replace aging water boilers that are expensive to run and maintain. Heat recovery systems are a much more economical way to warm a space, and the money saved helps the systems pay for themselves very quickly.
A pioneering project to install lifesaving sprinklers and ground source heat to 364 flats in Sunderland has launched, involving what is thought to be the largest gas replacement in high rise tower blocks in the UK. The project, named ‘Core 364’, is being delivered by Sunderland-based housing association, Gentoo, with its energy and regeneration partner, ENGIE, as part of a £9million investment in the tower blocks. Residents in Gentoo’s seven blocks are set to benefit from significant energy bill savings as a result of uniquely heating both their home and water with renewable heat from the Earth’s core. The move, which aims to maximise the fire safety of these seven tower blocks, will also see upgrades to the fire alarm and smoke detection systems in each of the blocks, as well as the installation of a state of the art sprinkler system. ENGIE will manage all aspects of this project, working in partnership with contractor Kensa Heat Pumps Contracting, to install the new low carbon, high efficiency and cost-effective Ground Source Heat Pump system. Andrew McIntosh, Regional Managing Director at ENGIE, said: “We have a great partnership with Gentoo and are delighted to help bring this innovative and energy efficient solution to all residents involved in this project. Our expertise in wide scale regeneration and energy projects will ensure this project is delivered effectively, providing North Tower residents with a modern heating system and enhanced fire safety features.” Gentoo’s Chief Executive Officer, Nigel Wilson, said: “Gentoo is committed to providing safe and affordable housing for its tenants and I’m delighted to welcome the start of this important work, delivering real savings for our tenants and generating renewable heat for their homes.”
Warehouses can be a common target for criminals – if they are not properly secured, they represent an opportunity for someone to get in and steal stock, equipment, or even sensitive data such as financial information. Thankfully, however, with warehouse security there are many small changes that you can make that will constitute a huge difference. With a secure warehouse staff will feel safer, and you can have the peace of mind that your property has many deterrents against crime. Here we take a look at eight changes you can make to improve security at your warehouse. Install CCTV There is no doubt that CCTV is one of the most effective security measures for warehouses. Not only does having CCTV cameras ensure that you have a visual record of what happens in and around your premises in the event of a crime taking place. It also acts as a brilliant visual deterrent against vandalism, theft, and antisocial behaviour. Make sure that when you have your CCTV installed you also put up plenty of signs, alerting people to their presence. Use out-of-hours security patrols Of course, it is often the case that warehouses are most at risk when there are no staff on duty. This provides the opportunity for criminals to observe the property without being noticed by anyone, and means they can gain access to premises unopposed. This is why it can be a great idea to work with an external security provider to have out-of-hours security patrols. Add motion detecting lights Motion sensing lights might not sound like much of a boost to your warehouse security, but you might be surprised at the difference that they can make. Often it is more than enough for criminals skulking around your property to see a light come on – it stops them from being able to work in the dark. Additionally, these motion detectors can provide alerts to security personnel so that they can investigate the situation. Get security feedback from your team Perhaps one of the most important things that every warehouse owner could do to improve security is to get feedback from the people who are working there all day. It is your staff who will understand best the security challenges that the organisation faces, and areas of risk and vulnerability. It is a great idea to regularly speak to staff or even give them the opportunity to submit written ideas on what could be done to improve security at your warehouse. Limit access with fencing Sometimes it is the obvious things that make a difference to security. Fencing is visually striking and shows any member of the public where they are permitted to go and where they are not. This is another example of a security that acts a simple deterrent in the fact that it tells any potential criminal that your warehouse takes its security seriously. Fencing can be installed at obvious parts of your property to make it appear inaccessible to individuals. Introduce RFID-enabled ID badges Many warehouses utilise RFID (radio frequency identification) in order to track goods and items – and just as RFID can be used to track stock as it moves through your ware house, it can also be used to track staff. This can be a very effective way to maintain security at all times, as well as preventing theft and ensuring best practice. IDs also help you to understand if someone is in a part of the building that they shouldn’t be. Promote cyber security Remember that security is not just a physical matter. It is also important for your business to be secure from a cyber perspective. This means taking care of passwords, and providing staff with training on how to be secure when using internet-enabled devices in your warehouse. Hire a security specialist Of course, if you have specific concerns over security of you have experience a number of incidents, then it can actually be best to work with an external security specialist. They will be able to recommend a customised security operation that is suited to the exact needs of your business. This can be the way to ensure that your business premises are as secure as possible.
A ground breaking wall safe for university accommodation has been launched by Vecta Safes. The only wall-mounted safe designed for student rooms, the compact Vecta Personal Safe is ideal for use where space is at a premium. It offers space-saving, secure storage for keys, ID and valuables, and can be conveniently installed at eye level, taking up zero floor space. Offering peace of mind for students and vacation-time guests alike, this award-winning safe is British designed and is the only safe in its class to have UK Police Secured by Design accreditation. It has also successfully undergone Sold Secure testing by the Master Locksmith Association. Its slim profile means it can be unobtrusively installed on any wall, for instance above a desk or behind a door. It has no sharp edges and clean modern looks that blend with most décor. Made to be user-friendly as well as secure, this easy-to-use safe opens with a 4-digit, customisable user code and closes with a one-touch locking mechanism. An electronic master code and override keys ensure that the safe can be accessed by an administrator in the event of a lockout. Requiring no electrical installation, an LCD display indicates when batteries need replacing. Compact but large enough to hold critical valuables such as keys, cash, ID, flash drives and jewellery, both students and vacation-time guests alike can benefit from the convenient security offered by the Vecta Personal Safe. The Vecta Personal Safe is priced at £107.50 plus VAT. For more information contact sales@vectasafes.co.uk Background information The Vecta Personal Safe was conceived and designed by John Fearnall and Simon Fildes from their offices in Chester. John is a British entrepreneur with decades of experience in designing security products supplied to police forces and community safety initiatives within the UK. Working together with Simon, a marketing specialist, they have travelled the world using hotel safes on a daily basis. Their invention, the Vecta Personal Safe, is designed to provide a convenient, secure safe for students and university accommodation guests, which can be easily sited at eye level. The Vecta Personal Safe features include: Compact design that can be conveniently wall mounted Clean, designer looks to blend in with student room décor Eye-level fitting for convenience and ease of use Fast opening and one-touch locking Superior security to most 5-Star hotel room safes The Vecta Personal Safe, with its contemporary looks and total usability, is designed to provide the convenience and protection required to meet the security needs of university accommodation today.
Your home is your sanctuary. Not only is it the place where you spend most of your time, but it’s also where you keep all of your belongings and house the most valuable thing in your life – your family. As such, it’s vitally important that your home is both comfortable and secure, and your windows and doors play a big part in this. Not only are they the first line of defence in protecting your property (as they’re generally the first point of entry that would-be intruders target), they also allow you to regulate your interior light levels, temperature and airflow. That’s why investing in security screens in Perth is such a wise move. Once they’re installed on your doors on windows, they allow you to drastically improve the safety and comfort levels of your home. Curious to learn more about how they do this? Then make sure you read on the find out more about the 4 reasons you need to invest in security screens. A Safer & More Secure Home Break-ins and burglaries are an unfortunate reality of modern life. As we mentioned before, the first areas that burglars target when trying to gain access to your property are your windows and doors. Even secure-looking heavy wooden doors can be quite easily broken down, and glass windows are easily shattered if the person breaking in is really determined to get inside. With stainless steel mesh and strong frames, security screens can’t be cut or broken, which makes it far, far harder for would-be intruders to gain access to your home. In fact, because they’re visible from the outside, they’ll actually reduce the chances of your home being targeted in the first place (most burglars don’t want to work any harder than they have to when breaking into houses). Installing security screens means that you can always enjoy the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing that your home is as safe and sound as possible. This is especially valuable if you travel often and want to rest assured that you’ll always come back to a home that’s exactly the way you left it. Improved Ventilation & More Natural Light There’s nothing quite like throwing open the windows and doors to let in lots of gorgeous natural sunlight, especially when the weather is nice and there’s a lovely breeze blowing. It can make your home a lot more pleasant and even make it feel more spacious. However, as we mentioned before, the potential for burglaries, break-ins and home invasions often makes it unsafe to do this. That is unless you have security screens installed on your windows and doors. Once you do, you’re able to prevent your home from feeling dark, dingey and musty and let in all the fresh air and natural light you want. Lower Energy Costs The ability to freely open your windows and doors enabled by security screens isn’t just good for improving the light and airflow in your home, it can also help to lower your energy consumption (and the associated bills). This is because it enables you to more easily regulate the temperature of your home. For example, if you get home after a hot summer day, you can cool your entire house down rapidly by opening all of your doors and windows to the cool evening breeze. If you didn’t have security screens installed, then you’d most likely have to cool your home down and make it comfortable by cranking up the air conditioner and using up a lot of expensive electricity. To maximise your energy efficiency, it’s also advisable to combine your security screen installation with double glazed windows in Perth to help you reduce heat loss in the winter and lower your heating costs. Add Value To Your Home When making any decisions about your home, it’s always advisable to consider how they’ll affect its resale value. This is another reason why it makes a lot of sense to invest in security screens. The truth of the matter is that potential homebuyers make their decisions based on emotions as well as logic. If having security screens installed on your home can help to convince them that they’ll be purchasing a safe, reliable and comfortable home for them and their family, chances are they’ll actually be willing to pay more than they otherwise would. So there you have it. While they might be a little more expensive than other doors and windows, installing security screens is an extremely smart investment that can help to make your home safer, more comfortable and more valuable.
It’s a very strange and humbling understanding, that the item in the museum’s glass case in front of you is so many times older than you are! That the person who made it might not have thought much beyond its primary use, much less that it would be a lasting record of their era. That it would survive not only them and the intended original owner, but so many centuries after. It makes you wonder what will remain long after we’re gone, and realise how important it is that such items are preserved as information for the future. It is always heart-breaking to hear if a museum piece or artwork has been destroyed by natural causes or human interference. While only so much can be done to prevent the latter, museums have an abundance of technology at their disposal. According to the Smithsonian, the most damaging causes of deterioration are: Neglect — lack of process, forgotten storage, or failure to maintain records can lead to secondary deterioration causes, such as… Water — from full-scale floods to creeping damp, water can cause so many problems for artefacts. Fire — of course, fire will obliterate many artefacts, but those that survive may also be damaged by the heat and smoke. Pollutants — dirt and gas can react badly with some artefacts, hastening their decay. Chemicals in cleaning can also erode away materials. Even the oils on your hands can be harsh enough to pollute some delicate artefacts. Pests — taxidermy and natural materials can find themselves rapidly ruined by a hungry rodent or greedy bugs. Light — sunlight or artificial light can cause fading, drying, and cracking. Physical force — everything from impact to vibrations can affect artefacts. This is why museums display their pieces in cases or behind designated barriers. Of course, this isn’t always fool-proof. For example, did you know Michelangelo’s David has a delicate flaw in its ankles? A slight shift in angle, a strong vibration from a train or footfall, or a natural disaster like an earthquake would send David tumbling. Theft and vandalism — intentional damage by vandals or mishandling by thieves can obviously cause an artefact or artwork’s condition to fall. One of the more difficult to control elements of potential deterioration is a combination of humidity and temperature. These two elements are noted to be able to accelerate the rate of decay, growth of mould, or warping. Without adequate protection, the cost of artefact lost can be immeasurable, from a loss of monetary value to a loss of any physical record of that item. Take the Oxford Dodo for example, which is the most complete single dodo specimen anywhere in the world. And yet, all that has survived is the head and a foot thanks to an infestation noted in the specimen around 1755; feather mites are highlighted as the main culprit for devouring the taxidermy dodo’s torso, wings, and feathers. Preservation Equipment advises that a high humidity can encourage fungal growth and pests in natural materials; could better temperature and humidity controls have saved more of the last dodo specimen? Humidity and temperature can not only encourage pests, but also bring a whole host of other problems. The Telegraph reported how, when the glass roof of the Natural History Museum was cleaned of around 150 years’ worth of dirt, it was quickly discovered that the gathered dirt and the decision to remove the solar reflective film from the glass had had unintended side effects. The result? Temperatures in the museum soared to 40°C and the humidity tumbled, and the artefacts and specimens have already suffered irreversible damage, the article states. The skin of specimens has cracked and dried, fading as they have been sun-bleached, and whale skeletons are also degrading as a result. The museum is not only looking into replacing the solar reflective film, but also at installing a new HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system to try and save the artefacts. The problem of correct temperature and humidity control stretches beyond the UK. Over in Denmark, the country faces losing many historical artefacts due to a rise in damp and mould growing in its museum storage areas, which are reported to lack air conditioning units. CPH Post commented that the museums are using old buildings such as barns or lofts to store the artefacts, which means they aren’t being protected by any level of temperature control. More than 70,000 items are at risk of being destroyed as a result of 118 buildings used for storage being marked as riddled with mould. For both stored and displayed artefacts, it is vital that temperature and humidity are monitored closely. The optimum temperature is between 16°C and 20°C — though temperatures as low as 10°C probably won’t cause harm, the risk of condensation grows for anything below 10°C. In terms of humidity, the advised relative humidity is between 40% and 70%, to avoid drying out items or encouraging pest or fungal infestations. It has also been noted that rapid fluctuation in humidity can be problematic. A good HVAC system is invaluable for both museum and home collectors with artefacts to preserve. With this, temperatures and humidity can be monitored and controlled quickly, providing much-needed protection from the elements when it comes to artefacts and artwork. Sources: