Maintaining appropriate preservation environments – those that can manage risks of chemical and mechanical degradation, while protecting against mold and corrosion – often requires the use of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, or HVAC. This session will discuss strategies for collections and institutional staff working with engineering/contractor partners during HVAC design, installation, and renovation processes, with the ultimate goal being an active, integrated decision-making approach that best combines the expertise of both collections and mechanical professionals.

Specifically, we’ll go through:

How to set design parameters and system specifications that match preservation needs;
The perspectives of both collections and mechanical professionals, and how to combine the experience of each;
Critical communication points during the design/installation/renovation process that help avoid miscommunication;
Tools and resources to use throughout the process.

Though many of the strategies can be used by institutions of all sizes, the discussion will include notes on where, and how, experiences may vary based on the size of the organization and/or the engineering/contractor partner.

Discussion will include an introduction to updates in the 2019 American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Handbook – Applications, Chapter 24: Museums, Galleries, Archives, and Libraries.

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The statements and opinions expressed by panelists, hosts, attendees, or other participants of this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of, nor are endorsed by, the American Alliance of Museums.