I also agree that you aren't being overly cautious.  Why are you being
encouraged to carpet your floor and who's doing the encouraging?  Is it an
aesthetic move?  I also agree with Tim's reply that concrete floors are easy
to clean up and less likely to hide pests.  However, concrete floors wreak
havoc on the legs and feet of any poor employee who is forced to stand on
them for more than an hour or so.  There are padded mats that can be
purchased from industrial supply houses and probably even local hardware
stores designed specifically for this problem.  Using these might enable you
to avoid the carpet indentation problems you were discussing.  Of course you
might have a problem if you try to run the table over the edge of the
mat...and if you want to get really nit picky....there are the possible
off-gassing problems....but I like these mats for work areas (not
necessarily storage areas) because they really help relieve some of the
stress of standing for long periods.

Deb Arenz
Curator/Manager of Collections
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer



>From: Tim McShane <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: carpeting in artifact work area
>Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 20:14:39 -0600
>
>I would suggest that you have a valid reason for not wanting your work area
>carpeted, but then, I've also been accused of being overly-cautious (but
>then, I haven't broken anything yet either, knock wood).  I would suggest
>another reason to not carpet is pest control; carpets are great hiding
>places for bugs, and depending on the fibre, may even be a food source for
>them.  I find it's easier to spot potential insect activity on concrete,
>and
>I also find that concrete is easier to clean (just sweep up---no moisture
>or
>chemicals needed).  One negative comment I've heard about concrete floors
>is
>that they can contribute to dust levels in a collections area, but that
>this
>can be countered with a coat of non-toxic sealing paint.  Would a coat of
>paint satisfy those who are "encouraging" you to carpet?
>
>Tim McShane, Collections Manager
>West Parry Sound District Museum
>
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