I would offer a couple of ideas in relation to this.
First, if you have staff conservators involve them in any discussions
concerning HVAC systems and their installation and operation -
preferably in the planning stage in concert with the engineers. This
is the sort of techy thing that conservators love and we have an
extensive network of colleagues around the country whose experiences
we can draw on. We always assume that if something will go wrong it
will, and try to incorporate that into building design. Even in
replacing an old unit in situ having a knowledable staff conservator
or consultant can aid immensely in anticipating any problems - from
recomending set point and seasonal ramping of RH to recomending
containmet and drain system to handle potential leaks. If your
conservators are not working with your engineers and maintenance staff
them get them involved. We, along with curators and collections staff,
are almost always knee deep when disasters strike, so preventing them
is something that is always close to our hearts.
Second, look at your contracting process. Try to build in performance
standards into your contracts. Any claims made by a company
representative should be backed up in writing - ALWAYS get list of
references and ask for a breakdown of repair issues on their units. If
offered an extended warranty, take it.
Third, it is always easier to fund the hardware but not the extra
operating cost (power, etc.) or maintenance. These should be
researched and discussed with your administrator during the planning
process before things are purchased and installed. We actually did
this and found endowment funds to cover it for the creation of an
educational campus at Colonial Williamsburg that incorporated a
central plant for library, collections and conservation, and research
and audio visual buildings. Now, that was a huge scale project but
there is no reason that museums, archives, and historic sites
shouldn't incorporate extra operating and maintenance costs into the
development and planning process.
Cheers!
Dave
David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California
On 2/27/06, Gail Anderson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> We have had a Liebert Challenger 3000 as the main air-handler in
> collections storage for over 10 years and outside of normal maintenance
> have found it to work fine maintaining both temperature and humidity.
> Maintenance is important. The only trouble we had was because it
> wasn't performed.
>
> Gail Kana Anderson
>
> Assistant Director/Curator of Collections
> Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
> The University of Oklahoma
> 555 Elm Avenue
> Norman, Oklahoma 73019
> t. 405.325.1664; f. 405.325.7696
>
>
> On Feb 27, 2006, at 3:05 PM, Schaeffer, Astrida wrote:
>
> > We're about to go for a Liebert Mini-Mate for our collection storage,
> > in part because there are Liebert units elsewhere on campus that have
> > behaved very well, and in part because of recommendations from other
> > museums in the area. But now I'm scared! How common have these
> > problems been to others on the list?
> >
> >
> > Astrida
> >
> > ********************
> > Astrida Schaeffer
> > Assistant Director
> > The Art Gallery
> > University of New Hampshire
> > 30 College Road
> > Durham, NH 03824
> > (603)862-0310
> > ********************
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Museum discussion list on behalf of Dan Bartlett
> > Sent: Mon 2/27/2006 11:35 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Cc:
> > Subject: Liebert HVAC issues
> > We have an engineer designed Liebert HVAC system in our textile
> > storage area, about 4 years old. I am fast approaching the conclusion
> > that the collection would be safer if I propped the door to the room
> > open and let it float with the rest of the building.
> >
> > Does anyone else out there have constant maintenance issues with their
> > Liebert systems? The Carrier system in our other high-end storage
> > room, while not perfect, operates much better.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Dan
> >
> >
> > --
> > Dan Bartlett
> > Curator of Exhibits
> > Midway Village & Museum Center
> > Rockford, IL
> > --
> >
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