[Nhcoll-l] Humidity in collection rooms

Fri Jun 25 07:55:18 EDT 2021

Hi Lennart,

the recommended range is between 35-55% with daily fluctuations less 
than 5%. The closer you get to 60% (+/- 5% fluctuation), the closer you 
approach the threshold for potential mould outbreaks (depends on 
temperature and air circulation as well). A second think worth 
considering is metal corrosion, which is accelerated at a rH above 57% 
(and 18°C) as well.

The increased evaporation you mention likely is promoted by high air 
exchange rates, which basically hinders that an stable equilibrium can 
establish (thus the high technical need to actively control the 
parameters and keeping them stable even at aggressive air exchange rates).

With best wishes
Dirk

Am 25.06.2021 um 13:31 schrieb Hawks, Catharine:
>
> I suspect that the decision would lie with whatever authority has 
> jurisdiction in terms of fire safety for your museum.
>
> Cathy
>
> *From:* Lennart Lennuk <Lennart.Lennuk at loodusmuuseum.ee>
> *Sent:* Friday, June 25, 2021 7:26 AM
> *To:* Hawks, Catharine <HawksC at si.edu>; Anderson, Gretchen 
> <AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org>; Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace) 
> <Tonya.Haff at csiro.au>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> *Subject:* RE: [Nhcoll-l] Humidity in collection rooms
>
> *External Email - Exercise Caution*
>
> Hi!
>
> Understandable. If the possibility for arc spark has been removed and 
> the room has good ventilation, is it then better to keep the humidity 
> above 50%?
>
> Best!
> Lennart
>
> *From:*Hawks, Catharine [mailto:HawksC at si.edu <mailto:HawksC at si.edu>]
> *Sent:* Friday, June 25, 2021 2:17 PM
> *To:* Lennart Lennuk <Lennart.Lennuk at loodusmuuseum.ee 
> <mailto:Lennart.Lennuk at loodusmuuseum.ee>>; Anderson, Gretchen 
> <AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org <mailto:AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org>>; Haff, 
> Tonya (NCMI, Crace) <Tonya.Haff at csiro.au 
> <mailto:Tonya.Haff at csiro.au>>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu 
> <mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject:* RE: [Nhcoll-l] Humidity in collection rooms
>
> Actually, one concern for alcohol collections is that given how poorly 
> most jars seal, there is an appreciable quantity of alcohol vapor in 
> the space. When the RH is below 40% it is easy to arc a spark just 
> from static electricity, so somewhere above that usually recommended 
> by our fire protection engineers.
>
> Cathy
>
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu 
> <mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu>> *On Behalf Of *Lennart Lennuk
> *Sent:* Friday, June 25, 2021 7:11 AM
> *To:* Anderson, Gretchen <AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org 
> <mailto:AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org>>; Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace) 
> <Tonya.Haff at csiro.au <mailto:Tonya.Haff at csiro.au>>; 
> nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Humidity in collection rooms
>
> *External Email - Exercise Caution*
>
> Hi!
>
> Why the fluid collections ideal is 30% +/- 5%?
>
> I though it would be good to keep it 50-60% for less evaporation.
>
> Best!
> Lennart
>
> *From:*Nhcoll-l [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu 
> <mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu>] *On Behalf Of *Anderson, 
> Gretchen
> *Sent:* Thursday, June 24, 2021 5:53 PM
> *To:* Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace) <Tonya.Haff at csiro.au 
> <mailto:Tonya.Haff at csiro.au>>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu 
> <mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Humidity in collection rooms
>
> Hi Tonya,
>
>
> There is some flexibility in this, depending on the relative humidity 
> that you can safely maintain, both physically and financially. 
>  Remember that stability is extremely important.
>
>   * For study skins, we aim for 50% +/- 10%.  That allows for limited
>     seasonal drift for those of us who live in extreme climates.  –
>     your 45% set point falls within that, and should be ok.
>   * For fluid (ETOH etc) collections, the ideal should be much dryer.
>     30% +/- 5%.
>
>
> Good Luck.
> Gretchen Anderson
>
> Gretchen Anderson
>
> Conservator
>
> Carnegie Museum of Natural History
>
> 5800 Baum Blvd.
>
> Pittsburgh, PA 15213
>
> Andersong at CarnegieMNH.org <mailto:Andersong at CarnegieMNH.org>
>
> (412)665-2607
>
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu 
> <mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu>> *On Behalf Of *Haff, Tonya 
> (NCMI, Crace)
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 23, 2021 9:14 PM
> *To:* nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject:* [Nhcoll-l] Humidity in collection rooms
>
> Hello all,
>
> I am hoping that some of you can give me feedback on the relative 
> humidity set point that is best for collection vaults with study 
> skins, and for ETOH vaults. Right now we are planning on a 45% 
> relative humidity in the study skin vaults, and 50% in the ETOH vault, 
> but I wonder if 45% might be a bit dry for study skins? I would be 
> grateful for any feedback!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Tonya
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------
>
> Dr Tonya Haff
>
> Collection Manager
>
> Australian National Wildlife Collection
>
> National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO
>
> Canberra, Australia
>
> Phone: (+61) 02 6242 1566 (office)
>
> (+61) 0419 569 109 (mobile)
>
>
>
>
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-- 

Dirk Neumann

Tel: 089 / 8107-111
Fax: 089 / 8107-300
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---------

Dirk Neumann

Tel: +49-89-8107-111
Fax: +49-89-8107-300
neumann(a)snsb.de

postal address:

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