[Nhcoll-l] Humidity in collection rooms

Sat Jun 26 19:26:16 EDT 2021

Thanks everyone for chiming in on this! As usual it's a very interesting discussion, and I've learned a lot. We will stick at our original aim of 18C with 50% humidity. I take the point about never turning it off!

Cheers,

Tonya

From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Dirk Neumann
Sent: Friday, 25 June 2021 9:55 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Humidity in collection rooms

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><mailto:Lennart.Lennuk at loodusmuuseum.ee>
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2021 7:26 AM
To: Hawks, Catharine <HawksC at si.edu><mailto:HawksC at si.edu>; 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!

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]
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] 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.

  1.  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.
  2.  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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