Thermo-hygrometry and IAQ Related Measurements of the Indoor Physical Conditions of Exhibition Halls for Complying International Rules and Standards

Abstract

Off-line methods for detecting the indoor physical parameters of museums are important tools in order of continuously monitoring the conditions at which works of art are exposed. These conditions, in fact, are mandatory established by several rules and technical standards aimed at preserving the specific artifacts. Moreover, indoor microclimate parameters must also take into account the comfort conditions for visiting people. Both the above-cited requirements suggest to perform the indoor monitoring with equipment visually low impacting. In this paper, some examples of visually low impacting off-line monitoring methods, applied to three artifacts displayed in the “Museo Regionale” of Palermo, are reported, finalized at detecting thermo-hygrometry and pollutant related parameters. Specifically, two different pollutants’ emissions measurement methods are applied: bi-metallic coupons (chemical degradation) and marble coupons (physical degradation). Given the ambiguity of the current regulation concerning measurement methods, it is not possible to determine precisely whether the ones here proposed comply with these standards or not.