PREP Form 31- : Texas Association of Museums (TAM)

If You're First ........

The following suggestions may help you respond to an emergency affecting cultural property. While an effort has been made to list them in ordre in which they can be addressed, you'll need to adapt them to your circumstances. Read them through and take the time to plan. It's tempting to "get right to work", but initial organization will save you work and perhaps additional loss. For advice, call your local conservator or call American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works referral system, (202)425-9545. Above all remember that safety comes first; don't endanger yourself or your staff on befalf of objects.

Initial Coordination:

* Try to control or eliminate the source of the problem
* Turn off the electricity and gas
* Inform the Director
* Find the person in charge of the building (who may or may not be a museum staff person). Assessment will begin after the building is declared safe for re-entry
* Consult your emergency plan
* Take time to coordinate and plan activities -- officals may prevent entry for several days

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Priorities:

-- human safety
-- critical operations: equipment, records, forms, information needed to manage, salvage and reopen institutions
--thorough record-photographic and written emergency conditions and salvage activities
--collections records: shelf lists, inventory, registrar's logs, etc.
--stabalize building
--collections, from important (valuable; heavily used; significant; vulnerable to irreparable damage) to least important

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Designate:

--emergency coordinator
--liasion with civil authorities
--individual with financial authority
--volunteer coordinator
--journal keeper and photographer to keep detailed records of damage and recovery activities
--individual who can authorize object movement and treatment
* Secure the site perimeter
* Establish a communications network
* Inform your insurance company: (a) document all stages of response photographically and with a written journal (b) accompany the insurance adjuster and all investigating persons and contractors, taking extensive notes of conversations. Such records may be required in court.
* Ensure that staff and volunteers have current shots (such as tetanus)

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Protection of Artifacts:

* Protect objects by covering, lifiting, or evacuating if staff is available and capable
* Diminish mold growth by reducing the temperature and humidity and by promoting air circulation
*Identify temporary storage
* Set up work areas for items that need to be packed or air dried
* Locate cold storage or freezing facilities
*Obtain containers and supports for moving and handling objects--plastic crates, polythylene sheeting, plywood, saw horses, rubber gloves, dollies, carts
* If time and conditions permit, record objects and destination with film, video, computer or pencil and paper
* Label object containers
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Prevention of Further Damage:

* Turn off electricity, blocking entry until done. The power company may have to do this
* Switch off, divert, or sandbag the water source
* Cover drains as soon as possible
* Cover places where water is entering
* Locate pump and fans, and use only if you know the circuitry is dry
* Plan mud removal, remembering that it may be contaminated
* Raise objects out of water
* Cover objects. Check every 24 hours, uncovering if there is threat of mold
* Secure floating objects
* Move collections up if water is rising
* Locate suppliers: containers, uninked newsprint, clean sheeting, blotter paper, toweling, flashlights, batteries, fans, buckets, sponges, hand tools, plastic bags, boots, aprons, tags and labels, scissors, pencils and paper, clipboards, filament tape, waterproof makers, rubber gloves, and a source of clean water.
* Contact a commercial dehumidification firm if your building is large, if it is a historic structure, or if a great deal of water has been absorbed.
* Schedule staff and volunteers for work, breaks, and food.
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General

*Do not hang wet objects without a conservator's advice
* Air dry means find a cool, dry space with fans. Use absorbent material (uninked newsprint, blotters, paper towels) under objects. REplace absorbent material as it becomes wet
* For wet books, documents, photographs, textiles: If these cannot be air-dried within about 48 hours, freeze. If freezer is unavailable, keep as cool as possible until air drying is possible. Expect mold growth
* Framed Artworks: Unframe paintings in a safe place. Keep wet paintings horizontal and paint-side up. For art on paper or photos: If image sppears stuck to glass/glazing, leave in frame and dry glass-side down.
* Photographs: Rinse mud off photographs (using gentle water steam or by immersion and gentle agitation) Thoroughly wet photographs can stay wet in a container of clean water. Dry or freeze within 48 hours. Freeze or air dry damp or partially wet photographs
* Books in Quantity: Remove two or three books from each wet or partly wet shelf (to relieve pressure). Evacuate completely or partly wet books. Pack snugly, spine down, and freeze. Leave damp books on shelves if space can be made and dry. Contact a commercial dehumidificatoin firm if space has been flooded
* Individual Books: Air dry -- stand upright and open covers gently to support book
* Doucments/Pamphlets: Remove plastic covers. Air dry flat, in piles no thicker than 1/8 inch within 48 hours; or pack snugly, upright in original folder(ifno folders, pack flat) and freeze.
* Textiles: Air dry or bag wet textiles in plactic and freeze. Dip half - saturated textiles in clean water and air dry or freeze.
* Furniture: Lift furniture above water level. Dab dry with clean cloths. If mud-covered, rinse immediately with clean water. Wrap with plastic and dry slowly, under weights if possible. Leave drawers in place but remove contents
* Baskets: Pad basketry with uninked newsprint, keep lids on, dry slowly
* Leather: Shape and air dry
* Bone/Ivory: Dab to absorb excess water, place under loose sheets of polyethylene to slow drying.
* Metal: Dry metal as quickly as possible, using fans and/or sun
*Animal Materials: Air dry unstuffed specimens and skeletal material on racks in moving air; do not squeeze.

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PREP Table of Contents

Forms and Supplementary Materials

EMERGENCY!

If You're First ........

Initial Coordination:

Priorities:

Designate:

Protection of Artifacts:

In the Event of Water.......

Prevention of Further Damage:

Basic Drying Procedures

General

Disaster Recovery Suppler and Services

PREP Table of Contents Forms and Supplementary Materials

EMERGENCY!

If You're First ........

Initial Coordination:

Priorities:

Designate:

Protection of Artifacts:

In the Event of Water.......

Prevention of Further Damage:

Basic Drying Procedures

General

Disaster Recovery Suppler and Services

PREP Table of Contents

Forms and Supplementary Materials