Museum Showcase Acceptance: 8 Technical Checks to Avoid Problems
Created on 08.28
As a museum person, you know a display case is more than just a box; it's key to keeping your artifacts safe. When your new display cases arrive, how do you know they're good enough to protect your priceless items? Just looking at them isn't enough. If you don't check them carefully, you risk exposing your collection to hidden dangers like UV light, humidity, and harmful gases.
That’s why we made this guide. We'll walk you through the 8 technical things you need to check when you get your new cases. Think of this as your checklist to make sure you're getting what you paid for. It'll help you confirm the cases are good quality, lower risks, and make sure your investment lasts for years.
Why a Technical Acceptance Checklist Is Important
If you accept showcases without testing them, you're taking a chance. Problems with how they're made or what they're made of can cause lasting damage to artifacts, which will cost you money to fix later. A detailed checklist for your museum showcases makes sure you get what you were promised, protecting both your collection and your budget.
The 8 Technical Things for Your Acceptance Checklist
Here's what to look for when you check your new display cases, along with standards and simple ways to test them on-site.
1. Glass Properties: More Than Just Looks
The glass on a showcase is what people see, but it does more than just look good. It's what protects against outside dangers.
The Standard: Look for glass that doesn't have much iron in it. This kind of glass is very clear and doesn't have the green tint of regular glass. It should let at least 90% of light through and block at least 99% of UV light. Coatings that reduce glare are suggested to make things easier to see.
Simple Detection Method: Use a light meter to test how much light passes through the glass. Put the meter outside the glass, see what it reads, then put it inside and compare. For a quick check, hold a white card inside the case. If the glass doesn't have much iron in it, the card won't look discolored. Check the manufacturer's papers to make sure the glass blocks UV light.
2. Micro-environment Precision: Stability is Key
For delicate materials, a stable environment inside the case is a must. A good display case needs to keep the humidity at a certain level.
The Standard: The case should keep the humidity stable (for example, between 40% and 55%) with little change, usually no more than +/- 5% over 24 hours. This can be done with silica gel.
Simple Detection Method: Put a digital hygrometer inside the sealed showcase. Include the right amount of silica gel. Check the humidity over 24-48 hours. The readings should stay within the allowed range, which means the case can protect against outside changes.
3. Sealing and Airtightness: A Breath of Fresh (or No) Air
How airtight a showcase is protects against dust, pollution, and changes in the outside environment. This is measured by how often the air inside the case is replaced.
The Standard: A high-quality showcase should replace the air inside it less than 0.1 times per day. This keeps the environment inside stable for a long time.
Simple Detection Method: The best way to test this is with a tracer gas test, but a flashlight test can show big leaks. In a dark room, have someone shine a flashlight along all the seals from the outside. From the inside, look for any light coming through. For a more technical check, you can use an ultrasonic leak detector to find gaps in the seals.
4. Load-Bearing Capacity: Strength You Can Trust
The shelves and base of your display case must be able to hold the weight of what you're displaying without bending or breaking, whether it's a heavy sculpture or old documents.
The Standard: Shelves should be able to hold the heaviest thing you plan to put on them without bending. For valuable items, hanging systems are often better than shelves.
Simple Detection Method: Put weights (like sandbags) on the shelves that equal the maximum weight they're supposed to hold. Use a level to check if they're sagging or bending. Leave the weights there for a while to make sure they stay stable.
5. Materials and Finish: Safe
What the showcase is made of is as important as what it protects. Many materials, like MDF or some paints, can release harmful fumes.
The Standard: All materials inside the case must be safe. This includes powder-coated steel, aluminum, and special fabrics. Glues should not have chemicals in them. Suppliers should have papers showing that all internal parts have been tested to confirm they're chemically stable.
Simple Detection Method: Look at all surfaces to make sure they're finished well. Smell inside the case when you open it to see if there are any chemical smells. For a more scientific check, you can use a meter to check the air quality inside the showcase.
6. Lighting System: Good Lighting,
The right lighting makes things look good, but bad lighting can cause fading and heat damage.
The Standard: All lights should be outside the display area to prevent heat. LED lights are good. For delicate items, light levels should be low, and the system must not produce UV or infrared light.
Simple Detection Method: Use a light meter to measure the light levels on the display. Check the manufacturer’s data sheets to make sure the lights don't produce UV or infrared light. Make sure any equipment that produces heat is away from the display area.
7. Security and Locking Mechanisms: Your First Defense
Security is very important. The locks and the way the case is built must protect against unauthorized access.
The Standard: Strong locks are a must. The case should be strong and hard to break into. Glass should meet safety standards.
Simple Detection Method: Test every lock and key. They should work smoothly but securely. Look at the door to make sure there are no gaps. Try to shake the door to check how strong it is.
8. Functionality and Ease of Use: Practical for Your Team
A showcase that's hard to open puts staff and artifacts at risk. It should work easily.
The Standard: Doors and drawers should open smoothly and quietly.
Simple Detection Method: Have your team use all the moving parts. Pretend to install or adjust something in the case. It should feel easy and safe. Make sure one person can open the case safely.
Tool Kit Summary
To check these things, you'll need:
- Calibrated Digital Hygrometer/Thermometer
- Portable Light Meter
- Bright Flashlight
- Tape Measure and a Level
- VOC Meter
- A checklist to write down your findings.
Getting What You Paid For
Ready to invest in showcases that are the best? Contact our specialists today to talk about a display case for your collection.
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