Optimum Air Quality for the Wallace Collection

HygroMatik are proud to have installed 35 CompactLine Steam humidifiers with SuperFlush within The Wallace Collection at Hereford House in Manchester Square, London. The humidifiers are serviced on a regular basis to provide the best quality environment for this prestigious museum.

The humidifiers service the entirety of the Collection by preserving its 5,600 archived artefacts at a constant room temperature of 20ºC and with a relative humidity level of 55%. The relative humidity has to remain constant and can only fluctuate minimally by ± 5%rH.

Many artefacts, including textiles, paintings and books, amongst others, are hygroscopic and react to small changes in humidity levels. The sole purpose of humidification within a museum is to maintain the artefacts’ value and life span as, without it, famous artworks such as Frans Hals ‘The Laughing Cavalier’ would deteriorate.

David Wallington, Lead Engineer at the Wallace Collection, explains the maintenance process: “My job is to ensure that all services are working efficiently to preserve the quality of the artefacts. One of the most crucial elements of this process is to maintain and service the 35 humidifiers located within the plant rooms on each gallery floor.”

David continues: “The maintenance cycle involves the electrodes being replaced when needed and the cylinders being hygienically cleaned and re-used. HygroMatik’s products are ultimately very simple to use, reliable and easily accessible. All of the parts can be easily and speedily replaced, which is essential for a specialist environment such as The Wallace Collection.”

The neat, compact design and unique “SuperFlush” rinsing system with ‘blow-down’ drainage pump enables the units to collect and expel the majority of scale deposits to minimise maintenance requirements.

The 5,600 artefacts maintained by HygroMatik at The Wallace Collection span across 27 rooms and galleries on the ground and first floors. A wide range of artworks can be viewed at Hereford House including French 18th century paintings, furniture, porcelain, Old Master paintings and a world class armoury.

HygroMatik
T: 02380 443127
W: www.hygromatik.co.uk
E: info@hygromatik.co.uk