[CPProt.net] Fwd: Re: MSN-list Digest, Vol 4, Issue 186

[Ellie Bruggeman]

Subject:
Re: MSN-list Digest, Vol 4, Issue 186
From:
intlartcop at aol.com
Date:
Thu, 11 Aug 2005 10:00:59 -0400

To:
msn-list at te.verweg.com


The original message said:

<<The intense lighting required for CCTV coverage caused moisture to form
on the surface of mural paintings that had formerly withstood 1,500
years of exposure. The dampness was particularly severe by the
air-conditioning unit standing right in front of the murals. However, a
Chinese caretaker casually remarked, "We run the cameras hundreds of
times a day," with no regard for the damaging onset of moisture. >>

What can I say. I've sat here thinking about some humorous quip I could 
make about this pathetic comment and just can't find humor in it.
And these are the people who manufacturer many of our low voltage, low 
light level cameras in use in hundreds of similar situations in the U.S. 
and abroad!

PLEASE. If you are a non-security person such as a conservator or museum 
director reading this, don't believe a word of it. My concern is always 
that comments like this will set back the efforts to improve security by 
continuing these myths that security devices can be damaging to the 
collections. First it was the myth that ultrasonic damaged paint. Then 
someone spread the word that infrared also damaged art. Now the obvious 
incompetence of some hack installing an insufficient CCTV system or 
perhaps an adequate CCTV system in the wrong application could make 
people think that CCTV could harm artifacts. More likely the CCTV system 
isn't at fault even if the wrong equipment was used.

You can buy a .3 lux miniature CCTV camera for under $300. You can buy a 
see in the dark 24 volt CCTV camera for under $500. Anyone who uses 
cameras that have such inadequate specifications as to require this much 
lighting as to cause condensation to form, either doesn't know what they 
are doing or lacks even a minimal budget and is using 1980's technology.

I suspect that the cameras had nothing to do with this problem. Sealing 
a case or vitrine then putting air conditioning right next to it will 
cause condensation to form on one side of the glass or the other.
This museum needs a good mechanical engineer who understands humidity 
controls and this problem will likely go away. If it's worth doing, its 
worth doing right.  But if you just can't do it right, at least don't 
blame security for the problems you cause.

China, you have the world's strongest economy. You are making more money 
than any other nation on the planet. Spend some money protecting these 
treasures properly.

Steve Keller
Security Consultant