BS EN 15946:2011 pdf download – Conservation of cultural property — Packing principles for transport
An example of a form completed by the owner/custodian and the final consignee with information for the packer/transporter is given in Annex B. This form may be of any type (e.g. spreadsheet).
5.1.5 Site visit Before packing, in order to measure the object and to evaluate its condition and the risks of transport, a site visit should be made by the packer/transporter. For this site visit, the packer or transport company shall have access to the object and meet a representative of the owner/custodian who has full knowledge of the object’s file. A conservator-restorer should be present on site during this visit. Following this visit, suggestions may be made by the packer/transporter and conservator-restorer, to be agreed by the owner/custodian. It may also be necessary to visit the delivery location.
5.2 Choice of packaging
5.2.1 General principles Packaging shall provide appropriate protection to the object, in accordance with the risk assessment. It should comprise material in contact with the object which shall not abrade or otherwise harm, cushioning, and protection against shocks, vibrations and changes in environmental conditions. Packaging shall maintain all its protective properties during use. It shall be taken into account that packaging is designed for transport purposes and therefore not necessarily suitable to be used for permanent storage. If monitoring devices and control indicators accompany the object, packaging shall include provision for them. Packaging shall be designed to facilitate manual or mechanical handling and should be free standing. Dimensions shall be adapted to those of the object and take into account the constraints of the selected means of transport (truck, plane, etc.). External dimensions shall be compatible with the narrowest point to be passed during the object’s journey. Small objects should be packed together if they are compatible and going to the same destination. Wherever possible, sustainability should be kept in mind when choosing materials to be employed and means of transport.
5.2.2 Surface protection The surface protection for the object should mainly protect the object from deposits and abrasion. It shall be chemically as inert as possible. In some cases, the surface of the object shall not be in direct contact with any packaging to avoid damage.
5.2.3 Cushioning
Cushioning is selected for its capacity to absorb shocks and vibrations.
The type, density, thickness, quantity and position of cushioning shall be selected according to means of transport and its physical environment, weight of object, weight of packaging, surface of the object in contact with the cushioning and vulnerability of the object.
Cushioning material should be such that it does not remain distorted upon impact.
5.2.4 External protection
Material for external protection should be rigid in order to protect the object from impact.
It shall protect the object from water under normal conditions.
Insulation materials should limit variations in humidity and temperature during transport.
5.3 Accompanying condition report
To record any possible changes to the object, an accompanying condition report with images shall be prepared and signed by the representative of the owner/custodian of the object. It shall be performed by a conservator-restorer or a representative of the owner/custodian.
The purpose of this accompanying condition report is to describe the specific object and to list any changes occurring as a result of this particular transaction. The accompanying condition report shall be completed at the collecting point before packing; it shall form part of the file created for this particular transaction and shall accompany the object throughout.
The owner/custodian shall be notified immediately if any changes occur to the object. It is one of the reference documents that can be used in case of a claim. The accompanying condition report shall be checked, annotated and countersigned by the courier, if there is one, and by a representative of the consignee, at each stage. Final check shall be performed on receipt of the object at the final destination by the owner/custodian together with the last courier if there is one. The condition check shall be carried out in a clean and safe place.
The examination shall be performed under “daylight” quality lighting. If specific conditions of examination are necessary in order to view particular characteristics, these requirements shall be noted on the accompanying condition report so that the inspection will be made under similar conditions. The terminology used in the accompanying condition report shall be precise and unequivocal. The authors of the accompanying condition report should be able to check against a pre-established list with a defined glossary.