BS EN 16782:2016

What is BS EN 16782 – Conservation of cultural heritage about? 

Cultural heritage conservation refers to the activities undertaken to extend the life of cultural assets. Usually, these are ages old and requires cleaning to maintain their beauty and formation. BS EN 16782 specifies the requirements for the selection of laser cleaning methods and devices applicable to natural stone, ceramics, and mortars (plasters, renders and stucco). BS EN 16782 applies to porous inorganic materials constituting cultural heritage. BS EN 16782 provides the fundamental requirements of the laser parameters and guidelines for the choice of the laser operational parameters, in order to optimize the cleaning procedure. 

Who is BS EN 16782 – Conservation of cultural heritage for? 

BS EN 16782 on conservation of cultural heritage using laser cleaning techniques is useful for: 

• Laser manufacturers 
• Laser Suppliers 
• Research personnel 
• Design engineers 

Why should you use BS EN 16782 – Conservation of cultural heritage?  

We all have studied about our past and their memorials. The upcoming generation will also study the same and try discovering more out of it. This is why cultural heritage needs to be conserved. 

A cleaning method can be applied if it follows the ethical code of conservation practice as stated in BS EN 16782. Laser cleaning consists of the removal of unwanted surface materials from a substrate by using laser irradiation. The removal of unwanted substances on surfaces of artworks is done by photothermal processes and/or photomechanical processes, and/or photochemical processes. Laser cleaning is generally characterized by high precision and selectivity, which may allow the process to be stopped at a pre-determined level. Laser cleaning requires very precise control to be selective and prevent surface damage. As with other cleaning systems, laser cleaning can only be performed by trained operators with sufficient knowledge of all relevant laser safety regulations and guidelines. Thus, BS EN 16782 guidelines can help in conserving cultural heritage without providing any damage to it with the help of laser cleaning technology. Using BS EN 16782 you can specify the requirements for the selection of laser cleaning methods and devices applicable to natural stone, ceramics, and mortars (plasters, renders and stucco).