BS EN 16242 is a European standard intended for use in the study of environments for cultural property. BS EN 16242 gives guidance and specifies procedures and instruments for the measurement of relative humidity (RH) in air, in outdoor or indoor environments, and indicates how RH can be directly measured or how it can be calculated from air temperature, wet-bulb temperature, and dew-point temperature.
BS EN 16242 contains recommendations for accurate measurements of ambient conditions and moisture exchanges between air and cultural heritage objects. It is addressed to anyone in charge of environmental diagnosis, conservation or maintenance of buildings, collections or single objects.
BS EN 16242 on measuring humidity between air and cultural property is useful for:
We all have studied our past and their memorials. The upcoming generation will also study the same and try to discover more about it. This is why cultural heritage needs to be conserved.
Humidity plays a key role in the conservation of cultural heritage because most materials and/or deterioration mechanisms are directly or indirectly affected by humidity levels or changes. BS EN 16242 is a guide intended to assist in providing an acceptable environment for cultural heritage objects. Therefore, the control of levels and variability of humidity reduces the risk of deterioration and is an important preventive measure, minimizing the need for future conservation interventions.
BS EN 16242 is a guide to specifying adequate procedures for measuring humidity in the air and the minimum characteristics of instruments for such measurements so that they are carried out to an appropriate level of accuracy. BS EN 16242 presents a systematic approach, or procedure, to facilitate the best decision in each individual case.
EN 16242:2012