[CAUT] Temperature/Humidity range

[Chris Solliday]

Mark and Cy although this a very good starting point I must point out that
pianos are furniture under tension, great tension, so the tolerances should
be narrower and the intended results less flexible. DC climate control
systems are a must for all pianos but even so do as much as possible to
achieve 68 F  and 42% year round, of course in the summer we must be
reasonable and so should they. As the temperature rises the humidity should
also but I wouldn't go past the furniture suggestions CY has provided for
the building and the humidity seems alittle on the high side. I don't think
my pianos would be happy above 75F and 60%rh. You (Mark) should buy or have
them buy for your use a Dickson DataLogger. I like model TR320 with
accompanying software and calibration software. Check it out at
www.dicksonweb.com You need accuracy on your side in this situation. And
some charts and graphs to scare the h out of em is always good. Best of
luck. Chris Solliday
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cy Shuster" <741662027@theshusters.org>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 4:50 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Temperature/Humidity range


> Here's how museums do it for furniture:
>
> http://www.hfmgv.org/explore/artifacts/furniture.asp
>
> "The recommended temperature and humidity levels for the storage and
display
> of furniture are as follows:
>
>       Winter Temperature 70 degrees F
>         Relative humidity 35%-45%
>       Summer Temperature 70-75 degrees F
>         Relative humidity 55%-65%"
>
>
> I invite people to think of the difference between their house and their
> (unheated) garage, and instead of a piano (which people think of as a box,
> protected somehow) to think of another wooden instrument of equal value,
> outside of its case.
>
> In what temperature range would you leave a new, $20,000 violin, not in a
> case, on your workbench in your garage?  How long do you think it would
> last, compared to storing it in your house, in your own comfort zone of
> temperature and humidity?  If it lasts 20 years in your house, that's
$1000
> a year replacement cost.  If it only lasts 10 years in your garage, that's
> $2000 a year: double the expense!
>
> Now imagine that you turn on a space heater in your garage every day for
> concerts, and turn it off at night -- and also for weeks at a time during
> breaks.  Add in the extra minimum HVAC air exchange requirements for
> institutions.  Stress that pianos don't have cases: make sure they
> understand that the soundboard is exposed on the bottom, even with the lid
> closed.
>
> --Cy Shuster--
> Boston, MA
> N. Bennet Street School
> Class of '06
> www.nbss.org
>
>
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