Environmental Control
Refurbishment of Historic Buildings
Temporary Environmental Control
When a historic building is being prepared for refurbishment, it will be emptied of its contents and the existing heating systems shut down. When the construction company takes occupation and commences work the building can become vulnerable to abnormal humidity conditions.
In particular the existing high quality interior installed in a by gone era will need to be safeguarded. Interior hardwood joinery such as doors, doorframes and architrave, and well as wooden wall panelling, flooring, ornate plaster work and wall murals each pose their different problems to a construction company during a building refurbishment process.
It is very important that existing high quality fixtures and fittings inside a property are protected during refurbishment. The installation of temporary humidity control systems may be required to ensure that there are no extreme fluctuations in relative humidity and temperature.
The architect appointed by the client to oversee the refurbishment, may outline the conditions that are to be maintained by the construction company to safeguard the interior, and will often quote the expected relative humidity (RH) and temperature conditions that need to be maintained throughout the buildings work. There may also be a need to monitor the internal (and external) environmental conditions throughout this period by periodic visits to check conditions.
