# Collection Hazards during Renovation and Construction The hazards below may have an elevated risk of collections damage during construction projects. ## Construction dust Sources include drilling through concrete, sawing, and sanding. Unsealed ductwork quickly conveys the dust to other areas of the building. Potential collection damage: staining, chemical degradation (concrete dust is highly alkaline), surface abrasion; AV and digital media are at higher risk than book/paper collections Work with the Project Team to: - Filter or cover supply and return grills in collection storage spaces. - Cover collections completely with heavy-duty plastic sheeting or zip walls. - Rehouse individual items into protective enclosures to provide an extra layer of protection. ## Water Water leaks in construction sites may come from the regular sources (roofs, windows, plumbing, HVAC etc.), plus hoses and other water sources used during the project. Potential collection damage includes staining, wrinkling, stuck pages, bleeding inks, mold. Work with the Project Team to: - Confirm protocols for checking hoses and other water sources before the site is shut down every day. - Conduct walkthroughs that include previous leak locations. - Cover collections. - Monitor humidity. - Install leak detection/alarm system in areas that are difficult to access during walkthroughs. ## Power Outages Planned or unplanned, power outages can cause complex systems to reset in unexpected ways. Work with the Facilities Manager on post-outage inspections of critical building systems, including: - HVAC - Security - Telephone & Data - Mission-critical files and digital collections held on local servers - Collections stored in freezers ## Fire Fire and life safety are paramount concerns for Facilities Managers. The use of portable generators and/or portable dehumidifiers as well as welding equipment present an increased risk of fire. Potential collection damage includes smoke damage, water damage from fire suppression, falling/dissociation from firefighter hoses, wrinkling, charring. - The Project Team is responsible for a comprehensive Fire Impairment Plan for every project that is submitted by the construction manager and approved by Harvard’s Fire Services group and the Cambridge Fire Department. - Review the Impairment Plan for Library-specific details like access and egress to/from collections areas. ## Mold Mold can grow in 24-48 hours at high humidity. Previously exposed collections regrow mold more quickly. Potential collection damage: staining, odors, disintegration of paper and cloth - Monitor humidity and keep it under 60%. - Keep air circulating gently (if it is not spreading construction dust). ## Vibration Construction drilling, boring, earth compacting, and heavy vehicle movement can cause vibration both within and outside the building. Potential collection damage: items fall off the shelf; artworks fall from walls; pendant fixtures fall from ceiling; brittle paper breakage; flaking paint/ink (manuscripts and paintings); distorted audio and video tapes; secondary risks from burst pipes or other facilities damage - Discuss vibration risks with the Project Team for collections that are particularly vulnerable. - Ask what kind of vibration, proximity to collections, schedule for work. - Mark initial location and inspect items to see if they are “walking” toward the edge of the shelf. - Engage a vibration monitoring expert to determine setpoints/alarms for warning and stop work levels. - Monitor floor and shelf locations; shelves that are tightly and loosely loaded; low, middle, high ## Pests Insects and rodents can more easily enter a jobsite that might not be as well sealed as an intact building. Attractants include food waste, water, and shelter. Potential collection damage: loss from being consumed; staining from saliva and excrement - Monitor pest traps; work with pest control experts to identify and reduce infestations. - Enforce food and trash policies for both Library staff and construction personnel. - Monitor temperature and humidity; cooler temperature and lower humidity discourage pest activity. ## Dissociation Moving items or parts of items temporarily without properly labeling, recording and communicating the move can result in irreversible separation or loss of related items. - Create protocols to label, document, and report even small amounts of collections being moved. - Plan to reduce last-minute, rushed moves when protocols might be ignored. - Make a backup plan for hand-written documentation if electronic systems fail. ## Scope Creep No construction project goes exactly as planned. Unforeseen issues arise and may require flexibility, quick thinking, and additional resources. Careful planning, catching problems early, and open communication mitigate but cannot completely prevent scope creep. - Develop protocols for occasions when contractors need to enter collections areas unexpectedly. ## Weather Events Strong storms with high winds and/or heavy precipitation can damage structures that are temporarily left more exposed during construction such as in-process roof repairs and window/door replacements. - Increases communication with the Project Team when heavy storms are predicted to ensure temporary structures are sufficiently secured to withstand the incoming weather. - Add a walkthrough of collections spaces after the storm has passed. - Make back-up monitoring and walkthrough plans if it is not possible to follow usual routines. - Make an alternate plan if Library staff are not permitted on campus. Back to: [Protecting Collections During Renovation](/protecting-collections-during-renovation-0?admin_panel=1)