New HVAC System for Cultural Preservation

This article provides a review of the new HVAC and environmental control system designed to preserve the majestic frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. The frescoes that decorate the Chapel’s walls and ceiling faced increasing environmental challenges as a result of a dramatic rise in visitors. When the original HVAC system was installed over 20 years ago, it was designed to accommodate 700 visitors at a time; today there are up to 2,000. Critical factors in the design of HVAC systems for museums and buildings with historic artifacts include air temperature, air humidity, air circulation, airborne pollutants and sound level.