FrançaisCICRP – Centre Interrégional de Conservation et Restauration du Patrimoine
[CICRP - Interregional Centre for Heritage Conservation and Restoration]
Preventive conservation
In France, preventive conservation came into being towards the end of the 1990s. This new approach seeks to anticipate and slow the pace of deterioration of cultural objects by implementing protocols and methods to curtail the impact of several different factors: climate and light, pests, pollutants, storage and handling procedures.
In this perspective and at the request of collection owners or curators, the CICRP assists in the definition and implementation of conservation policies in connection with either isolated or comprehensive measures related to the development of an institution or renovation projects. Preventive conservation primarily focuses on issues relating to the environment, biological contaminants or pollution and is involved in the selection and programming of corrective actions: preventive conservation programmes, preventive actions, rehabilitation plans, storage projects, top-to-bottom collection overhaul projects, etc.
Examination of an insect
(Photo: Odile Guillon)
The CICRP assists collection owners or curators in the analysis of situations and specific issues and recommends appropriate courses of action. It participates in the drafting of specifications, the definition of protocols and master plans, as well as in the monitoring of operations by taking part in steering committee meetings.
The CICRP provides technical information, particularly in the areas of biological contamination and climate issues, and takes pride in its reputation as an invaluable resource, constantly updated and backed by a network of expert consultants.
Its preventive conservation teams are also committed to building their knowledge of biological contamination phenomena (insect pests and fungi). Equipped with its own entomology laboratory, the CICRP collects insect specimens and identifies the sources and components of contamination. It defines eradication protocols, participates in the monitoring of decontamination projects (insects and fungi), recommends the appropriate prevention mechanisms and also keeps abreast of all technological developments in the areas of treatment and prevention.
The CICRP is in the process of building a body of reference documents (insectothèque) without equal in France, has developed specific investigation methods and carries out research programmes related to the identification of biological risks – especially entomological risks – to heritage collections:
- Creation of a "Cultural Heritage Insect Pests" database in collaboration with the Montpellier office of INRA
- Infestation and reinfestation of relining adhesive used for easel paintings by Stegobium paniceum (see the page devoted to the StegoSIG)
- Substitute for ethylene oxide gas to be used in the disinfection of cellulosic materials
- Substitute for methyl bromide gas to be used in the disinsectisation of heritage collections
The CICRP’s full complement of scientific equipment (see the list of equipment) is also available to be used by the preventive conservation team.
Page last updated on 6 October 2008.
CICRP – Centre Interrégional de Conservation et Restauration du Patrimoine
Groupement d'Intérêt Public à Caractère Culturel
21, rue Guibal, F-13003 Marseille FRANCE
| 