Guidelines for museum exhibit cases including conservation, fabrication, and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Specify only laminated safety glass. Standard safety glass contains two inner films or plastic sheets of plastic that create a UV barrier as well as being very secure through break resistance. This is known as P2A or meets the UL972(12), CPSC16CFR1201 or ANSIZ97.1 standard. Standard thicknesses include 8.76mm, 10.76mm and 12.76mm.
Additional security (ballistic) characteristics can be attained through additional laminate foils. NARA requires 4 foils on all cases which will house NARA artifacts. This type of glass is known as P4A or meets the ASTM F1233 class 1 standard
Low iron- Also known as “water white” or “super clear” such as Starphire by PPG
Anti-reflective coatings- Glass can be coated at the point of manufacture with an antireflective coating that reduces glare by up to 98%.
Material Specifications.
MEDEX, Medite II and other ZF (zero formaldehyde) MDF products- These are the most often specified case materials for museum work. NPS still specifies these products but the Smithsonian no longer considers them acceptable (NARA does not consider ANY wood products acceptable). Consider at the least a liquid applied type membrane barrier such as waterborne polyurethanes or two-part epoxy and at best a physical barrier such as metal laminate foils (marvel seal), HPL laminates (Formica) or actual metal such as sheet aluminum. Water based acrylic latex coating including paint offer no protections.
Appleply- Appleply by States Industries is now the wood based material that the Smithsonian recommends. This material STILL off gasses formaldehyde, but at a lower rate than the ZF MDF products. This product still needs a liquid membrane or physical barrier applied to the surface.
Solid woods should be avoided due to their expansion and contraction issues however; woods that have a low resin and acid content are the best choices for construction techniques if you need to use them. Consider birch or poplar and avoid high resinous or acid woods like oak and walnut.
NARA no longer consider any wood products acceptable for case construction. Materials such as welded frames, powder coated steel and aluminum and stainless steel are the most popular materials used in these case types.
Essential Reading:
AIC: A set of conservation guidelines for exhibitions
National Park Service Standard Exhibit Fabrication Specifications
National Park Service Standard Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Specifications
Accessibility for People With Disabilities:
Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design
Other Resources:
ICOM Running a museum: a practical handbook
Conservation and Exhibition Planning: Material Testing for Design, Display, and Packing
NPS Museum Handbook, Part I: Museum Collections