Predicting influence of changes in indoor air temperature and humidity of wooden cultural heritages by door opening on their conservation environment

Abstract

This study was conducted to predict the effect of door opening in wooden cultural heritages (WCHs) on their conservation environment. For this prediction, measured relative humidity (RH) and surface wood moisture content (MC) of inner part of wood columns in open wooden building and neighboring closed wooden building were compared with minimum RH, including the duration of minimum RH, and MC required for spore germination and resultant growth of wood-degrading fungi reported in some literatures. Moisture conditions, namely RH of inside wooden building and MC of wood was unsuitable for decay and sap-stain fungi all the year round; however, moisture conditions during summer season was suitable for spore germination and resultant growth of surface mold fungi, regardless of door opening. When compared, the duration of minimum (75%) or higher RH and the number of wood columns with MC level greater than the minimum MC (15%) during summer season, the surface mold related to the conservation environment of inside wooden building was somewhat better in open building than in closed building. Rather, doors should be opened in closed building for reducing indoor RH as a necessary measure during summer season when outdoor RH is high.