Connecting to Collections Care

We are replacing our aging Liebert HVAC unit for our rare books.  The new system is quite different and uses outside air instead of only recirculated air.  I would love to hear what other collections have planned or have done to mitigate wildfire smoke etc. from being pulled into collections. 

• Are MERV 13 filters effective enough at removing smoke particles? 
• Do you consider shutting off outside air and using only recirculated air when the air is bad? 
• Or shutting down systems completely and letting the collections "float" within a tight envelope? 
• Do you ever change to finer filters during a smokey period? 
• Do you use portable air purifiers inside collections when outside air is bad? 
• What air quality metrics do you use to make decisions on what you will do?

A few resources I have looked at:

https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smoke-course/preparing-fire-season#alerts

https://cool.culturalheritage.org/byauth/trinkley/wildfire.html

National Air Filtration Assn. Guidelines (2015) Recommended Practices for Libraries Archives and Museums

How Australian Art Museums Are Protecting Their Collections From Fire Threats  https://observer.com/2020/01/australian-fires-art-museum-protection-measures/

Thanks in advance.

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Carl Stewart Carl.Stewart@Colorado.edu
Libraries Building Managment
University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
Boulder CO
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