HVAC installation to prevent Sistine Chapel deterioration

19th September 2014

  

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The governate of the Vatican City State and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) technology company Carrier announced the start of the installation of a landmark HVAC system for the Sistine Chapel, in the Vatican, in June, which is specially designed to address the challenges of protecting Michelangelo’s masterpieces against deterioration.

Carrier’s ground-breaking system, developed by the company’s expert global team of AdvanTE3C engineers and backed by its industry research and development resources, is expected to be installed and commissioned by the third quarter of 2014. Carrier, a global leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, is part of technology group United Technologies Corporation’s (UTC’s) building and industrial systems unit.

The new system, which replaces a Carrier system installed in the early 1990s, is designed to deliver exceptional performance with twice the efficiency and three times the capacity of the previous system. The custom-engineered solution uses first-of-its-kind energy-saving technologies, as well as industry-leading approaches to limit noise and air motion around the frescoes. To ensure outstanding reliability, highly controlled temperature and humidity levels, and optimal airflow management, the design team completed extensive modelling using a specially developed application. Once installed, the system is designed to be virtually unnoticeable to visitors.

In addition, the Governate of the Vatican City State and UTC entered into an agreement to ensure the protection and safety of the Vatican Museums’ artwork, spaces and visitors through the deployment of building technologies from UTC companies.

According to the terms of the agreement, the parties will work together on integrated solutions spanning HVAC, elevators and escalators, fire detection and alarms, fire suppression and safety, electronic security, access control, video surveillance services and related software solutions, from brands such as Carrier, Otis, Lenel, Kidde, Chubb and Marioff.

Vatican Museums director Antonio Paolucci states: “We are confident that Carrier’s HVAC system will enable us to realise our goal of ensuring the preservation of Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel, while allowing visitors to continue to behold the frescoes for years to come.”

Vatican technical services director Reverend Rafael Villalobos says: “The Carrier solution is the right response to our urgent need to establish a highly controlled microclimate, as well as an effective reduction of pollutants. “Our fruitful collaboration with Carrier has brought us to request a larger technical agreement with UTC and its other building solution brands.”

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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