There are 5 dehumidifiers placed in the Archives and Special Collections rooms with their locations pictured below. At the very least, dehumidifiers are checked and emptied at the open and close of each workday. The closing dehumidifier check should be between 4:00pm - 4:15pm at the end of each workday. Depending on the time of year, there are different protocols for how to maintain the dehumidifiers.
- During warmer months of the year, the relative humidity tends stay above 40%. In that case, the dehumidifiers will be left running throughout these months and may fill more quickly. When the dehumidifiers fill with water, they shut off and do not run again until they are emptied. This means they will need to be checked and emptied more frequently throughout the day.
- Dehumidifier "Sailhamer Main 2" is equipped with a timer. During the warmer months this timer should be set to go off around midnight. This ensures continual dehumidifying throughout the evening. Please see "Setting Timer for Sailhamer Main 2" below for further instructions.
- During colder months of the year, the relative humidity fluctuates in which case the following protocol will apply:
- if the relative humidity reads 40% or above on the datalogger, empty the dehumidifier and leave the dehumidifier on.
- if the relative humidity reads below 40% on the datalogger, empty the dehumidifier and turn the dehumidifier off.
How to empty the dehumidifier:
- If the dehumidifier is still running
- Before emptying the dehumidifier, make sure it has stopped running. To stop the dehumidifier, press the power button located on top. Pull out the bottom tray (dehumidifier will beep at first), and dump the water in a nearby bathroom sink. Reinsert the tray into the dehumidifier, and press the power button to resume. The dehumidifier may not start up right away. It can take a minute or two for it to resume.
- If the dehumidifier has stopped
- If the dehumidifier has already stopped running, you do not need to push the power button. Pull out the bottom tray, and dump the water in a nearby bathroom sink. Reinsert the tray into the dehumidifier, and it should start running immediately.
Baptist Materials Room Dehumidifier
The dehumidifier in the Baptist Materials Room will be different as it does not store water in the machine but pumps water outside. This machine will not need to be emptied, only turned on and off depending on the relative humidity protocol above. At the beginning of the workday and when it is time to do the closing preservation tasks, check the small hose to see if there is any debris that needs to be cleared.
Always check the area around the base of the dehumidifiers for any moisture that has accumulated on the surface or the floor. If you notice any moisture report it immediately to the Archivist or Assistant Archivist.
