ICS 97.195  
 
Reference number  
DRS 451-2: 2020  
© RSB 2020  
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS  
451-2  
 
First edition  
2020 -mm-dd 
 
Conservation of cul tural heritage  —Part 2 
General requirements  for design of 
showcases for exhibition and preservation 
of cultural property  
  
DRS  451-2: 2020  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  ii 
 In order to match with technological development and to keep continuous progress in industries, 
standards are subject to periodic review. Users shall ascertain that they are in possession of the latest 
edition  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© RSB 2020  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized 
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without 
prior written permission from R SB. 
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E-mail: info@rsb.gov.rw  
Website: www.rsb.gov.rw  
ePortal: www.portal.rsb.gov.rw   DRS  451-2: 2020  
iii                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  1 
4 Functions and Criteria for design or selection of a showcase  ................................ ................  3 
4.1 Functions of the showcase  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
4.2 Criteria for design or selection of a showcase  ................................ ................................ .........  3 
5 Construction of the showcase  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4 
5.1 Components of the showcase  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4 
5.1.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  4 
5.1.2  Display space  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  5 
5.1.3  Technical compartments  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  5 
5.1.4  Base and mounting of the showcase  ................................ ................................ .........................  5 
5.1.5  Lining of the display space and supports for the object  ................................ .........................  6 
5.2 Characteristics of constituent materials  ................................ ................................ ....................  6 
5.2.1  Contact with or interaction between objects and the materials of the showcase should be 
carefully considered. ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  6 
5.3 Assembly and fixing  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  6 
5.4 Security and safety  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  6 
6 Management of the environmental conditions  ................................ ................................ ..........  7 
6.1 Microclimate  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
6.1.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  7 
6.1.2  The indoor climate of the room and the microclimate in the showcase  ................................  7 
6.2 Lighting  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  8 
6.2.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  8 
6.2.2  Management of light  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  8 
6.3 Pollutants, dust and microorganisms  ................................ ................................ ........................  9 
7 Location of use and maintenance of the showcase  ................................ ................................ . 9 
7.1 Location of use of the showcase  ................................ ................................ ................................  9 
7.2 Maintenance of the showcase  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 9 
 DRS  451-2: 2020  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  iv 
 Foreword   
Rwanda Standard s are prepared  by Technical Committees and approved by R wanda Standards Board (RSB) 
Board  of Directors in  accordance with the procedures of RSB, in compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT 
agreement on the preparation, adoption and application of standards.  
The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards.  Final Draft Rwanda S tandards adopted 
by Technical committ ees are ratified  by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and gazettment as 
Rwanda Standards.  
DRS nnn-2 was prepared by  Technical Committee RSB/TC 033, Tourism and hospitality . 
In the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following standard s: 
KS 2814: 2018: Conservation cultural property — Guidelines for design of showcases for exhibition and 
preservation  of objects — General requirements  
The assistance de rived from the above source is hereby acknowledged with thanks.  
Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Tourism and Hospitality (RSB/TC 
033) in the preparation of this standard.  
Ministry of Youth and Culture  
Institute of N ational Museum of Rwanda  
Commission for the Fight against Genocide  
Rwanda Development Board  
Standards for Sustainability  
Rwanda Development Board  
International Tours and Travel L td 
Life Long Education Group Ltd  
Lemigo Hotel  
I3-Consultancy Ltd   
Rwanda  Standards Board  (RSB) – Secretariat   DRS  451-2: 2020  
1                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Conservation of cultural heritage  — Part 2  
General requirements for d esign of showcases for exhibition and 
preservation of cultural property  
1 Scope   
This Committee D raft specifies general requirements  for design of showcase for safe and secure displa y of 
cultural heritage objects by reducing environmental interaction and complying with the requirements for better 
preservation.  
2 Normative references   
There are no normative references in this  document   
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this stan dard, the follow ing terms and definitions apply  
3.1  
accessibility  
physical capability of intervention in a showcase for such purposes as handling of an object, technical 
intervention and maintenance  
3.2  
air exchange  
airflow through gaps and small ope nings of the display space to the  outside of the closed showcase  
3.3  
buffer  
material, which resists change of relative humidity, acidity, or pollutants concentration by absorbing or desorbing 
vapours, gases or ions  
3.4  
display space  
space  in the showcase where the objects are displayed and which may contain other elements such as panels, 
supports, graphics, monitoring equipment etc   
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 3.5 
 indoor climate  
description of climate inside the building relevant to the preservation of an object or  to human comfort  
3.6  
microclimate  
climate in the display space of the showcase  
3.7  
mounting  
action or set of actions undertaken to allow an object to be supported or fixed  
3.8 
 pollutants  
gaseous or particulate chemical contaminants induced into th e environment, which can generate corrosion, 
incrustation, colour fading, soiling, deterioration or other forms of damage to the object on display  
3.9  
safety  
pertaining to human health, in the context of enclosures, ensuring they are physically stable an d cannot topple, 
have safety glass that cannot be broken easily, do not generate atmospheres within them that are hazardous 
to health during usage or similar  
3.10  
security  
protection against theft and physical damage   
3.11  
showcase  
enclosure of any di mension, designed to protect, preserve and display objects in specific safe and secure 
conditions  
NOTE  The term “display case” is sometimes used as a synonym.  
3.12  DRS  451-2: 2020  
3                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 support  
construction, material or device to hold and support an object without interference or damage and designed to 
provide stability to an object  
4 Functions  and Criteria for design or selection of a showcase  
4.1 Functions of the showcase  
4.1.1  Showcase shall display an object.  
4.1.2  Showcase shall protect an object . 
4.1.3  Showcase sha ll preserve  and minimize damage to and deterioration of an object.  
4.2 Criteria for design or selection of a showcase  
The design, the adaptation or the choice of a showcase shall be determined by the nature of the objects, the 
characteristics of the exhibition area and by the need of showing an object in safe and secure conditions, while 
at the same time providing the con ditions needed for the preservation of the object.  
NOTE  It is necessary to take into account:  
a) the characteristics of the object:  
1) dimensions (height, width, depth) and weight,  
2) physical, chemical, and structural nature,  
3) brittleness and sensitivity in rel ation to its past material history,  
4) monetary value and the attractiveness of the object for thieves;  
b) Management policies for collections and objects:  
1) frequency of turnover or rotation of objects between storage and display,  
2) duration of exhibition,  
3)  handling of objects,  
4)  maintenance of the showcase and emergency planning;  
c) maintenance and interior cleaning of the showcase as this shall be safe and easy to carry out without danger 
to the objects;   
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 d) placement of the object in the context of the exhibition;  
e) the design and display requirements, including aesthetic considerations relevant to the appearance and the 
viewers’ perceptions of the content;  
f) the showcase and the public in relation to stability , safety, security, sufficient space for circulation, lighting;  
g)  environmental characteristics of the area, where the showcase will be located:  
1)  room,  
2) building,  
3) geographical environment ( e.g. vibrations from traffic, seismic activity, flooding);  
h) the pl acing or removal of the object observing security and without risk to the object itself, nearby objects 
or the staff;  
i)  sustainability:  
1) the future use of the showcase, including its usability for other displays, whether complete or by using 
its components .  
2) the carbon footprint of its materials and production processes,  
3) the suitability of systems and components for maintaining the required environmental criteria (e.g. use 
of fans or other air conditioning devices or the re -conditioning of buffer materials).  
5 Construction  of the showcase  
5.1 Components of the showcase  
5.1.1  General  
A showcase should consist  of:  
a) a display space for the objec ts, including security devices;  
b) technical compartments with devices for control of environmental factors (lighting, microclimate, pollutan ts, 
etc.), and security devices;   
NOTE  A showcase should c onsist of one or more technical compartments.  
c) a base or mounting of the showcase to ensure stability; and  
d) lining of the display space and supports for the object.  DRS  451-2: 2020  
5                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 5.1.2  Display space  
5.1.2.1 The display space presenting the object shall be  surrounded by walls, of which at leas t one 
(minimum) is transparent.  
5.1.2.2 The dimensions of the display space shall take  into account the size of the object, its preservation 
needs, supports and mountings, the accessibility and other exhibition element s such as panels and graphics, 
etc.  
5.1.2.3 The contact between the leaf, door or opening panel and the frame shall maintain  an appropriate 
seal.  
5.1.2.4 The opening shall give  sufficient access to the display space for safe handling of the objects and 
maintenance of the display space. The showcase shall remain stable during opening and when it is fully opened.  
5.1.2.5 The display space shall provide  room for the installation of sensors/devices to monitor the 
microclimate or other internal environmental factors and facilitate the collection of data.  
5.1.2.6 Display space shall  be secure.  
5.1.3  Technical compartments  
5.1.3.1 The technical compartments shall be  defined as that part of the showcase, where the required 
devices dedicated to control of environment al factors (lighting, microclimate, pollutants, etc.), and security are 
located.  
5.1.3.3 The technical compartment (excluding compartment for buffer materials and climate control 
devices) shall be isolated from the display space and the objects.  
NOTE  In order to reduce the risk of transfer of heat, pollutants or vibrations produced by components in the technical 
compartment (light, climate, etc.), it should be isolated from the display case. If necessary, it has its own ventilation.  
5.1.3.4 The techni cal compartments may  be accessed separately for maintenance without allowing access 
to the display space.  
5.1.4  Base and mounting of the showcase  
5.1.4.1 The base shall be strong and large enough to ensure the stability and balance of the showcase. If 
this is not possible, the showcase shall be fixed to the floor or the wall or shall be weighted to increase stability.  
NOTE  Mounting of the showcase takes into account the weight of the showcase, its contents and the quality of the 
substrate (e.g. wall or floor).  
5.1.4.2 The base, plinth or any other form of mounting shall limit vibrations transmitted from floors or walls 
into the display space.   
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 5.1.5  Lining of the display space and supports for the object  
5.1.5.1 All linings and supports in the display space should be chemically stable, if relevant pre -tested for 
non- emission of harmful vapours and be easy to maintain and/or replace.  
5.1.5.2 The supports shall maintain the physical integrity and chemical stability  of the objects, without 
exerting undue pressure, tension or torque. The object together with its support shall be stable by using a system 
of fixing that holds the objects static even in case of vibrations.  
5.1.5.3 The contact between the object and the s upport shall be insulated with an intermediate material of 
appropriate density and texture.  
5.2 Characteristics of constituent materials  
5.2.1 Contact with or interaction between objects and the materials of the showcase should be carefully 
considered.  
NOTE  Not all materials are suitable for long -term use with objects.  
5.2.2 The materials shall not react with objects. The materials used to construct the showcase, e.g. the 
structure, glazing, inserts, varnishes, sealants, adhesives, paints, textiles, etc. shall be selected on the basis of 
professionally recognized materials tes ting protocols or, less reliable, by checking any available documentation 
(e.g. compliance certificates, technical reports).  
NOTE  The criteria to be considered according to the conditions under which the objects are put t ogether with the 
materials are:  
a) contact  between objects and materials;  
b) the confined environment of the showcase with reduced air exchange  between the inside and outside.  
5.3.4 Where harmful vapours emitted by materials or by objects present in the showcase may 
accumulate. The constitutin g materials should be carefully considered and selected. Organic glazing materials 
(mainly polymethyl methacrylate) and some others products are electrostatic and shall not be used for objects 
with pulverulent surfaces and avoided in case of dusty environm ents or dusty exhibits.  
5.3  Assembly and fixing  
After the final assembly of a showcase, mainly where adhesives, sealants, varnishes, coatings or paints h ave 
been used, appropriate time shall be given in order to ensure pr oper curing time and degassing.  
Note  This is done in order to avoid chemical pollut ion inside the display space.  
5.4 Security and safety  
5.4.1 The assembly of the showcase shall preserve the same degree of resistance as that of the glazing.  DRS  451-2: 2020  
7                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 5.4.2 The non -glazed parts shall have a mechanical res istance at least equivalent to the resistance of glazing. 
When the leaf is located on a side, accessible to the public, it should be closed by a secure system.  
5.4.3 Antitheft screws should be used to secure the display space and they shall not be dismoun table with 
commonly available hand -tools.  
5.4.4 If the showcase can be lifted and easily carried away, it should be securely fixed.  
5.4.5 The choice of glazing should be made according to the level of security required by the objects.  
5.4.6 In case of particularly attractive collections or collections of high value, the showcase shall be equipped 
with a certified shock or warning device.  
NOTE  The alarm should be an acoustic alarm, an independent alarm or an alarm using cable or radio links t o the 
centralized warning system of the establishment.  
5.4.7 Security and safety should be enhanced by the fixing of the showcase to the floor or to a wall.  
NOTE  It is necessary to take into account the balance between security and safety and emergency r emovals in case 
of fire, flooding or other natural or human caused disasters.   
6 Management of the environmental conditions  
6.1 Microclimate  
6.1.1  General  
6.1.1.1 The display space in a showcase constitutes a microclimate, which shall be assessed and 
controlled, and, if required, permanently monitored.  
6.1.1.2  The temperature and relative humidity levels required by objects located in the same showcase 
shall be sim ilar or at least compatible; for that reason objects with very different requirements shall not be 
installed in the same showcase.  
6.1.1.3  Where appropriate, the materials used in construction of the showcase shall be allowed to 
acclimatize before  use. 
6.1.2  The indoor climate of the room and the microclimate in the showcase  
6.1.2.1  When the microclimate of the showcase needs to be different from the indoor climate of the room, 
the s ealing shall be tight and the showcase shall be equipped with passive or active  control devices, which 
makes it possible to adjust and maintain selected levels of temperature and relative humidity.  
6.1.2.2  The climate control shall be designed after assessing the environmental factors in the room and in 
the showcase, including monit oring of relative humidity and temperature.   
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 6.1.2.3  Active control equipment, such as dehumidifiers, humidifiers and air -conditioning units require an 
electric supply and may also need water supply or means of automatic water management. Periodic 
maintena nce is necessary and should be planned.  
6.1.2.4  Passive control involves the use of buffering materials and/or thermal insulation. Periodic 
maintenance is also necessary and should be planned.  
6.1.2.5  Buffering material should  be placed within the displa y space or in a technical compartment.  
NOTE  The capacity of the compartment and the type and quantity of buffering material will depend on the volume of 
air within the case and on the range of acceptable relative humidity variability.  
6.1.2.6  A way of co ntrolling the flow of air between the display space and the technical compartment shall 
be provided.  
6.1.2.7  Facilitati ng the replacement of buffers should be  envisaged as part of the design of a new showcase 
or as an improvement of an existing showcase. The installation of the buffers is done at the time of closing of 
the showcase.  
6.1.2.8  Buffers should be used by exposing them with the largest possible exch ange surface to allow that 
excess moisture in kair is adequately absorbed or, vice -versa, released from the buffer to the air.   
6.2 Lighting  
6.2.1  General  
6.2.1.1 The sensitivity of objects to visible light, infrared and ultraviolet radiation should be considered 
when choosing lighting in the showcase. The type of light, the conditions (site, power and exhibition time), and 
other characteristics may differ from one case to another.  
6.2.1.2 In the case of a system which produces heat, this equipment shall be locate d outside the showcase 
or in a technical compartment (preferably above the display case), correctly ventilated, without any contact with 
the display space volume to avoid any diffusion of heat into this space.  
6.2.2  Management of light  
In the case of a showcas e with artificial light,  the exposure time and the level of lighting  should be controlled by 
using a light control system and dimmable lamps. If vis ual discomfort exists, this should be avoided by using 
anti-reflection or anti -glare panes or by appropriate  choice of the light sources and their position.  
6.2.2.1  Follow -up and maintenance of light  
In order to ensure a consistent quality of the light and to reduce maintenance and handling, light sources with 
long life span (e.g. electroluminescent diodes, fluorescen t tubes with UV filters or fibre optic systems) should 
be used.  DRS  451-2: 2020  
9                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 6.3 Pollutants, dust and microorganisms  
6.3.1  If necessary, the display space or the technical compartment shall include materials to absorb gaseous 
pollutants from the outside or volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the showcase, or objects. this absorption 
shall be made with passive devices, e.g. a ctivated carbon, activated alumina, textiles containing micro particles 
of metal, or via adapted filters and a forced circulation of the air in the showcase.  
6.3.2  Periodic maintenance for the substitution of absorbing materials is necessary and should be planned 
for.  
6.3.3  Dust shall be controlled by using a showcase with a low air exchange rate or, in the case of a forced air 
circulation in the showcase, with appropriate f ilters. Mould growth shall be controlled by means of an appropriate 
level of  relative humidity.  
6.3.4  The display space shall have trap s for pest management and shall periodically be emptied to avoid 
attraction of other pests.      
7 Location and maintenanc e of the showcase  
7.1 Location of the showcase  
7.1.1 The showcase shall be located in an appropriate and safe position, which does not affect the 
microclimate, the concentration of pollutants or the lighting level in the display space.  
7.1.2 The location of the showcase should provide stability. The showcase should not obstruct the flow of 
visitors, the movement of equipment or emergency procedures.  
7.2 Maintenance of the showcase  
Periodic maintenance of showcases should be planned in order to v erify the conditions of the case, gaskets and 
other materials that could reduce the efficiency of the showcase. In particular, aged gaskets and poorly fitting 
doors may increase the air exchange rate dramatically over time . 
   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  10 
 Bibliography  
[1] ISO 11799: 2015 Information and documentation — Document storage requirements for archive and library  
materials, 2015  
[2] BS EN 16893:2018 Conservation of cultural heritage — Specifications for location, construction and 
modification of buildings or rooms intended for the storage or use of heritage  
[3] RS 0: 2019 Standard for Standards, 2019  
 DRS  451-2: 2020  
 
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