EN 17543:2021

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2021
Ohranjanje kulturne dediščine - Zidne obloge gradbene dediščine - Preiskovanje in
dokumentiranje
Conservation of Cultural Heritage - Finishes of built heritage - Investigation and
documentation
Erhaltung des kulturellen Erbes - Oberflächenausführungen des gebauten Erbes -
Untersuchung und Dokumentation
Conservation du patrimoine culturel - Finitions du patrimoine bâti - Investigation et
documentation
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 17543:2021
ICS:
97.195 Umetniški in obrtniški izdelki. Items of art and handicrafts.
Kulturne dobrine in kulturna Cultural property and
dediščina heritage
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 17543
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2021
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 97.195
English Version
Conservation of Cultural Heritage - Finishes of built
heritage - Investigation and documentation
Conservation du patrimoine culturel - Finitions du Erhaltung des kulturellen Erbes -
patrimoine bâti - Investigation et documentation Oberflächenausführungen des gebauten Erbes -
Untersuchung und Dokumentation
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 28 June 2021.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 17543:2021 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Overview of the investigation process . 8
5 Preparation . 9
5.1 Project brief . 9
5.2 Commissioning . 10
6 Execution . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Archival investigation . 11
6.3 Period chart . 11
6.4 On-site investigation . 11
6.4.1 Initial survey . 11
6.4.2 Exposures of finishes . 11
6.4.3 Sampling . 12
6.5 Laboratory investigation . 12
6.5.1 Microscopic examination of cross-sections . 12
6.5.2 Advanced material analysis . 13
6.6 Colour evaluation . 13
6.7 Synthesis of results and conclusion . 13
7 Reporting . 14
7.1 General . 14
7.2 Contents of the report. 14
7.3 Further agreements . 15
Annex A (informative) Example of period chart . 16
Annex B (informative) Interpretation of cross-sections . 17
Bibliography . 18

European foreword
This document (EN 17543:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 346 “Conservation
of Cultural Heritage”, the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2022, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by February 2022.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
Throughout its existence, built heritage is subject to continuous change and alteration. The most frequent
changes have been the repeated refurbishment and redecoration of interiors and exterior architectural
surfaces, carried out in response to a wide range of factors: developments in decorative fashions, changes
in the functions of rooms, changes in the wealth of successive occupants and owners, the need to revive
an old and worn painted decoration or simply maintenance. The investigation on built heritage finishes
provides a systematic method of understanding these changes. It offers insights into the appearance of
original and later schemes and may provide dates for the application of specific finishes.
The purpose of the investigation can be to locate, identify, interpret and, if possible, date current and
previous finishes. Such investigations help to deepen our general knowledge of the significance of the
area under investigation, its history and alterations, and also to assess its condition and to plan for future
conservation and presentation, taking account of aesthetic considerations. These investigations should
be looked upon as an integral part of the documentation and investigation process on built heritage.
The aim of each investigation may vary considerably in scope and complexity. While this document offers
a framework, it should be recognized that every finish offers a different challenge to an investigation and
interpretation. The presence of wall paintings will be recorded, although the investigation and
documentation of wall paintings themselves is beyond the scope of this standard.
While the focus of this document is the investigation of finishes in and on buildings, the techniques
described are commonly employed on other heritage objects.
The expertise required to carry out such investigations should be in line with the objectives and
challenges. Multidisciplinary professionals involved in this field are drawn from a wide range of
backgrounds, including conservation, science, art history, architecture, building archaeology, and
painting and decorating crafts.
In some countries, the investigation and documentation of finishes, is known as Architectural Paint
Research (APR).
It is the aim of this document to define common principles and best practice for the investigation on built
heritage finishes.
1 Scope
This document defines best practice when investigating finishes on built heritage, with the aim of
establishing existing schemes by collecting data and processing findings. It applies to finishes that can be
decorative or protective, on buildings and their interiors, as well as other built heritage, but explicitly
excludes the category of wall paintings.
This document applies to the planning and execution of such investigations with documentation
throughout. It can be used as a process reference for stakeholders involved in the investigation of built
heritage.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 16085:2012, Conservation of Cultural property - Methodology for sampling from materials of cultural
property - General rules
EN 16853:2017, Conservation of cultural heritage - Conservation process - Decision making, planning and
implementation
EN 17429:2020, Conservation of cultural heritage - Procurement of conservation services and works
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
architectural element
designed part of a building
Note 1 entry: “architectural element” has a wider meaning, but in this standard refers to a elements of a building,
such as skirting, panel, door, column, pillar, etc.
3.2
built heritage
immovable and movable standing structures which have an architectural, cultural or historic value
EXAMPLES: buildings, railings, street furniture, vehicles, industrial artefacts, ships, boats, furniture
3.3
conservation
measures and actions aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage while respecting its significance,
including its accessibility to present and future generations
Note 1 to entry: Conservation includes preventive conservation, remedial conservation and restoration.
Note 2 to entry: The term “preservation” is also used, e.g. in libraries and archives.
Note 3 to entry: All conservation actions are based on documentary and/or material evidence.
[SOURCE: EN 15898:2019, 3.3.1]
3.4
cross-section
sample material cut perpendicularly to the surface of the last layer
3.5
cultural heritage
tangible and intangible entities of significance to present and future generations
[SOURCE: EN 15898:2019, 3.1.1]
3.6
documentation
recorded information created, collected, held and maintained for the purpose of present and future
conservation and for reference
EXAMPLES: drawings, photographs, written reports, scientific data
Note 1 to entry: This term can also refer to the process itself.
Note 2 to entry: Documentation of all stages of conservation is an essential part of the overall process of
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