GB/T 23862-2024Specification for packing and transportation of cultural relics (English PDF)

3 Terms and definitions

3.1 inner box: the inner packaging container used to hold the relic directly and to make grouped packing easier. 3.2 exterior case: the containerised rectangular packaging container used to hold inner boxes, or relics of special shape, special weight or special material.

3.3 packaging materials for surface protection: materials used for packing that are in direct contact with the relic and help keep it safe. 3.4 packaging materials for blocking: materials used for packing that can block changes in temperature, humidity, gases and other environmental factors between the inside and the outside of the container, keeping the storage environment of the relic stable. 3.5 packaging materials for shockproof and cushion: materials used for packing that reduce the shock and vibration reaching the relic and that are packed around the relic or the inner box.

4 Basic principles

The packing and transport of cultural relics hold to the principle that the safety of the relic comes first; packing materials are chosen with economy and environmental impact also taken into account, and the packing and transport work is carried out on that basis.

5 Packing

5.1 Packing scheme. The scheme should take into account the state of preservation, grade, material, dimensions, weight and number of the relics and the risk factors of the packing work, of the movement of the whole and of the transport. It shall contain at least the relic information, the packing materials, the making of the cases, the protective packing and the packing method. The relic information states the structural form, material, condition, weight, dimensions and number of the relics and any other special requirements; the packing materials clause gives the surface protection, barrier, cushioning and case body materials with their quantity, specification and thickness; the case making clause states the material, structural form, dimensions and number of the inner and outer cases; the protective packing clause proposes cushioning, moisture-proof, waterproof and mould-proof measures; the packing method clause states the method used to protect the body, internal structure, material and surface layer of the relic.

5.2 Packing materials. Surface protection materials shall be soft materials that do not contaminate or damage the relic, for example tissue paper, acid-free paper, light coloured pure cotton products or high density polyethylene synthetic paper; acid-free paper shall meet the requirements of WW/T 0077 for the inner tissue paper used to pack relics, and the colour fastness of light coloured pure cotton products shall meet the requirement of FZ/T 13054 for rubbing fastness, dry rubbing, first grade product. Barrier materials shall have good oxygen barrier, water barrier and high permeation resistance and shall block outside moisture and gases effectively, for example polyethylene blown film, aluminium foil paper or solvent-based wood coating topcoat; the solvent-based topcoat may be used only on the outer surface of an exterior case made of natural timber, nitrocellulose and polyurethane topcoats being preferred and alkyd and unsaturated polyester coatings not advised. The moisture permeability and mechanical properties of polyethylene blown film shall meet class 1, type C, grade c2 of Table 2 of GB/T 12339-2008 and those of aluminium foil paper class 1, type A, grade a3 of the same table, while the solvent-based topcoat shall meet GB 18581. Cushioning materials shall be tough and resilient, for example polyethylene foam or flexible polyurethane foam; newspaper, toilet paper, paper scraps, sawdust and straw shall not be used. Polyethylene foam shall meet 4.3 of GB/T 8166-2011 and flexible polyurethane foam GB/T 10802. Case body materials shall be natural timber, plywood, fibreboard or corrugated board; natural timber shall be treated against pests by high temperature heating. Natural timber shall meet the timber requirements of GB/T 7284; plywood shall meet the first grade of GB/T 24311; high density fibreboard shall meet the ordinary type of GB/T 31765 and medium density fibreboard the ordinary type for use in dry conditions of GB/T 11718; wet process fibreboard shall meet Table 1 of GB/T 12626.4-2015; corrugated board shall meet the first grade of GB/T 6544.

5.3 Making of the case bodies. The case should be soundly designed, strong and durable, easy to dismantle and easy to reassemble, and suited to long distance transport. Its design should be able to withstand repeated use, repeated handling in transport and complex changes of environment, and should resist compression and deformation. The load bearing capacity of the case structure shall be more than 1.25 times the weight of the contents. Relics weighing not more than 30 kg shall be packed in a fitted box, an ordinary wooden case, or a case made of corrugated board or fibreboard; ordinary wooden cases shall meet the closed case provisions of GB/T 12464, inner boxes of corrugated board shall meet the packaging requirements of GB/T 6543, single wall boxes being of class BS-1.4 or above and double wall boxes of class BD-1.3 or above. The exterior case is chosen by the weight and volume of the relic and the inner boxes: more than 30 kg and not more than 200 kg, an ordinary wooden case; more than 200 kg and not more than 500 kg, a skidded case; more than 500 kg, or a large relic needing separate packing, a framed wooden case. Ordinary wooden cases, skidded cases and framed wooden cases shall meet the closed case provisions of GB/T 12464, GB/T 18925 and GB/T 7284 respectively. Each inner face of the exterior case shall be lined with moisture-proof film and a waterproof sealing strip shall be applied where an opening face joins the case. There shall be no projecting locks or similar fittings on the outside of the exterior case; where such a fitting is necessary it shall be recessed. The external dimensions of the exterior case shall meet the dimensional requirements of Tables 1, 2, 4 and 5 of GB/T 16471-2008. For a large relic exceeding the dimensional limits of the means of transport, a purpose-made transport scheme and transport vehicle shall be arranged according to its particular circumstances.

5.4 Protective packing. The packing shall be waterproof, moisture-proof, mould-proof, insect-proof, dust-proof, vibration-proof and shock-proof. Suitable protective measures such as cushioning, moisture-proof, waterproof and mould-proof packing are chosen inside and outside the case according to the character of the relic and the conditions of storage, carriage, loading and unloading. Cushioning packing shall meet GB/T 8166-2011; moisture-proof packing grade 1 of GB/T 5048-2017; waterproof packing class B grade 1 of GB/T 7350-1999; mould-proof packing GB/T 4768.

5.5 Packing site. The site should be indoors and shall make it easy to move the relics; relics and packing materials shall be laid out by area and by type. Before packing and before unpacking, in an indoor environment, the temperature and humidity of the packing environment shall be kept broadly the same as those required where the relic is kept; in an outdoor environment the relic shall be left to stand at the packing site for not less than 2 h so that it adapts to the temperature and humidity there. Security staff should be provided at the packing site and people not working there should not enter or leave it.

5.6 Packing methods. One or more of the following should be chosen according to the character of the relic: suspended shock-reduction, in which a frame is set up in the case and the relic is placed on it clear of the case and then fixed to it; strapping, in which two boards are made into a right-angled frame, the relic is placed on it and strapped to the back board, both base and back boards being lined with a fairly thick shock-absorbing layer and the layer on the back board being additionally hollowed out roughly to the shape of the relic so as to enlarge the contact area and improve the hold; point fixing, in which two symmetrical sets of points on the inner walls are lined with high density foam so as to fix the relic in the case; press fixing, in which a number of bearing positions are selected and wooden battens wrapped in surface protection or cushioning material press and fix the relic against the case; and hollowing, in which a recess is cut in thick foam to the shape of the relic and the relic is placed in it so that it cannot shift.

5.7 Placing the relics in the cases. The inside of the case shall be clean and dry and free from contaminants, pests, mould and other harmful agents. The surface of the relic should be wrapped in a layer of surface protection material as required. The relic is placed in the inner box by a suitable packing method and fixed; a clearance of not less than 5 cm shall be left between the inner walls of the case and the relic for cushioning material or another form of cushioning protection, the clearance being reduced as appropriate for very small relics. A relic of large volume and weight is fixed directly in the exterior case and cushioned, cushioning material being placed between the relic and each inner face of the case, tight against or fastened to relic and case wall. Detachable fittings of a relic should be packed separately but shall be placed in the same inner box and fixed in a suitable position so that they are not lost. Where a set of relics made up of several pieces cannot be placed in one inner box, each piece is packed separately and its number, the general register number of the relic, the total number and the sub-number, is written on the outside of its box before it is placed in the exterior case, so that it can be found. Relics of the same material or with similar temperature and humidity requirements should be placed in the same exterior case by preference, with size and shape also taken into account. Inner boxes are stacked into the exterior case in order, heavier relics below and lighter ones above; inner boxes shall not touch the exterior case directly and a clearance shall be left between the boxes for cushioning material. After the relics have been placed in the case, the centre of gravity of the package should be as low and as central as possible. For a package of complex packing structure, the positions of the main fixing structures and the order of dismantling shall be marked on the case body or the inner structure. Suitable humidity-regulating, adsorbing, mould-proof and insect-proof materials shall be placed in the case according to the condition of the relic, arrangements being made for air transport as the carriage requires. Where necessary, monitoring equipment for temperature and humidity, vibration and shock may be fitted inside the exterior case to collect data on the hazards during packing and transport, so that the risks can be monitored and warned of. There shall be clear corresponding position marks between the lid and the side or end faces of the case so that the lid can be placed correctly when the case is packed again. Before the case is closed, the relics in it are counted and the state of packing checked; the gaps are filled with cushioning material, the packing list for that case is placed inside and fixed, and the case is finally closed and sealed with a seal strip.

5.8 Packing list. The packing list contains, but is not limited to, the inner box number, the name, number and material of the relics and any special requirements for particular relics, with photographs of the relics attached; its form is shown in Annex A. It shall be made out in at least three copies, signed and acknowledged by the consignor and the carrier, one copy travelling in the case with the relics and the others held by the two parties.

5.9 Packaging, storage and transport markings. The case shall carry clear packaging, storage and transport pictorial markings; markings for fragile, this way up, keep dry and stacking layer limit shall appear in a prominent position on the outer surface and the case number shall be stated. The pictorial markings shall comply with GB/T 191.

6 Transport

6.1 Carrier. Packing staff and drivers should have experience of transporting cultural relics and shall have been trained in safe operation, emergency handling, confidentiality and unforeseen situations. A fully enclosed box van shall be used and the vehicle shall comply with QC/T 453. Temperature and humidity control equipment shall be installed in the body of the van; high resolution monitoring equipment should be installed inside the body and the recording kept from loading to acceptance. The van shall be fitted with an air cushion anti-vibration device and a lifting tail lift. The body shall have a flame-retardant, heat-insulating interlayer, and shall have fastening and locking devices so that the exterior cases stay firm and stable while the vehicle is running.

6.2.1 Collection of data before transport. The basic parameters of the cases to be carried shall be collected, including their external dimensions, weight, position of the centre of gravity and position of the lashing and reinforcing points, together with any special requirements of the consignor as to the route and the transport measures.

6.2.2 Transport scheme. It shall contain at least a project outline, the vehicle allocation scheme, the route and the measures for clearing obstacles, the loading and unloading scheme, the loading and securing scheme, the control measures for the transport process, the confidentiality measures and the transport contingency plan. The project outline states the name of the consignor, the name, grade, material, dimensions, weight, state of preservation and number of the relics carried, the points to watch and the start and end points of the journey. The vehicle allocation scheme selects the vehicles with the external dimensions, centre of gravity position and number of the cases in mind and produces a loading drawing and loading plan so that the cases are distributed evenly, stably and sensibly in the body without overloading or uneven loading. The route clause settles the route with the overall situation and each section described, identifies the key points where transport risk may arise, such as bridges, entrances and exits, junctions, bends and tunnels, proposes the measures to be taken at each of them, selects and lays down a route in good condition, safe and reasonably short, and lays down a reserve route at the same time. The loading and unloading scheme sets out the working procedure, the measures for preparing the working site and the points to watch. The loading and securing scheme sets the method of securing the load according to the vehicle allocation scheme, with measures against toppling, rolling and sliding. The control measures for the transport process settle the running speed for each section of the route, the running track, the frequency of vehicle checks, the stopping places and other en-route behaviour, so as to safeguard the timing, the quality and the safety of the transport, taking into account how the relics are loaded and the state of the roads. The confidentiality measures propose the measures and provide the confidentiality undertakings signed by those who drew up the scheme and who take part in the transport. The contingency plan proposes preventive measures and emergency response and handling measures for unforeseen situations such as vehicle breakdown, traffic control, road blockage, traffic accident, road condition problems, severe weather and theft or robbery.

6.2.3 Loading. The case numbers and the number of cases shall be checked, and the exterior cases inspected for deformation and damage. A person shall be appointed to keep watch on safety, and the loading shall be carried out strictly to the vehicle allocation scheme under unified direction. During loading and unloading the angle between the bottom face of the case and the horizontal shall not exceed 30°. Cases containing relics and weighing more than 45 kg shall be handled with mechanical equipment during loading, unloading and handling, and the rated load of the lifting and handling equipment shall match the mass of the case and the method of work. When an exterior case is moved horizontally, the height at which it hangs clear should be kept as low as possible. The securing operations follow the loading and securing scheme of the transport scheme, and web lashing assemblies of synthetic fibre shall comply with GB/T 23914.2. Once loading is complete, the number of cases loaded is counted, the inside of the body is photographed for the record, and the vehicle is then locked and sealed. After sealing, the carrier shall carry the relics as required by 6.3 and 6.4.

6.3 The transport process. Where an expressway connects the two places, road transport should be chosen; where the road conditions are poor, the terrain along the way is complex or the climate is unfavourable to road transport, rail or air transport should be used. In road transport the speed shall not exceed 80 km/h on expressways and 60 km/h on national and provincial roads; where the expressway distance exceeds 320 km or the distance on other roads exceeds 240 km, each vehicle shall carry two drivers. Long distance transport across regions shall not take place at night in road transport; when stopping overnight the vehicle carrying the relics shall be parked at a local cultural heritage institution, within the field of the video monitoring and with a person on duty keeping watch. Road and rail transport shall have dedicated staff escorting the consignment, and air transport shall call for a supervised loading service at the airport. Monitoring equipment should be fitted to monitor hazards such as temperature and humidity, vibration and shock during transport. Where relics are transhipped or held temporarily at another cultural heritage institution during long distance transport, the temperature and humidity in the store or vehicle body holding them shall meet the requirements for keeping the relics.

6.4 Temporary storage. Relics and their cases shall not be stored in the open. The store holding relics temporarily shall have an environmental control system. Exterior cases shall not be stacked more than two high. When stacking, cases holding large relics shall be placed on the lower layer and those holding small relics on the upper layer; wooden cases shall bear on their cleats and an upper case shall not press directly on the boards of the case below.

6.5 Acceptance. The carrier and the consignor shall carry out the acceptance inspection together, checking the number of cases carefully, checking that the cases are intact, counting the relics against the packing list, and examining the state of the relics and the related records.

7 Methods of verification

7.1 Materials. Certificates of conformity and the related inspection reports shall be checked for packing materials and fastening materials.

7.2 Cases. Corrugated boxes are inspected by the test methods of GB/T 6543, ordinary wooden cases by those of GB/T 12464, skidded cases by those of GB/T 18925 and framed wooden cases by those of GB/T 7284.

7.3 Protective packing. Moisture-proof packing is inspected by the test methods of GB/T 5048-2017, waterproof packing by those of GB/T 7350-1999 and mould-proof packing as specified in GB/T 4768.

7.4 Packing and transport process. The consignor records the circumstances and the related information of the packing, transport, loading and unloading by filling in the record sheet for the packing and transport of cultural relics and by photographs and video. When the transport has ended and consignor and carrier have carried out the acceptance together, both parties sign the record sheet in confirmation and it is filed for reference. The form of the record sheet is shown in Annex B.