A museum display case is a precision instrument, not furniture. Once an object is inside, the case becomes its environment: it controls humidity swings, filters light, buffers vibration and, in the event of a leak or failure, decides whether an artifact survives. That is why acceptance inspection matters more than any other step in procurement. A case that arrives with a 1.2 mm gap where the seal should be flush, or a cassette that shifts 0.5 mm under load, will not fail dramatically on day one. It will fail quietly over 18 months, and the evidence will be found on the object. This checklist is the working sequence we recommend before signing off any new vitrine, whether you are receiving one unit or a full gallery fit-out.
Prepare the Inspection Before Delivery
Inspection quality depends on what you set up beforehand. Confirm the gallery temperature and relative humidity are stable within target ranges (for most mixed collections, 45–55 percent RH at 18–22 degrees Celsius) for at least 48 hours before installation. You cannot judge a case’s microclimate in a room that is still drying out. Have the drawings, fire rating certificates, glass specifications and the packing list on hand. Assign two people: one to inspect and one to record. Photograph every finding with a scale reference, and time-stamp it. If a supplier such as Libafang ships from abroad, request the factory inspection report and third-party glass certificates in advance so you can compare delivered units against documented benchmarks rather than assumptions.
The Structure and Seal Integrity Inspection
The frame is only as good as its weakest joint. Walk the entire perimeter with a flashlight held at a low angle; light will reveal gaps that the eye misses. Run a feeler gauge along every seal line and record any point where a 0.5 mm gauge passes freely. Check that all corner welds and mechanical fixings are flush and that doors or drawers close to a uniform gap, typically within 1 mm along the full edge. Open and close every access point at least 20 times in sequence to check alignment under repeated use. On cases with removable cassettes or trays, load them to the rated weight (commonly 25–50 kg for a standard drawer system) and confirm no deflection exceeds the manufacturer’s stated limit.
Microclimate and Air Exchange Performance
Moisture and vapour control is where display cases fail most often. Verify that gaskets are continuous and compress as specified, and confirm the location and condition of the desiccant or active climate control system. Where passive buffering is used, request a measured leak rate, ideally stated in air exchanges per day. Where active control is installed, run it for 24 hours and log temperature and RH at 15-minute intervals; look for stability within plus or minus 3 percent RH before the object goes in. Confirm that any sensor penetrations are sealed after calibration and that the data logger readings can be exported.
Glazing, Finishes and Optical Checks
Glass quality is straightforward to inspect if you do it properly. Stand about one metre away with the case lit and look for distortion, ripple, scratches or fingerprints trapped in the lamination. Check the edge polish and confirm the glass specification printed on the certificate matches the delivered panels. On anti-reflective glazing, note any colour shift at oblique angles; some coatings introduce a mild tint that alters how a painting or textile reads. Inspect internal surfaces and paintwork under raking light, and verify that all surfaces contacting objects are inert and free of adhesive residue.
Lighting, Electrical Safety and Security Checks
Lighting is where conservation risk and presentation quality meet. Record measured illuminance at the object plane with a calibrated meter, and confirm the case cannot exceed the agreed limits for the collection. Check that diffusers are fitted, that there is no visible flicker, and that heat output from lamps does not push internal temperatures more than 2 degrees Celsius above the room. On the electrical side, verify earth continuity, insulation resistance and that all cable entries are sealed and strain-relieved. Security hardware should be tested, not assumed: magnetic locks, tamper switches and alarm contacts should respond within one second of triggering, and the case should require deliberate force to defeat.
Final Acceptance Documentation
Sign-off should be a short, disciplined process. Work through the following before releasing final payment:
- Photograph each case at manufacturer’s plate and any damage found on arrival.
- Record all dimensional deviations against the drawings, including door gaps and level tolerances.
- Attach climate, illuminance and electrical test results to the delivery file.
- Confirm spare gaskets, keys, tools and desiccant packs are handed over.
- Obtain the manufacturer’s warranty documents and maintenance schedule.
- Raise a written snag list with a dated deadline for each item.
- Re-inspect every corrected item rather than accepting verbal assurance.
- Archive the final signed checklist with the object installation records.
None of these checks takes more than a day for a typical gallery, and each one closes a failure mode that is expensive to fix after an object is inside. If you are sourcing cases and want a specification you can inspect against, the Libafang team works from documented test data and can align a custom build to your conservation and security requirements.
Request a free design and quote from us, and we will send you a sample acceptance checklist with your proposal so your team knows exactly what to verify before any artifact goes into the case.
