OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

9. Housekeeping Permitted Action Schedule
Part C – Implementation Tools
138 Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
7 EMERGENCY TREATMENTS
Please contact the Heritage Section in the first instance when an emergency affecting the heritage
collection or heritage fabric is noticed and refer to the Disaster Management Plan for Actions.
7.1 WET SPILLS
■■Pertains to wet spills on wood and rubber floors, carpeted areas and furniture.
■■All spills must be cleaned up immediately to avoid damage.
■■Excess liquid should be removed using a clean sponge and cotton cloths.
■■On wood and rubber floors the area should be damp mopped.
■■On carpet a damp clean sponge should be dabbed on the surface until it is clean.
■■On leather the surface should be wiped with a damp clean cloth.
■■A clean cotton rag or sponge should then be used to remove as much liquid as possible.
7.2 CHEWING GUM
Chewing gum can safely be removed from all wood and rubber surfaces using the following method:
■■Rub chewing gum with a block of ice sealed in a plastic bag or a sealed freezer block
(like you use in eskies). Wait until the chewing gum freezes and can be chipped off
the surface with a wooden spatula, taking care not to scratch the surface.
■■Do not use ice directly on any heritage surface as the pooling water can damage the finish.
■■A conservator should be contracted to remove chewing gum from the surface of leather.
7.3 GRAFFITI
■■Applied media graffiti (eg: texta, ink, paint etc) should be removed as soon as possible.
■■Contact OPH Heritage staff immediately
■■If the media is still wet, absorb the excess media by pressing the surface with blotting paper or clean
micro fibre cloths. Change the blotting paper very regularly to avoid further contamination of the area.
■■Do not attempt any further removal without the aid of a conservator.