SAN JOSE, Calif. - Echelon Corp. announced that New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is using a state-of-the-art building automation system (BAS) based on Echelon's networks to protect its priceless art collection from environmental damage by maintaining ideal environmental conditions. MoMA's permanent collection includes 150,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, design objects, and other works of art from such masters as Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dali, and Henri Matisse.

With more than 1.6 million visitors annually, controlling the climate inside the museum and protecting artwork from ensuing damage is a major concern. Humidity and temperature fluctuations, as well as light, UV radiation, and gaseous pollution, can be extremely harmful to sensitive older pieces. The museum temperature must be maintained at precisely 22.2ÞC (72ÞF), and the humidity kept stable at 50 percent, around the clock, even in the face of very heavy visitor traffic.

MoMA chose T.E.C. Systems Inc., a LonWorks BAS specialist, to create a monitoring and control system linking all mechanical and electrical equipment within the museum complex. A single graphics-oriented operator terminal provides facility managers with a comprehensive view of all building systems. The BAS uses LonWorks-based interoperable products and Echelon's network management software to integrate security, HVAC, lighting, and fire detection/suppression systems.