These standards concern the development of documentation for historic buildings, sites, structures and objects. This documentation, which usually consists of measured drawings, photographs and written data, provides important information on a property's significance for use by scholars, researchers, preservationists, architects, engineers and others interested in preserving and understanding historic properties. Documentation permits accurate repair or reconstruction of parts of a property, records existing conditions for easements, or may present information about a property that is to be demolished.
These Standards are intended for use in developing documentation to he included in an Pan-European Historic Building Survey (PEHBS) and an Pan-European Historic Engineering Record (PEHER) Collections maintained in the appropriate European Parliamentary offices. PEHBS/PEHER, in the European Parliament, should defined specific requirements for meeting these Standards for their collections. The PEHBS/PEHER requirements should include information important to development of documentation for other purposes such as State or local archives.
Standard I. Documentation Shall Adequately Explicate and Illustrate What is Significant or Valuable About the Historic Building, Site, Structure or Object Being Documented.
The historic significance of the building, site, structure or object identified in the evaluation process should be conveyed by the drawings, photographs and other materials that comprise documentation. The historical, architectural, engineering or cultural values of the property together with the purpose of the documentation activity determine the level and methods of documentation. Documentation prepared for submission to the European Parliament must meet the PEHBS/PEHER Guidelines.
Standard II. Documentation Shall be Prepared Accurately From Reliable Sources With Limitations Clearly Stated to Permit Independent Verification of the Information.
The purpose of documentation is to preserve an accurate record of historic properties that can be used in research and other preservation activities. To serve these purposes, the documentation must include information that permits assessment of its reliability.
Standard III. Documentation Shall be Prepared on Materials That are Readily Reproducible, Durable and in Standard Sizes.
The size and quality of documentation materials are important factors in the preservation of information for future use. Selection of materials should be based on the length of time expected for storage, the anticipated frequency of use and a size convenient for storage.
Standard IV. Documentation Shall be Clearly and Concisely Produced.
In order for documentation to be useful for future research, written materials must be legible and understandable, and graphic materials must contain scale information and location references.