Development of a Treatment Plan.

For managers or owners of historic masonry buildings, or agencies responsible for large inventories of graffiti-prone properties, including parks, highway and railroad bridges and viaducts, bus, train and subway stations, and cemeteries, the development of a treatment plan may be the first step toward an effective graffiti-removal program. It is becoming increasingly common for large or important historic properties to have regular maintenance and disaster plans that include graffiti removal.

When feasible, a separate treatment plan should be prepared for each structure. However, if this is not possible, it is advisable to prepare a variety of treatment plans for specific masonry types. Plans should be prepared to cover all types of masonry that fall under one jurisdiction, management or ownership that are potential targets for graffiti.

Guidance contained in treatment plans should be based on the results of carefully controlled testing to remove a wide variety of common graffiti materials safely, and without damaging the various types of masonry. Individual treatment plans should address all parts of the building or structure that could be disfigured by graffiti, and any features too fragile to be cleaned by anyone other than a conservator should be noted on the plan.

A treatment plan is essentially a cleaning specification, but it should also include information on the following:

• the types and conditions of masonry likely to be targeted by graffiti;
• methods, materials and techniques known to work most successfully in the removal of specific types of graffiti from the surface of each type of masonry;
• sources for materials;
• a list of contractors with expertise in graffiti removal, including names, telephone numbers, information on emergency access to the property, and storage location of materials;
• graffiti-removal methods which may be harmful to the masonry surface;
• contractors or consultants who are not acceptable and should not be considered for graffiti removal;
• scaffolding, pumps, or safety equipment that might be required, where it is available, and costs involved; and
• health and safety concerns regarding specific removal treatments, product literature and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).