Commonly Asked Questions
What is Thermal Imaging?
Infrared or infrared thermography or Thermal Imaging is the science of infrared imaging. Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects based on their temperatures, thermography makes it possible to "see" one's environment with or without visible illumination. The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with temperature; therefore thermography allows one to see variations in temperature.
Infrared thermography cameras produce images of invisible infrared or "heat" radiation and provide precise non-contact temperature measurement capabilities. Nearly everything gets hot before it fails, making infrared cameras extremely cost-effective, valuable diagnostic tools in many diverse applications. And as industry strives to improve manufacturing efficiencies, manage energy, improve product quality, and enhance worker safety, new applications for infrared cameras continually emerge.
How will Thermography Help me or my company? Why should i use Infrared?
A picture says a thousand words; infrared thermography is the only diagnostic technology that lets you instantly visualize and verify thermal performance. Infrared cameras show you thermal problems; quantify them with precise non-contact temperature measurement.
Preliminary audit is concluded with report that includes simple classification of data and identification of potential areas of energy conservation.
Nearly everything that uses or transmits power gets hot before it fails. Cost effective power management is critical to maintaining the reliability of your electrical and mechanical systems. And today, no one would argue that infrared thermography is the most effective proven predictive maintenance available to quickly, accurately and safely locate problems prior to failure. Finding and fixing a poor electrical connection before a component fails can save you the much greater costs associated with manufacturing downtime, production losses, power outages, fires and catastrophic failures and a invaluable tool for acquisition of property.
How Do you prepare for a Thermography Inspections?
To achieve the maximum benefit of your infrared inspection, please follow these tips prior to the inspection.
- Plan optimal times of day for your infrared inspection with us — this could mean an inspection at dawn or dusk.
For example, if we’re inspecting a flat roof, the added heat from strong sunlight beaming onto any flat roof surface will reduce the effectiveness of our thermal scan. So planning accordingly (in this particular situation, we would expect to book an early evening inspection), will give you much better infrared results.
• To achieve the best thermal images of your site, we need you to clear away any large pictures, furniture and appliances from the outermost interior walls so that they are not affecting the walls’ performance. IMPORTANT: Please do not wait until we arrive at your house before you decide to move your furniture and bedding away from the walls. We would like you to get every portion of your walls conditioned for at least one hour, in order locate any concealed defects. Having furniture up against the wall will not allow the entire wall to be conditioned and the infrared readings will be affected. Unconditioned portions of the walls (where your furniture was placed) will always appear to be defective. Conditioned air will not pass through furniture.
We are unable to move personal belongings due to liability reasons, so please make sure that the majority of your walls are clearly visible to the camera. Any blocked areas could conceal hidden issues.
• Remove drapes if possible and open all your closet doors in order to condition the closet. Conditioning your closets will assist us in identifying any exterior wall defects.
• Make sure that every window and door is completely closed several hours before the infrared inspection takes place. Indoor and outdoor temperatures must vary by at least ten to fifteen degrees Celsius for optimum infrared results.
It's crucial to obtain adequate temperature differentials between the outside and inside temperatures, in order to obtain a perfect environment for infrared imaging. If the temperature differential is not adequate, this may require you to turn "UP" the heat (in the winter months) or to turn "ON" the A/C in the summer months.
What are the advantages of getting an Infrared Inspection?
Moisture can be a serious problem in building materials, damaging structural integrity and nurturing mold. That's why infrared cameras are widely used in the building industry for moisture remediation. With a infrared camera, you can instantly locate moisture wherever it may be, so you can take quick action to eliminate it. You can see moisture without physically disassembling structures or disturbing inhabitants. Infrared cameras are preferred by building experts for fast, reliable, accurate building diagnosis for a wide range of problems, from fire, hurricane and flood investigations to chronic leaks and moisture issues.
Key advantages of the infrared inspection
1. Find moisture sources and water intrusion quickly.
2. Verify if repairs are completed or not.
3. Pre acquisition inspection.
4. Preventive Maintenance
5. Location of pooling water that finds it way into interior.
