The Use of Thermal Infrared Thermography In Building Inspection

For any building thermography, the infrared thermography is the most efficient and probably the quickest way of detecting moisture intrusion, energy waste, electrical problems, plumbing, structural defects and to identify any missing insulation in buildings.

Building thermal imaging surveys use the infrared camera, which helps in showing where exactly the buildings have any issues. It helps in focusing solely on the problem area. The inspector can put all his/her attention on the area which needs to be diagnosed for repairing.

A reputed high tech company is required to conduct the building thermal imaging surveys, for inspecting the building condition. The inspection services can be for commercial, residential, and even industrial real estates.

 

What Are The Advantages Of Using This Thermal Infrared Thermography?-

 

Thermography helps in measuring various surface temperatures by using infrared light waves. It is the infrared camera that sees the light present in the spectrum of the infrared light that allows the inspector to witness in a non-invasive way about what is happening behind and also within the walls.

 

The images which come out help the inspector in determining whether the building has any issues which need to be addressed. This tool acts as a tool for quality control too, for ensuring that the insulation is properly done along with the right weatherization.

• Building thermography ensures to capture the moving targets in some real-time.

• Shows some visual images which help to compare the difference in temperature over some large areas.

• It helps to measure such areas of the building where other methods are either dangerous or impossible.

• As a tool for building thermography, it is truly helpful for locating the problems and to afford various repairs, even when the contractor is on the site still.

 

The Various Types of Building Thermography Devices-

 

The Energy Auditor-

 

• The energy auditor might use any one of the various types of infrared thermography devices in any on-site inspection.

 

Spot Radiometer-

 

• There is a spot radiometer which is also known as the point radiometer. It is the easiest of all. It helps in measuring radiation of just one particular spot at a particular time.

• It has a simple meter reading which shows the temperature of that given spot.

• Then the auditor helps to pan the area with a device and notices all the difference which it finds in the temperature.

 

Thermal Line Scanner-

 

• There is a thermal line scanner that shows all the radiant temperature which is viewed along a line.

• Thermogram in it shows the line scan which is superimposed over the picture of the panned area. By this process, you get to see the variations in temperature along the line

 

The Thermal Imaging Camera-

 

• The thermal imaging camera is the most precise device for demographic inspection. It produces a 2-dimensional thermal picture of the area which shows heat leakage.

• The thermal line scanners and the spot radiometers do not precisely provide you with all the required details for an entire assessment of home energy.

• Also the infrared film which is used in a conventional camera is not enough sense that it will be able to detect any heat loss.

 

The Non-Destructive Inspection-

 

• As cutting any holes in the walls for the samples or for some visibility is not a factor anymore, therefore, the building thermography is done in a pretty non-destructive way.

• The type of infrared camera used in the Building Thermal Imaging Surveys can see right through the wall and it also allows the inspector to point out any problem.

• The thermal imaging technology can be utilized for various parts in the electrical or mechanical equipment which need the elimination of some potential hazards, exhibit any overheating joints, or scanning the lines of power transmission.

 

Preparation needed for the inspection of Building Thermal Imaging Surveys-

 

• To prepare for any type of building thermography or any interior thermal scanning, the owner of the building must take a few steps for ensuring the valid result.

• The most perfect result of building thermography will only occur when you have a large difference in temperature; nearly around 20°F/14°C between the inside and the outside temperature of the air.

• You can generally achieve this if you turn on any air conditioning or heating unit at the exact time designated by your inspector.

• For getting the accurate results the owner might have to move a few furniture items away from the exterior walls.

• Mostly, the northern states, these Building Thermal Imaging Surveys are done during the winters.

• While in the southern states these building thermal imaging surveys are performed during the summer season. When the atmosphere around is warm and the air conditioner stays on.

These were the reasons why building thermal imaging surveys are conducted. The images are shown on the film or the video capture the variations in the temperature of the skin of the building. The color ranges from white to black depending on the regions; where white signifies warmer regions and black signifies the colder ones.