This paper will discuss the limitations of utilizing thermal imaging as a building diagnostic tool, the appropriate and separate methodologies that should be employed for heat, air and moisture deficiencies, the various standards and protocols should be followed, and the complementary quantitative and verification tools that should be used in conjunction with thermography. This paper will try to be as subjective as possible by referencing Canadian and International standards related to building inspections using thermography.

This paper will look at the issue of the methodologies for detection of the presence of moisture and determination of the various sources from which it accumulates in building assemblies. The end objective for IRT based moisture detection inspections is not to just identify that moisture is present but to determine its extent and source. Accurate assessment of the source(s) and root cause of the moisture is critical to the development of a permanent solution to the problem.

Thermal imaging is successfully used to help identify potential moisture problems in low-slope roofs. This paper will address the various reasons for inspecting a roof, the conditions needed, how an infrared inspection works, and the types of thermal patterns detected. The limitations of the technology as well as alternative test methods including aerial IR inspections are also covered. Conditions permitting, a qualified operator who follows proper inspection standards is able to evaluate a low-slope roof for moisture quickly and efficiently with infrared.

When you consider which infrared camera specifications are most important to the building thermographer, thermal sensitivity and resolution are often at the top of the list…and rightfully so. Aside from focus, these two fixed equipment specifications have the greatest impact on the quality of your thermal image. So when buying an infrared camera, it is important to make sure both are sufficient for your needs and applications.

In this paper learn the findings of an investigation about a very different—and unusual—thermal pattern discovered on windows in the home of one of the authors. The cause is related to the loss of some of the insulating argon gas installed in the window during manufacturing. The authors also discovered the problem was not uncommon for certain types of windows and as they age the issues usually become more pronounced and, in some cases, result in a total failure (implosion) of the window.

An overview of using infrared to inspect mechanical couplings including the types of couplings encountered, methods of failure, thermal signatures detected and the difficulties encountered.

There are thousands of machines that move around in different manners that could be considered “mobile.” A few examples are trucks (both light and heavy), dozers, front-end loaders, forklifts, cranes, excavators, locomotives, boats, ships, mobile welders, pumps, generators and even cars. This paper covers a brief overview of how infrared can be applied to inspecting heavy/mobile equipment along with safety considerations and the conditions needed.

This white paper discusses the parameters and limitations that must be addressed when inspecting tanks, shows techniques that can be employed to help locate levels, and provides a number of example images from IR tank inspections.

Infrared inspections of mechanical systems can be challenging. A working knowledge of the machinery or component is absolutely necessary to successfully interpret these images. This is especially true when inspecting hydraulic systems which are some of the most widely used pieces of equipment in plant operations.

There are a number of formulas and computer programs for’ correcting’ or predicting what will happen to the temperature (or temperature rise) of an electrical fault when the load or wind changes. While these formulas are somewhat useful to indicate that significant changes in temperature may take place when the load or wind changes, they are subject to much abuse and misuse and may be downright misleading when it comes to prioritizing repairs.