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What is Thermography?
Thermography means "writing with heat", just like photography means "writing with light". The picture that is generated is called a thermogram or thermal image.
Infrared Thermography is the process of acquisition and analysis of thermal information from non-contact thermal imaging devices. That's a quick explanation, at the bottom of this page is a much more detail explanation.
Above is an example of Infrared Thermography. The left photo is the infrared photo of the water heater in the right photo. The water heater shows up brighter because of the hotter temperatures. The bright white at the bottom is the gas flame heating the water.
There are multiple uses for Infrared Cameras, from finding roof leaks, plumbing leaks under concrete slabs, leaks in air condition ductwork to checking insulation inside walls and ceilings.
SI.com is the only residential and commercial inspection firm in Tampa Bay with a Level 1 certification. Others say they have or use a camera as a "tool" but unless they are certified they do not know how to use the information the camera provides.
BENEFITS OF THERMOGRAPH
Building Envelopes and Structures
- Thermal heat loss inspections for buildings, plants, facilities, refineries.
- Moisture contamination evaluations in buildings, condo's, plant facilities
- Concrete integrity inspections.
- Concrete water heated floor inspections for leaks and temperature distribution.
- Locate missing or damaged insulation.
- Identify air leakage energy losses.
- Evaluate the thermal performance of retrofits.
- Locate radiant heating wires or pipes.
- Detect delaminations in concrete bridge decking.
Roofing Systems
- Flat roof leak detection for buildings, plants and facilities.
- Identify water damaged portions of a roof quickly and accurately.
- Eliminate unnecessary replacement of good roofing.
- Plan accurate budgets based on facts.
- Document problems before the warranty/bond expires.
Mechanical Systems (heat & air conditioning)
- Equipment and ductwork assessments for leaks
- Inspect burners for flame impingement and burner management
- Detect insulation leaks in refrigeration equipment
- Heat ventilation air conditioning equipment evaluation
- Evaluate combustion patterns of fuel
- Cold storage losses
- Detect coke buildup in crude oil furnaces
- Power Plant boiler flue gas leak detection
- Mechanical bearing inspections
- Gearbox monitoring and analysis
Electrical Systems
- Residential electrical inspection including electrical cabinets, breakers and service entrances
- Power Generation inspections including exciters, 4160 connections, motor control centers and isophase bus ducts
- Substation Electrical inspections including switchgear, breakers, transformers and capacitor banks
- Electrical motor inspections
- High Voltage Aerial Electrical inspections for transmission lines
THE TOOL WE HAVE SELECTED
ThermaCAM® B2 Infrared Camera
Ultra-compact, lightweight infrared camera for building inspections
The ThermaCam® B2 infrared camera offers a non-invasive means of monitoring and diagnosing the condition of buildings - providing immediate high-resolution thermal imagery, revealing potential structural and moisture issues, energy efficiency and even rodent or pest discovery.
No other inspection company in Tampa Bay has invested this heavily in equipment and education. Chris has attended the Flirs' Infrared Training Center in Boston, completing a rigorous one week course and passing the examination becoming one of the few building inspectors certified as a Level 1 Thermographer. The reason we decided on this particular piece of equipment verses all the others is the fact that the United States Homeland Security chose Flir after 18 months of comparing all brands. During the training classes I had the honor of sitting next to the purchasing agent for this equipment from Homeland Security.
FLIR Infrared Thermography Training
FLIR Systems offers the best infrared thermography training in the industry!
The Infrared Training Center (ITC), with headquarters in Boston and Stockholm, and regional training facilities around the globe, is the world's finest infrared training and certification organization. The ITC's instructor staff includes ASNT and EPRI Level III certified Thermographer instructors. Guided by the ITC International staff, you will become an effective, proficient, certified Thermographer.
A MORE DETAILED DEFINITION OF THERMOGRAPHY
Thermography is the use of an infrared imaging and measurement camera to "see" and "measure" thermal energy emitted from an object. Thermal, or infrared energy, is light that is not visible because its wavelength is too long to be detected by the human eye; it's the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive as heat. Unlike visible light, in the infrared world, everything with a temperature above absolute zero emits heat. Even very cold objects, like ice cubes, emit infrared. The higher the object's temperature, the greater the IR radiation emitted. Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot. 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.
