Thermal Imaging?
What is Thermal Imaging or Infrared thermography?
Originally developed for military purposes, infrared thermography has been used for
commercial and industrial purposes for the past 30 years, primarily as a maintenance
inspection tool. Since the mid-1980’s the use of thermography has expanded rapidly and
shows few signs of slowing.
The technology utilizes electronic equipment that senses invisible infrared (IR) radiation given
off by all objects on earth. The information is converted into an electronic signal that is used to
build a visual image (or thermogram) of the thermal patterns. The thermogram can best be
thought of as a sort of topographical map of the surface temperatures. Typically, the warmer
the object, the more IR radiation it emits.
What are the advantages of infrared thermography?
There are many advantages to using thermography. Temperatures can be measured from
minus 200F to 25000F. Because measurements are made of emitted radiation, they can be
made without contacting the surface. This is an advantage where surfaces are dangerous,
difficult to contact, or where contact would influence the measurement. Temperature
differences as small as 1120F or greater can be seen and measured. Measurement is also
very fast — typically micro or milliseconds so that live imaging of moving equipment or
processes is possible. The data can be viewed live and recorded on either a videotape or disc.
As with any tool, thermography, for all its advantages, also has limitations. It is very difficult to
measure temperatures of shiny objects. All measurements are of the surface of the object so
internal conditions and their influences must be inferred. Despite these limitations,
thermography is a tool whose role in industry is rapidly expanding because it is so versatile.
Thermal imaging uses infrared technology to detect differences in temperature. Every material
has a unique thermal signature and when moisture, heat, cold, or wood destroying insects
are introduced into the structure they can cause thermal variations. These differences in
temperature (Delta T) can be subtle or dramatic but with this incredible thermal imaging
technology those subtle changes can be seen and quantitatively measured, where before they
were completely undetectable.
Thermal imaging technology is now being used to evaluate residential and commercial
structures. As a non-invasive testing tool it can quickly help confirm where there are issues.
This can help minimize the time you spend on added evaluation and destructive discovery
methods.
What Thermal Imaging is NOT?
MOISTURE DETECTOR - It identifies thermal anomalies that may indicate the presence of
moisture. This device greatly aids in identifying areas that need further investigation. This
reduces the time and the amount of more destructive methods of identifying moisture,
reducing costs and damage to interior and exterior structures.
Moisture equals mold!
Whenever moisture exists on a surface for more than 72 hours, MOLD CAN FORM! This is a
reality and the thermal imaging camera can quickly, in a non-invasive manner, help identify
these areas. When a moisture problem is located and corrected then further structure
deterioration and widespread growth of mold can also be stopped. Even though thermal
imaging inspections are not cheap, they greatly help in the detection of damaging structural
leaks. Please remember that every day that a leak goes undetected the damage is increased.
When detected early the structural repairs and any needed mold remediation are significantly
less costly. Even a few days earlier diagnosis can save the costs of the thermal inspection in
additional clean up and repair.
X-RAY - The infrared thermal imaging camera is NOT X-ray. It does not provide the user with
the ability to clearly see inside walls like Ground Penetrating Radar. Instead, it identifies
thermal differences on the SURFACE of the materials being inspected.
Perfect - The infrared thermal imaging camera is NOT an end-all be-all solution, but when it is
used in conjunction with other technologies and by an experienced operator, thermal imaging
has helped identify issues that are rarely identified during the standard home inspection
process.
RISK ELIMINATOR - The thermal imaging camera does NOT completely remove any risk of
concealed damage that may be missed by the inspector, but does significantly reduce it.
Originally developed for military purposes, infrared thermography has been used for
commercial and industrial purposes for the past 30 years, primarily as a maintenance
inspection tool. Since the mid-1980’s the use of thermography has expanded rapidly and
shows few signs of slowing.
The technology utilizes electronic equipment that senses invisible infrared (IR) radiation given
off by all objects on earth. The information is converted into an electronic signal that is used to
build a visual image (or thermogram) of the thermal patterns. The thermogram can best be
thought of as a sort of topographical map of the surface temperatures. Typically, the warmer
the object, the more IR radiation it emits.
What are the advantages of infrared thermography?
There are many advantages to using thermography. Temperatures can be measured from
minus 200F to 25000F. Because measurements are made of emitted radiation, they can be
made without contacting the surface. This is an advantage where surfaces are dangerous,
difficult to contact, or where contact would influence the measurement. Temperature
differences as small as 1120F or greater can be seen and measured. Measurement is also
very fast — typically micro or milliseconds so that live imaging of moving equipment or
processes is possible. The data can be viewed live and recorded on either a videotape or disc.
As with any tool, thermography, for all its advantages, also has limitations. It is very difficult to
measure temperatures of shiny objects. All measurements are of the surface of the object so
internal conditions and their influences must be inferred. Despite these limitations,
thermography is a tool whose role in industry is rapidly expanding because it is so versatile.
Thermal imaging uses infrared technology to detect differences in temperature. Every material
has a unique thermal signature and when moisture, heat, cold, or wood destroying insects
are introduced into the structure they can cause thermal variations. These differences in
temperature (Delta T) can be subtle or dramatic but with this incredible thermal imaging
technology those subtle changes can be seen and quantitatively measured, where before they
were completely undetectable.
Thermal imaging technology is now being used to evaluate residential and commercial
structures. As a non-invasive testing tool it can quickly help confirm where there are issues.
This can help minimize the time you spend on added evaluation and destructive discovery
methods.
What Thermal Imaging is NOT?
MOISTURE DETECTOR - It identifies thermal anomalies that may indicate the presence of
moisture. This device greatly aids in identifying areas that need further investigation. This
reduces the time and the amount of more destructive methods of identifying moisture,
reducing costs and damage to interior and exterior structures.
Moisture equals mold!
Whenever moisture exists on a surface for more than 72 hours, MOLD CAN FORM! This is a
reality and the thermal imaging camera can quickly, in a non-invasive manner, help identify
these areas. When a moisture problem is located and corrected then further structure
deterioration and widespread growth of mold can also be stopped. Even though thermal
imaging inspections are not cheap, they greatly help in the detection of damaging structural
leaks. Please remember that every day that a leak goes undetected the damage is increased.
When detected early the structural repairs and any needed mold remediation are significantly
less costly. Even a few days earlier diagnosis can save the costs of the thermal inspection in
additional clean up and repair.
X-RAY - The infrared thermal imaging camera is NOT X-ray. It does not provide the user with
the ability to clearly see inside walls like Ground Penetrating Radar. Instead, it identifies
thermal differences on the SURFACE of the materials being inspected.
Perfect - The infrared thermal imaging camera is NOT an end-all be-all solution, but when it is
used in conjunction with other technologies and by an experienced operator, thermal imaging
has helped identify issues that are rarely identified during the standard home inspection
process.
RISK ELIMINATOR - The thermal imaging camera does NOT completely remove any risk of
concealed damage that may be missed by the inspector, but does significantly reduce it.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
