By pinpointing the potential source of problems,you also save valuable inspection time and repair only what needs to be fixed.

Repeated temperature measurements of the same targets from time to time can determine whether repairs were successful and to help anticipate future repairs.

Simply point,shoot and read Infrared thermometers measure the infrared energy emitted from all surfaces and convert the information into a temperature reading.

They are very easy to operate – simply point the instrument at the target,pull the trigger,and read the temperature value,or see detailed thermal images with temperature data,in the display. Measurements take only a fraction of a second, and inspections can be done safely and conveniently.You can check temperatures of hard- o-reach spaces immediately without the need for a ladder or scaffolding and laser sighting helps you easily mark small targets from optimal distances in low light and tight spaces.Even if you have never considered measuring temperature before,these handy tools can save you a lot of time and effort and inspections can be performed quickly anywhere – indoors and outside – at any time.

More than temperature readings

The latest generation of infrared thermometers,for example,from Raytek,includes temperature comparison and documentation features to better support your inspection efforts.These features include data logging,or the ability to store temperature readings for multiple locations along an inspection route,and audible alarms set by the user to indicate temperatures above and below acceptable ranges.

Photograph temperature

To enhance documentation capability,Raytek has even combined an infrared thermometer with a digital camera in one lightweight inspection tool called the PhotoTemp MX6 TD.Ideal for fire inspections and checking electrical,plumbing and HVAC installations, it provides a unique way for you to simultaneously take precision temperature measurements and to document them with digital photographs.Images show the exact measurement spot,marked by the unit’s unique three-point laser sighting,and are superimposed with information such as temperature,location name,date and time.Up to 100 images can be stored in the unit,and then downloaded via a simple USB connection to your laptop for viewing and easy inclusion in reports and emails.

Looking behind the scenes

Another type of handheld infrared temperature measurement tool used to aid inspections is a thermal imaging camera,a tool used more and more to make the invisible visible.These devices immediately show you the hot and cold spots in the form of thermal images.Up until now,the high price tag of such inspection tools has been prohibitive for many to consider buying one for regular use;however,lower cost high-performance cameras are now available on the market to make thermal imaging accessible to all.

Infrared thermographic surveys can be used to identify and establish the extent of thermal anomalies within new or existing buildings in many ways,for example:

Inspecting electrical systems: Locate overheating components safely in electrical systems,expressed as hot spots in thermal images. Regular inspections of electrical installations should be conducted at full load to identify potential problems,such as loose connections,load imbalance,and overloads,which,when not attended to, can lead to outages,equipment damage,and safety risks including fire.

Checking for missing and damaged insulation:Inspections both inside and outside structures show you the location,shape and intensity of insulation.

Recent amendments to Parts L1 (Dwellings)and L2(Non-Domestic Structures) of the UK Building Regulations,which came into force in 2002,place particular emphasis on insulation continuity throughout the structure.Key to building conformance is that those responsible for achieving compliance can document that infrared thermography inspections have shown that ‘insulation is reasonably continuous over the whole visible envelope’.

Pinpointing air leakage points:UK Building Regulations also place emphasis on greatly reducing air leakage,or the uncontrolled movement of air into and out of a building,which can compromise the efficiency of building environmental systems.While best measured with pressurisation testing,thermographic surveys can quickly pinpoint leakage points.Inspections inside and outside of structures, along doors,windows,vents and pipes,immediately show you areas of infiltration and exfiltration.

Finding areas of moisture accumulation:Moisture intrudes through joints and cracks in roofs,ceilings and walls,and is trapped, resulting in structural rot and mould, some of which may represent serious health hazards.Regular thermographic inspections,inside and outside of structures,are therefore critical to quickly locate cold spots, which are often signs of moisture intrusion.

Verifying structural elements: Thermographic inspections can help you quickly locate support beams,pipes,electrical cables,and flues in poured walls,floors and ceilings.Simply scan surfaces,and detailed thermal images clearly show you subsurface details.

Evaluating building materials:Test the performance of interior and exterior wall surfaces,doors and windows under various environmental conditions to determine their ability to retain or reflect heat and cold.A thermal imager will show you energy leaks.

What you need to get started

To perform your own thermal imaging inspections effectively,you will require the following:

●Easy to use thermal imaging equipment with fast scanning speed and sharp image quality to help you locate potential problems quickly.Also essential are units with long battery life and on-board storage of several images to enable uninterrupted inspections in the field.

●You should also have software to make necessary adjustments to images for successful interpretation of problems,to analyse results, and to document findings in detailed reports.

●And to realise a quick return on investment,the solution should also include training on how to use the equipment to get the best results.

Making thermal imaging an affordable asset

Up until now,the high price tag of thermal imaging cameras has been prohibitive for many to consider buying one for regular use.

The alternative for many building inspectors or maintenance technicians has been either to hire the services of an outside company,or to rent the equipment for annual thermographic surveys. However,lower cost high-performance cameras are now available on the market to make thermal imaging accessible to all who can benefit from the quick visual reference it provides.

With these considerations in mind,Raytek has assembled one of the most complete and affordable thermal imaging solutions designed specifically for building inspection and predictive maintenance. Intended for both indoor and outdoor use, the easyto-use ThermoView Ti30 provides all the necessary features for even beginners to conduct thorough thermal imaging inspections and to quickly and accurately locate faults that could lead to breakdowns and safety risks.Rugged,lightweight and easy to handle,the ThermoView provides quick,smooth scanning and high accuracy within a measurement range of minus 10° to 250°C.It displays and captures thermal images and spot temperature measurements simultaneously,allowing you to quickly identify even the most subtle temperature differences in an image and quickly determine if an abnormality exists.Single-point laser sighting allows you to accurately pinpoint targets from optimal distances.And the unit’s long battery life plus its ability to store up to 100 images enables uninterrupted inspection sessions in the field.

Back in the office,you can download the images using the unit’s intuitive InsideIR analysis and reporting software.With the software,you can easily adjust the images,such as changing emissivity and reflected temperature values,or change viewing preferences,as well as perform trend analysis and create detailed reports.

Archived images from previous inspections can also be uploaded to the ThermoView Ti30 for use as a quick routing guide when checking repairs or for routine checks of critical equipment – a valuable inspection tool included with no other thermal imaging camera in this price category. For those new to thermal imaging,Raytek also provides a two-day training on basic thermal imaging.The goal of the training is to instruct users how to conduct professional thermal imaging surveys and how to get the best results from thermal imaging inspections.All of these features are included together at an affordable price for everyday use.

And finally

There are a number of reasons why you should add temperature inspections to your building and/or maintenance inspection checklist.Most importantly,thermographic surveys can save you a lot of time and effort in locating existing and potential problems,which can jeopardise not only building performance,but also compliance with building,health and safety regulations.

Thanks to Scott R.Williams,European Marketing Specialist,Raytek

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