Thermal Imaging &

Trace & Access

Nick Jeffery
Training Manager

What is Thermography?

Infrared Thermography is the science of

acquistion and analysis of thermal
information from non-contact thermal
imaging devices

What is a Thermal Image

Photography can be described as writing with
Light
Thermography can be described as writing with
Heat

Heat Transfer Modes

Conduction
Convection
Radiation

Convection
Conduction
Radiation

Infrared Thermography
Building materials radiate energy

Wet materials retain heat and change slower

than dry areas of the same material.
This allows us to locate an area with a
moisture problem

Visual Image
These two glasses
visually appear the
same.

Thermal Image
Thermal Imaging with
an infrared camera.
Paints a different
picture.

Infrared Thermography
IR thermography can be used to trace the
influx of moisture to find the ultimate source
of leakage with little or no physical
disassembly of the premises.
With current models of IR cameras, images
can be made in seconds.

Water Damage

High Ceiling Water Damage

Grey Scale

Grey Scale
Temperature Range
Camera is operating in
Composition of Photo
Focusing of the Picture

Colour Palette

Colour Palette

Isotherm

Altered Isotherm Range

Infrared Thermography
IR thermography can then be used to
accurately monitor the drying process.
IR cameras can inspect places that
cant be physically reached with a
moisture meter.

Water Damage

The Drying Process

See the Drying

taking place!

Dry a building more

effectively and
more efficiently!

Thermal Imaging
Where can it help us
Identifying point of water ingress
Track spread of water
Identifying maintenance issues
Identify issues with insulation
Identify areas of air infiltration
Assist with trace and access

The Drying Process

The Drying Process

The Drying Process

Moisture Detection on a Roof

Damaged/Missing Insulation

Building Envelop Inspection

Water leak in a concrete slab

HVAC & Plumbing

With thermal imagers it's easy to scan an entire
building to see the relation of HVAC system,
building envelope, and plumbing issues

Building Diagnostics
Buildings may be quickly and thoroughly
scanned using a thermal imager, identifying
problem areas that can't be seen by the naked
eye

Energy Auditing & Home Inspection

Excessive air leakage can account for up to half
of the energy consumed to condition
buildings. The leakage pathway is often complex
and, without thermal imaging, extremely difficult
to visualize.

Property & Facility Management

Thermal imagers are a valuable tool in predictive
maintenance of electrical, mechanical, and
structural systems, to detect problems, prevent
downtime, guide corrective action, and increase
work safety.

Moisture & Restoration

The presence of moisture in building envelopes,
either from leakage or condensation, can have
serious consequences. With infrared images,
water damage is easily detected

Additional Equipment

Acoustic Leak
Detection

Hydrogen Tracer Gas Leak

Detection

Non-Destructive Moisture Detection

Advantages
Quick
Non-evasive
Does not require
relocation of the
occupant or the
occupants contents
Helps define actual
source and defines
its progression

Disadvantages
Cannot see through
walls; only detects
surface temperature
differentials
Cannot detect
subsurface damage
(i.e. mould or
structural damage)

Final Points
How Much Does The Service Cost
What Coverage Do We Have