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Infrared Consulting Services thermographic scanning

A Quick Guide to Building Envelopes

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A building envelope is literally the part of a building you can draw lines around. The components include the walls, roof and foundation. These are obviously the most important components of any structure, but they are also the most overlooked. Many people take the building envelope for granted and don’t give it the proper attention and care it needs to keep people safe and comfortable inside. Since the parts of a building envelope take the most abuse from weather and other natural elements, infrared inspection services are often called to conduct an inspection. Here is a quick background on building envelopes.

Different Components, Same Goals

While there are three different components to a building envelope, they all have the same goals. Those goals include keeping cool or warm air inside, preventing water penetration, stopping air from entering in from the outside and drying out after rain to prevent mold and rotting. When any of these three components are compromised for any reason, thermal imaging services can be used to determine the severity of the damage. Sometimes property owners may not even realize the damage to the building envelope, so thermal imaging services can also be used to prevent disasters from occurring.

Challenges With Protecting Building Envelopes

You can’t completely protect a building envelope. Weather and natural disasters occur all the time, so the main thing you can do to protect a building envelope is to maintain it as much as possible, including preventative maintenance. Even if the building is in a climate where harsh weather doesn’t occur often, it is still exposed to sun, wind and rain at the very least. All of these elements could combine to wear on a building envelope over time, and thermographic scanning can help detect those areas that are worn down.

How Infrared Technology Benefits Building Envelopes

Due to the importance and function of a building envelope, it’s critical to conduct regular thermographic scanning through professional infrared inspection services. Some issues with the building envelope can’t be seen with the naked eye, but infrared technology can detect potentially serious issues before they become a big factor. Building owners may not be aware that moisture is present in the roof or in the walls. There may even be a slight air leak in those areas as well. Being aware of these issues before they become a large problem will help keep building envelopes healthy and stable for the long-term.

Infrared Consulting Services has over 30 years of experience dealing with and preventing issues related to building envelopes. Our experienced and certified thermographers will be able to identify issues before they become a big headache for your company. For more information on the importance of maintaining a building envelope, or to book your thermographic scanning appointment, be sure to contact us.

thermography inspection

IR and OSHA: How Infrared Testing Improves Worker Safety

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The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was adopted to keep employees safe at work, especially those working in manufacturing plants or with high voltage electrical equipment. Many companies use infrared testing to avoid costly shutdowns and to prevent equipment from becoming faulty, but in some cases, IR testing is also a standard for OSHA. Infrared inspections and OSHA are both designed with worker safety in mind. Plus, infrared inspections are beneficial to companies from a cost standpoint. Check out these ways a thermography inspection can keep your employees safe and costs low:

Prevents Dangerous Problems

Infrared problem prevention is only possible with regular IR testing. Many times, a maintenance professional can’t detect certain issues before they become big and potentially dangerous problems. When it comes to electrical equipment, a small failure may produce devastating results, whether it’s from a business or personal injury standpoint.

There are no benefits to what happens with an electric systems failure, so why wouldn’t companies be proactive in preventing problems from happening? OSHA requires regular maintenance to be performed to keep workers safe, and infrared testing plays a big role in this maintenance.

High Safety and Health Standards

The safety and health standards developed by OSHA are only intended to protect employees while they work. When companies hire certified thermographers to conduct regular thermal inspections, the necessary safety guidelines set forth in OSHA are being satisfied.

But simply conducting an IR thermography inspection isn’t the only thing companies have to do. They also have to act on any issues found during the testing. If there is a faulty plug in an electrical system, then the plug has to be replaced before a worker gets injured. Some machines may show signs of wear and tear that could eventually be problematic. Instead of waiting until the machine completely malfunctions and or a worker is hurt, employers have to act quickly to prevent problems.

Requires Continuous Maintenance

OSHA requires continuous maintenance in any company. It’s not required to get an infrared thermography inspection every week, or even every month, but setting a regular schedule is recommended. Not only will these regular inspections detect problems before they occur, but they will prevent serious injuries to employees.

When machinery isn’t working like it’s designed to, employees will use different methods to work efficiently and make production goals. Sometimes, these methods can be dangerous, which is why OSHA requires maintenance like infrared testing. When a potential problem is detected, employers have to act swiftly to correct the issue to prevent injury. Liability here rests with the company, not with the employee, and OSHA fines are steep.

It’s in every company’s best interest to take all the necessary steps and precautions to keep worker safety a priority. If a company takes these steps to become OSHA compliant, then they will at least be covered from a liability standpoint.

 

To learn more about OSHA and how it relates to infrared testing, contact us today.

Look for energy leaks with thermographic imaging.

Where Are Energy Leaks Most Often Found in Commercial Buildings?

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Energy leaks are common in commercial buildings. The bad thing is most business owners don’t even know they are wasting energy and money with each passing day. What business owner or maintenance professional has the time to survey the entire building for energy leaks? Luckily, these leaks tend to collect in a few common areas. It can be difficult to detect these leaks without the help of thermographic imaging so here are the most common places to find them.

HVAC System

You may have the top-of-the-line HVAC system in your commercial building, but without frequent electrical testing and inspection, you could still be wasting energy. HVAC systems with poorly sealed ducts most commonly create energy leaks. However, you also need to frequently check your electrical connections since a corroded or loose connection could cause the system to overheat and use more energy than necessary.

Electrical Systems

Transformers and control circuits are the two main culprits of energy waste when it comes to electrical systems. Most people don’t think electrical systems can waste energy so they don’t check them. However, with the help of thermal imaging services, you can detect any sort of energy leak coming from an electrical system and prevent it from occurring in the future.

Building Envelope

The building envelope is the entire building structure, including the roof, the walls, doors, windows, penetrations and anything else. It’s nearly impossible to have a perfect building envelope so that’s why thermographic imaging is important to detect places where energy could be leaking. Any part of the building envelope is prone to leaking, but frequent maintenance could significantly reduce the amount of energy loss.

Generators and Motors

Electrical motors always waste energy. They frequently malfunction and overheat so monitoring and testing them is critical to reducing energy waste. Be sure to check all of the bearings, electrical connections, airflow and other components to ensure the energy leaks are as minimal as possible.

Energy leaks can come from almost anywhere in a commercial building. No one has the time to check these components on a daily basis as required so contact us at Infrared Consulting Services. Together, we can schedule a thermographic imaging test to help reduce the amount of energy leaks at your business.

Water intrusion can be identified with a thermography inspection.

What Is Water Intrusion and Why Is It a Problem?

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Water intrusion is a problem for any building or structure. It could be the result of holes, damaged walls, poor building design or even leaky water pipes. The main problem with water intrusion is it’s not easy to detect with the naked eye until it escalates. When moisture and water get behind walls and inside the building envelope, you could be looking at a lot of money in damages and repairs. With the help of IR thermography, you can prevent major damages by getting ahead of the problem and identifying the water intrusion before it takes over.

Water Intrusion in Walls and Roofs

There are many reasons water can get in walls and through roofs, but sometimes those reasons aren’t easy to identify. If water intrusion happens slowly and gradually in walls and roofs, the damage could get to the point where the entire structure has to be replaced. Mold could develop, making it a dangerous place to live or work in. However, by doing a regular thermography inspection, you can catch the problem before it gets to that point.

Preventing Mold and Other Water Damage

When water gets inside the building envelope, the moisture doesn’t have anywhere to go nor any ventilation to evaporate through. That creates an environment ideal for mold growth and can get worse the longer it’s there. Once the mold is detected, the affected building’s occupants will have to evacuate immediately, causing further problems on a much wider scale. Thermal imaging services can identify areas where moisture could be growing so you can take quick and decisive action.

Why You Should Use Infrared Technology

Sometimes it’s impossible to see a potential leak. Whether it’s in a pipe behind a wall or a pipe that’s clearly visible, any potential sources of water intrusion must be examined frequently. A routine thermography inspection can give you images of areas where moisture is present by examining temperature differences. It’s impossible to see or feel these spots without infrared equipment so having a professional run a survey periodically will help prevent major water intrusion.

Water intrusion can happen in any building, no matter how well it is maintained. As buildings get older, their materials start to wear down and slowly allow water to enter where it shouldn’t. Before you have to deal with the headache that comes with major water intrusion, give us a call to do a quick infrared survey and give you peace of mind.

Steam traps experienced the benefits of infrared inspection.

What You Need to Know About Infrared Steam Trap Testing

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Facility or plant managers always look for ways to save money and be more efficient. Faulty steam traps account for thousands of wasted dollars, which could be prevented with regular maintenance and testing. The maintenance of steam traps is often overlooked due to other priorities, but they still need attention. With the help of thermal imaging services, faulty steam traps can be identified quickly and easily to help them run more efficiently, saving you money and energy. Here are some points you need to know about infrared inspection for steam trap testing.

Temperature Measurements

Measuring the temperature in and around steam traps may not be the best test to perform since its temperature naturally varies. Still, infrared consulting services will likely do a quick temperature analysis just to determine whether there are any extremely noticeable temperature differences.

Infrared testing will measure both the outlet and inlet temperatures to see if there are any significant differences. This is an effective method for simple steam traps, but may not tell the whole story for more complex steam traps.

While infrared testing is important for finding temperature measurements, proper preventive measures should also combine other tests as well, such as sound.

Steam Traps Will Eventually Fail

Like any machinery, steam traps aren’t meant to last forever. When a steam trap begins showing signs of failure, it’s time to either repair or replace it. One of the main benefits of infrared inspection is the ability to identify an issue before it escalates and your steam trap needs replacement. A company definitely doesn’t want to risk inefficient processes because of a faulty steam trap.

When to Test Steam Traps

Since it’s difficult to detect a faulty steam trap with the naked eye, it’s recommended to frequently use thermal imaging services to get ahead of any issues. A simple infrared thermography analysis could help you estimate how much energy is being wasted on a particular steam trap so you can decide whether it’s time to repair or replace it.

With all the moving parts facilities use on a daily basis, steam trap maintenance often gets overlooked. The importance of regular infrared testing on steam traps can’t be understated, contact us to schedule an appointment today!

Consider IR thermography to look for little known problems.

Four More Little-Known Uses for IR Thermography

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Companies today are beginning to see the importance of conducting routine infrared testing. In fact, IR thermography testing is required in some places. Infrared technology is most commonly used in detecting roof moisture, electrical inspections, building envelopes, high voltages and other objects and structures. However, there are other uses people may not be aware of. Proper awareness of the benefits of infrared technology outside of the basic uses will help prevent potential costly issues. Here is a list of four uses for infrared technology you may be able to benefit from.

  1. Transformers

Fluid-filled transformers must have the proper liquid level to perform properly. Over time, the gauges can become difficult or impossible to read, leaving people to guess at what the liquid level is. Thermal imaging services can help detect the fluid level in transformers and indicate when there’s a radiator cooling issue. If you have a warm transformer tank with a cool radiator, you know there’s a risk of the transformer overheating.

  1. Terminations and Splices

IR thermography is typically used for terminations and splices as a safety precaution. In many cases, before professionals go underground to work on splices, infrared testing must be performed to ensure safety. Infrared testing can also identify problems relating to conductor integrity.

  1. Switchgears

Identifying possible thermal failures of important switchgear equipment is crucial for worker safety. In some cases, permanent thermal sensors have to be installed to identify problems immediately. Outdoor switchgear assemblies have strip heaters to regulate the temperature during different times of the day or year. Thermal imaging services come into play when there is no detection of heat, meaning there’s a problem that needs to be addressed before a larger issue occurs.

  1. Items Not Carrying Current

Most of the time, infrared consulting services will take a quick look at the entire job site, in addition to the specific equipment they’re testing. The reason behind this is to detect heat from objects that shouldn’t be carrying current. Inductive heating can be a hazard to workers and equipment and it would go unnoticed without infrared testing.

Another item generally not carrying current is a ground connection. If infrared testing indicates a ground connection has increased in temperature, it signifies a potential problem.

Infrared technology has many more uses than the common ones associated with it. At Infrared Consulting Services, we know the ins-and-outs of infrared technology and can help in any industry. For other little-known uses for infrared technology or to learn how we can help provide your company with routine IR testing, contact us at any time!

Find energy leaks with thermal imaging services.

Five Least-Expected Places for Air Leaks to Occur

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Air leaks are a common problem, but few people investigate them before it’s too late. This shouldn’t be the case for anyone, especially if they’re involved in a commercial facility where efficiency is key. Thermal imaging services, as well as your own vigilance, can easily help tackle this problem. The first element of prevention is knowing where to look! Here are five rarely suspected problem spots you may want to watch out for in your facility.

1. Basements

If your facility has a basement, this may be a good place to check. This is one of the most likely areas of a building to lack proper insulation, which quickly leads to circulation issues. You should know the amount of insulation and similar properties within your facility’s basement. If it isn’t at the proper level, you should anticipate some form of leaking and invest in taking care of the insulation as soon as possible. If you aren’t sure how to check for leaks, a thermal imagining inspection is a great way to ensure your basement is air tight.

2. Ventilation

Proper air vents and other similar mechanisms are highly important to the maintenance of a commercial facility. Temperatures can easily skyrocket in these structures, making it vital to have decent circulation. You’ll want to run maintenance on your ventilation occasionally to make sure they’re functioning properly. Thermal imaging services can help you detect improper ventilation in your structure. Malfunctioning vents are a surefire sign of unwanted leakage. The best ventilation systems typically have covers with magnetic and detachable properties, as well as insulation padding.

3. Air Ducts

Air ducts are just as likely as vents to have some sort of leak slipping through them. Be sure to check these at the same time you check your vents, especially if your facility relies on air conditioning for daily productivity. You don’t want the comfortable and cool air to slip right out where it shouldn’t be. Luckily, with the help of a thermal imaging inspection, you can easily find out where the problem areas are!

4. Overhead Lights

People rarely suspect their overhead lighting of being leaky and inefficient. In fact, as long as the lights are functioning, we assume they’re working at 100 percent! This actually may not be the case. Certain types of overhead lights, such as recessed lighting, rely on insulation to remain functional and safe. Be sure to check whether your ceiling lights need this type of preparation and whether it is in place. If not, know this poses a risk to your facility and employees and should be addressed soon.

5. Electrical Sockets

This is yet another quite common, but typically unheeded, source of energy leaks. It’s also the hardest to detect. To pick up on the efficiency of your commercial facility’s electrical sockets, you need to rely on a thermal imaging survey to read the output of your sockets and determine whether they’re at a normal rate. Without it, you could be negatively impacting the performance of your equipment and reducing productivity.

While these aren’t the only areas of your facility susceptible to leaks, they are the most common ones that should be inspected. Contact us to learn about other preventive measures and how our thermal imaging services can help!