| Infrared Thermography How It Works In Building | | | | or cools down more slowly than other materials |
| Science | | | | common in buildings. This property is called "specific |
| Thermography enables us to see and measure heat. | | | | heat" by physicists. |
| All materials on earth emit heat energy, in the | | | | Infrared Surveys are a quick and cost effective |
| infrared portion of the spectrum. Unfortunately, the | | | | approach for assessing hidden water damage. |
| unaided human eye cannot see in the infrared. | | | | Because the heat capacity of water damaged |
| However, infrared cameras can not only see, but | | | | material is greater than that of dry material and air, |
| record infrared images and measure the | | | | areas of high moisture content appear warmer or |
| temperatures of objects quite accurately. | | | | colder than the surrounding infrastructure. Infrared |
| Infrared thermography is the technique for producing | | | | scanning makes finding problem areas much easier. |
| an image of invisible (to our eyes) infrared light | | | | Combined with digital photography, it can greatly |
| emitted by objects due to their thermal condition. | | | | enhance the consumers understanding of just what |
| The most typical type of IR camera resembles a | | | | the problem is and how to go about having it |
| typical camcorder and produces a live TV picture of | | | | repaired. It also enhances the consumers ability to |
| heat radiation. More sophisticated cameras can | | | | deal with the contractors that may be performing |
| actually measure the temperature of any or surface | | | | the repair work. |
| in the image and produce false color color images | | | | Infrared imaging allows us to evaluate the condition |
| that make interpretation of thermal patterns easier. | | | | of the exterior cladding systems by mapping areas |
| An image produced by an infrared camera is called a | | | | of moisture entrapment and the delamination due to |
| thermogram or sometimes a thermograph. | | | | environmental stress. Exterior cladding surveys are |
| Objects are characterized by a variety of physical by | | | | extremely cost effective, surveys are all non |
| a variety of physical parameters such as size, shape, | | | | destructive. To a building owner or insurance |
| and weight. The most frequently measured physical | | | | company involved in property damage settlement, |
| property is temperature. Heat is the byproduct of all | | | | clear images of normally invisible damage can be |
| work, whether it comes from electrical, mechanical, | | | | invaluable for planning restoration efforts and |
| or chemical activity. Humans generate, contain, and | | | | rationalizing settlements. |
| transfer heat to run our industries and regulate our | | | | Building envelope performance is vitally important for |
| everyday environments. Unexpected temperature | | | | energy efficiency as well as occupants safety and |
| variations may indicate design flaws, poor | | | | comfort. An infrared scan may help detect or resolve |
| workmanship, or damaged building components. | | | | hidden electrical, plumbing, insulation voids, storm |
| Temperature variations can be used to recognize | | | | drainage or structural problems, minimize risks and |
| numerous anomalies. | | | | maintenance costs. Although infrared inspection does |
| Heat is an intangible thing. We cannot directly | | | | not directly detect mold, it is quite useful to find |
| measure heat. We can only measure the effects of | | | | hidden moisture, where mold may develop. |
| heat; namely by a temperature change. The amount | | | | How does Infrared fit into the Big Picture: It is a non |
| of heat necessary to change the temperature of an | | | | destructive test that is able to detect problems |
| object depends on the objects heat capacity. | | | | before physical symptoms appear. Use to optimize |
| Thermography can pinpoint leaks in roofing and other | | | | building envelope performance to reduce energy |
| building materials by exploiting the thermal properties | | | | costs. Increase building durability through timely minor |
| of water. Water stores heat very well; it warms up | | | | repairs and reduces life cycle costs. |