Building defects can easily be located with thermal imaging surveys. Thermal imaging allows for non-invasive inspections on all types of commercial buildings and is a valuable tool for aiding restoration and remediation projects. It allows for quick and accurate detection of issues within the building fabric without needing to cause damage to the building during the inspection. Thermal imaging also lowers the risk of health and issues, due to negating the need for visible inspections at hight using access platforms etc.
By using highly trained level 3 engineers and high-quality Infrared cameras we can quickly document issues and later we can verify that repair or remediation work was done properly upon project completion.
Here are the top 10 defects commonly found during our thermal imaging surveys:
Water Leaks through roofs, walls and floors
Moisture in roofing materials often leads to two scenarios— water leaks into the structure which can reduces the insulating properties of the roof. Infrared inspections can usually extend the life of roofs by accurately identifying the critical problem areas, which can be repaired, thus preventing premature full replacement costs
Moisture can also be a problem in the rest of the building fabric in areas such as walls and floors, similar to roof surveys, our thermal imaging team can easily identify moisture trapped in walls and floors. Damp areas change temperature more slowly than dry areas, and are also subject to evaporative cooling, which allow them to become visible to the infrared camera. A build-up of moisture inside buildings can cause air quality issues from mound and mildew. Bad quality air within the home and workplace can cause health issues from prolonged exposure.
Air leakage paths through windows, doors and the building fabric
In many new and existing buildings one of the main issues Gaps around windows, doors, and other openings where conditioned air escapes.
When cool seeps through a leak into the condition space within a building, the cooling is visible when thermal imaging is combined with blower door test equipment which is one of the most powerful combinations to identify potential convective energy loss.
Poorly Installed or Missing Insulation:
Many of our previous surveys have identified missing or damaged insulation, which can lead to excess heat loss.
When insulation is damaged or missing – or has settled over time – a different thermal pattern is usually visible compared to the rest of the wall where the insulation has been installed correctly. These areas can often be a source of heat loss or gain, which can lead to higher energy usage.
Thermal Bridging through the building envelope
Thermal bridging is areas where heat bypasses insulation, often at structural elements like steel beams is called thermal bridging and is quite common in existing buildings.
Thermal bridges are pathways by which heat can move from one place to another via conduction or direct contact between building materials. It is normal to see this in many types of construction but minimising it with proper design and insulation can reduce conductive heat loss or gain in a building envelope. Under the proper conditions, a thermal imager allows the user to easily detect and document areas where thermal bridging is occurring, so the project team can decide if any remedial action is required.
Thermal Imaging inspections for Renovation and Retrofit Projects
When preparing for a renovation and/or retrofit project, a thermal imaging inspection can often help to indicate any issues in the existing structure. This can help clients raise issues in regard to the state of the building prior to the commencement of works. This can speed up design, planning and construction. Undertaking a before and after works survey can also verify that a retrofit was done correctly and will be more effective at reducing energy and provide a safer environment for occupants.
We undertake BREEAM Thermal imaging surveys
We provide a professional service which surpasses the specification required by BREEAM. Our thermographers are Level 3 certified, which is the highest accreditation available.
It’ worth noting that our thermal imaging services include the following:
- Level 3 thermographic certification
- Large format FLIR cameras
- A detailed report which includes thermal indexing formula for fault diagnosis, qualification, and severity grading.
To discuss your project requirements, and arrange for one of our thermographic surveyors to visit your site, please call Darren on 07775 623464, or email us at info@airpressuretesting.net