Detection of Air Leaks Using Thermal Imaging and Air Tightness Testing

Detection of Air Leaks Using Thermal Imaging and Air Tightness Testing

Air leaks through building envelopes lead to higher energy consumption and often places extra strain on the heating and ventilation systems. Air leaks can also lead to condensation which can cause a poor indoor climate for the occupiers of the building.

To detect air leaks through the building envelope using a thermal imaging camera a temperature difference and a pressure difference is needed. With a thermal imaging camera you detect the characteristic patterns that occur when cold air is coming through a leak in the building construction which runs along a surface and cools the surface down.

 

 

A thermal imaging inspection should always be undertaken on the side of the construction with negative pressure. Air leaks are often detected with the help of the air tightness pressurisation method often referred to as an air tightness test. When air tightness testing and thermal imaging survey inspections are used together they make a powerful combination for building fault diagnosis.

We have extensive experience in conducting commercial building air tightness and thermal imaging surveys across the following types of buildings/businesses:

• • • • • • • • • • • Warehouses
                    • Factories
                    • Office Blocks
                    • Blocks of Flats
                    • Universities
                    • Schools
                    • Hospitals
                    • Railway Stations

If you require a BREEAM Thermal survey our professional and certified Level 3 Thermographer’s will carry out your thermographic Inspections for BREEAM compliance in accordance with all necessary standards and current regulations, all we need are a few details such as floor plans and elevation drawings and the building location to provide a quotation. We will also send across our informative Thermal Survey Checklist to help you prepare for the thermographic Inspection.

 

 

The importance of using one of our Level 3 trained thermographers cannot be understated as they are trained to be write predictive maintenance and inspection practices and to develop test procedures and ascertain severity criteria. To try and help clients prepare for the thermal imaging survey to their building, we have written the following article: How we carry our thermal Surveys on commercial buildings.

Also, to try and help facility managers with their electrical and mechanical surveys, we have also written the following article: thermal imaging inspections for facilities management. Also, throughout the UK BREEAM projects are becoming more common place. BREEAM provides extra points to projects that have a BREEAM Thermal survey undertaken. As not many clients are aware of BREEAM thermal surveys, we have included more information in our ‘What is a BREEAM thermal Imaging Survey’ article. Also to try and help clients prepare for their survey please download our Thermal Imaging Checklist.

Contact APT Sound Testing for a free quotation for a thermographic inspection. All we need are a few details such an elevation drawings, floor plans and location to provide a quotation.

If you would like more information in regards to BREEAM Thermographic Inspection Surveys, please contact us now at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or call Darren on: 07775 623464.