The Optimal Weather Conditions for Thermal Imaging Surveys
There are a few things to consider when undertaking a thermal imaging surveys. One of the most important items is that there must be no direct or residual energy from the sun in the building – also known as solar loading. Many clients have thermal surveys conducted an hour or so after sunset and this is usually flawed resulting in inaccurate results, again due to the solar loading on the building. Whilst there can be exceptions to this, usually solar load will be held within in the building envelope for many hours after sunset.
In our experience the optional time to undertake heat loss surveys is generally in the early hours of a cold morning, prior to sunrise and before the sunlight can fall on the building – which makes for a very early start. It is very difficult to conduct these types of heat loss surveys during summer months, when the ambient air temperature are at high temperatures, even past midnight.
We can undertake summer surveys; however, the buildings need to be heated to 10c higher than the external temperature and the survey needs to be undertake at around 3-4am in the morning, which is usually the coolest period.
Therefore, in our experience its preferable to carry our heat loss surveys during the cooler months, which increase the chance of the survey being compliant with BS EN 13187 and industry best practice.
Recommended Environmental Conditions
- Temperature difference across building fabric >10°C at the time of the thermographic survey.
- Temperature difference across building fabric >5°C for 24hrs preceding the thermographic survey.
- External air temperature to be within +/- 3°C during the thermography survey.
- External air temperature to be within +/- 10°C for the preceding 24hours.
- The external envelope surfaces to be free from solar gain.
- No precipitation just prior to or during the thermographic survey.
- Wind speed to be less than 10mph during the thermography survey.
- Ensure all building envelope surfaces to be inspected are dry during the thermographic survey.
Other Non-Weather Critical Types of Thermal Imaging
There are many types of thermal imaging inspections that do not reply on optimal weather conditions, they are:
- Electrical infrared surveys
- Mechanical infrared surveys
- Underfloor heating infrared surveys
- Pipe leak Infrared surveys
Why pick us to undertake your thermal survey?
Please note that our engineers are trained to level 3, which is the highest level you can achieve as a thermographic engineer. We also use large format thermal imaging cameras; this provides you with the absolute best chance of solving any potential issues by utilising thermographic technology. also, as one of the UK’s leading experts in BREEAM thermal Imaging surveys we have vast amount of experience in conducting specialist thermal imaging surveys for a wide range of commercial applications. Our thermography engineers have carried out thousands of thermal imaging surveys across London and the UK – and we have contributed towards achieving a BREEAM credits for thermal imaging on hundreds of projects.
Please contact us for more information
Our team of APT thermographers are highly experienced in carrying out thermal imaging surveys and have many years’ experience in all aspects of engineering, construction, maintenance, management, and professional survey work and all our thermographic surveys are conducted by engineers qualified in accordance with BS EN 13187
Our thermal imaging equipment is the best and most accurate on the market, ensuring we pick up faults that other equipment may miss. Our reports are professionally presented and are clear, concise, and easy to follow. We endeavour to give our clients a first class service every time.
If you would like to contact us for more information on our air tightness and thermal imaging services, please contact us on 01525 303905 or email us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk.