Building Thermography

All components of a building emit infrared radiation - heat that is invisible to the human eye. The infrared camera observes this infrared radiation and displays an image of the thermal patterns electronically.

Technicians skilled and qualified in building diagnostics can establish from these image which elements have surface heat patterns that signify conductive or convective heat loss/gain.

In building thermography, surveys tend to be qualitative rather than quantitative. In practice we are seeking comparative areas that exhibit disparate characteristics or thermal patterns, under the same conditions, as a means of identification and highlighting areas that require further investigation, remedial attention, or indeed, confirming that a previous fault has been rectified.

An infrared survey may require support by referring to construction drawings, moisture meters, humidity and temperature data-logging, anemometers, barometers, blower doors and smoke pencils.

A "quantitative" thermal investigation may also help determine the magnitude of an anomaly, by taking temperature readings from the recorded images.