Thermal imaging of buildings: procedure, advantages of the method

Thermal imaging of buildings is a popular method that makes it possible to identify areas in which heat leaves the premises, to form an effective plan aimed at eliminating structural defects. What is the procedure? What are the features of its conduct? Let's try to answer these and other questions.

What is a thermal imager?

The device used to perform the thermal imaging survey reproduces the image, which shows how the temperature of the surfaces under study changes. The visual picture is displayed in real time on the instrument display. The range of individual temperatures is marked by different colors. In this case, the error in the indices is not more than 0.1 ^o C.

Thermal imaging of a building can also be performed by using an alternative device - a pyrometer. The main difference of the latter is the absence of a color monitor. At the same time, pyrometers are less expensive and allow measuring temperatures in a wider range.

What organizations are used for thermal imaging?

Thermal imaging control can be performed by the following structures:

• Commonwealth of homeowners and house managers;
• Energy and heat supply organizations;
• Power generating enterprises;
• Supervising state bodies.

Technique of carrying out thermal imaging

As you can see, for carrying out thermal imaging inspection of buildings and structures, a specialized camera is used that reproduces the image in infrared format. It should be noted immediately that such events do not need special preliminary preparation, however only in cases when thermal imaging is performed in the cold season.

During the study in the summer, the data obtained can be significantly distorted, due to the substantial heating of the surfaces by the sun's rays. To identify problem areas in the construction of a building using a thermal imaging device during the warm season, the use of air conditioners is required, which will cool the room from the inside.

If the above conditions are met, the thermal imaging of the house will allow obtaining high-quality photographs showing the areas of heat loss, deterioration of the thermal insulation condition, destruction of the enclosing structures, holes in the roof, etc.

Ultimately, surveying using a thermal imager provides an opportunity to assess the quality of the facility's construction. With the help of the device, it is possible to immediately detect structural defects that are invisible to the unaided eye, to reveal other errors of the builders.

Advantages of the research method

Thermal Imaging:

• Reduces the time required to determine the location of heat leakage areas through the gaps in the enclosing structures;
• Gives the opportunity to identify the so-called cold bridges;
• Allows to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the quality of work of specialists in the field of installation of ceilings;
• Helps to determine the areas of freezing in the insulating shells of the structure, to detect obvious wall defects.

Another clear advantage of using the thermal imager is the objectivity of the information received, as well as the ability to perform calculations of the highest accuracy. The device allows you to take pictures of both internal and external overlapping. Thus, the specialist is provided with data on all available types of defects.

Performing a survey using a thermal imager is absolutely safe. Moreover, in the course of carrying out the measures, the integrity of the object's constructions is not violated.

Survey of housing

Thermal imaging of housing is recommended to be done before its acquisition or acceptance of the act on the work performed from the construction organization. If at the examination critical defects in one of the sites of the object are fixed, the buyer has the full right to demand reduction of its cost. In case of detection of defects with the help of a thermal imager after payment - the building will have to be repaired by yourself.

Identification of flaws

Conducting thermal imaging is an extremely effective solution if visual fixation of the location of cracks in the ceilings, holes in window and doorways, brickwork is required. Determination of the exact location of these defects makes it possible, without special problems, to improve the storage of heat in the room.

Detection of shortcomings in the heating system

Thermal imaging provides an opportunity to analyze the efficiency of the functioning of heating systems. With the help of a specialized thermal imager it is enough to find out just how effective the available heaters are, how much heat is lost when they are placed in certain areas of the premises. Based on the received information, in the future it will be possible to eliminate shortcomings and increase the efficiency of heating systems by contacting the appropriate specialists for assistance.