Thermal Imaging Diagnostics, Inc.

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Introduction to Infrared Electrical Survey
Introduction to Infrared Roof Moisture Survey
Nuclear Moisture Survey
The Roof InSPEC Survey
Concrete Scanning Services (MRI)

The infrared electrical survey is one type of non-evasive diagnostic tool designed to help locate areas of concern for the major electrical distribution equipment and components of your facility. Infrared electrical testing of major power components within commercial buildings is a “preventive maintenance” program recognized by most insurance companies, regulatory agencies, accreditation organizations, and industry professionals. If electrical distribution equipment does not undergo routine yearly PM inspection, costly power failure and equipment damage is likely to result. Infrared electrical testing makes it possible to schedule maintenance and repairs more efficiently, to anticipate and avoid equipment failure or to schedule equipment upgrading and improvement.

Using a state of the art, Raytheon TVS 600 Color Infrared Imaging Camera, the equipment captures the image or “thermal maps” of infrared heat energy that is emitted by the various electrical systems and control panels. Potential electrical problems will normally raise the temperature of the wiring and the surrounding electrical components (fuse, breaker, etc.). The degree of temperature difference can indicate from minor to critically serious problems within the equipment tested. These potential problems in many cases would otherwise go undetectable creating expensive and time consuming electrical breakdowns. The image of the equipment is photographed by the camera and stored as a digital photograph.

The thermograph scanner will provide temperature data for the Client’s designated electrical equipment located within the Client’s facility(ies). The data obtained is for the exclusive information and use by the Client. The conditions depicted in this report represent a nondestructive, non-intrusive survey approach using infrared thermography technology. The infrared thermograph technology is a special scanner that can detect temperature differences in objects to a high degree of accuracy. The sensitivity of the scanners used by Thermal Imaging Diagnostics is ± 2ž C or 2%. The temperature range of the object being scanned can range from -20° C to 300° C. This temperature range is sufficient to perform such testing. Thermal Imaging Diagnostics will identify temperature differences, present at the time of testing and rate the results based on a four point scale; Minor, intermediate, serious, and critical.

All elevated heat sources emits infrared energy bands that are "captured" in the video screen of the infrared camera. Depending on the exact temperature read by the equipment, the image is captured in various color gradations. Additionally, the surface temperature of the area is displayed on the video screen. A “real time” photograph of the equipment is also taken so that the infrared image can be compared with a picture of the equipment. The infrared image and the “real time” photograph of the scanned equipment are presented side by side for simplification of test results and easy identification of any “exception” captured by the equipment.

The infrared roof moisture survey is one type of diagnostic tool designed to help locate the areas of water infiltration into the insulation of commercial low-sloped roofing systems. Historically, once moisture begins to enter the roofing system, it is only a matter of time that water will become a leak into the building.

Using a state of the art Infrared Imaging Camera, the equipment captures the image of infrared heat energy radiating from the moisture trapped in the insulation substrate of the roof assembly. Interply moisture and water trapped on the deck level are also detected. This equipment is hand held and the test is performed on the roof during evening hours.

During a clear day, the sun's energy heats trapped moisture that has penetrated into the insulation boards of the roof assembly. At night, the roof surface cools to the ambient temperature of the evening air. Since water retains heat energy, the roof surface (membrane) above the wet insulation remains warmer than the roof surface above the dry insulation.

This trapped heat energy emits infrared energy waves that are "captured" in the video screen of the infrared camera. The "wet" area is viewed as a bright white area in the video screen of the camera. Areas of dry insulation remain "black" in the video screen of the camera. The elevated surface temperature of the wet area is also displayed on the video screen. These "hot" areas are then outlined on the roof surface with yellow marking paint. Random moisture probes, visual core examinations, or gravimetric core analysis (moisture content readings) are used to insure the accuracy of the camera readings. The core examination also allows the camera operator to become familiar with the roof assembly and to determine a "baseline" reading for dry roof insulation.

Nuclear Moisture Survey

This type of moisture survey is also considered “non destructive” as its use does not compromise the roof surface or membrane in any way. As with other methods of moisture detection, verification of results must be accomplished by the use of core cuts and/or gravimetric core analysis (moisture content). Nuclear Moisture detection is less weather sensitive than infrared and can be performed during daylight hours.

Nuclear detection locates moisture by detecting the concentration of hydrogen within the roof assembly. The roof is first divided into ten-foot grids along the length and width of the roof section. A radioactive source is contained within the nuclear gauge. When the instrument is activated, high speed “neutrons” are produced and emitted into the roof assembly for a seven second period of time. These neutrons collide with hydrogen atoms and are slowed down.

The instrument measures the rate of collision for a preset time (normally seven seconds) and similar to radar displays the count on a meter located on the machine. Abnormalities or spikes in the readings can indicate the presence of abnormal amounts of hydrogen readings that usually indicate the presence of water.

The results of the nuclear moisture survey and produced on a CAD “contour drawing” that documents all the numerical readings obtained. Areas that show abnormal high readings are shaded in color to define the possible or confirmed locations of moisture intrusion.

The nuclear detection method of moisture detection does not identify the exact location of water entry. The water entry source is normally located within the boundaries of the wet area identified by the camera. Locations of water entry can sometimes be found by visual, follow-up examination of the wet area. This visual examination is conducted during the daytime. All infrared moisture scans are performed in the evening.

The nuclear roof moisture gauge will not detect water that directly enters a building interior without first soaking and spreading into the underlying and surrounding insulation and roof deck. Water entering the building from caulking joints, wall cracks, defective air-conditioning equipment, broken vents, pipes, penetrations and/or pitch pans is usually not detected by the infrared equipment. The camera will only detect the "residual" water that remains under the roof assembly. This is why a visual inspection can account for leaks in areas where no residual moisture is found.

The Roof InSPEC Survey is a visual inspection report that combines all the elements of your roof system into a comprehensive management tool. The goal of the visual inspection is the following:

To discover the potential cause of leaks into the building
Identify areas of concern in the performance of the system for the potential of future roof/building leaks
Provide a “preventive maintenance” program as mandated by the warranty
Provide prospective building owners with a “due diligence” report on the roof
Provide budget figures for long-term inspection and preventive maintenance programs
Provide a “due diligence” condition report on the roofing system for contractors who will be using the roof as a staging area
Determine if the roof system is a candidate for long term maintenance and roof restoration (renovation)
Provide a thorough “due diligence inspection” of roofing work or system replacement by a contractor

The following areas of your roof system are inspected as part of the "InSPEC" Report:

Roof Assembly (roof membrane, insulation, deck, etc.)
Perimeter Details (parapet walls, roof edge metal, base flashings, gutters, scuppers, etc.)
Roof Penetrations (stacks, ducts, vents, pitch pans, expansion joints, drains, etc.)
Rooftop Equipment-(vents, air-conditioning units, chillers, skylights, satellite dishes, etc.)
Caulking Joints and other waterproofing structures (walls, parapets, etc.)

Note: Rooftop equipment is inspected as it relates to the performance and waterproofing integrity of the roof system. This includes inspection of equipment flashings, walkpads, pitchpans, equipment supports, etc.

The Report is divided into three sections; Facility Summary, Condition Report, and Condition Photo Album.

Thermal Imaging Diagnostics' Concrete Scanning Services is a portable and safe "magnetic resonance imaging" system used for detecting and measuring the depth of coverage, diameter and position of all metal reinforcing bars over vertical and horizontal concrete slabs and other structural elements. Results are obtained immediately at the job site so that drilling can commence immediately. Unlike typical X-Ray equipment, there are no safety precautions that have to be taken into consideration when the scanner is in use.

Verification of Reinforcement

Renovation of buildings when building plans are not at hand
Acceptance inspections of pre-cast concrete components
Checking of reinforcement before structural renovation
Verification of length of overlap
Post installed reinforcement
Examples: Industrial buildings, concrete ceilings, supporting beams, columns, etc.

Checking of Coverage

Building acceptance inspections
Coverage checking over large areas during renovation
Quality control
Examples: Tunnels, bridges, parking garages, etc.

Avoiding Rebar and Post Tension Cable Hits

Hammer drilling without costly and time-consuming problem of drilling into rebar and P.T. cables
No cutting through statically relevant reinforcing bars and P.T. cables
Achieve considerably longer drill bit life
Examples: Repetitive fastening applications, installations in elevator shafts, penetrations for waste water pipes and ventilation ducts, structural joints, etc.

Evaluation and Documentation

Specifically developed software permits further processing, evaluation, exact analysis and documentation of all the data recorded with the Thermal Imaging Scanning equipment.

All evaluation functions integrated in the scanning unit itself are integrated in the software
Prints out scanned images and reports including data from several points in the images
A complex analysis algorithm helps differentiate between closely spaced reinforcing bar