Advantages of Infrared Certifications?

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by gromicko

In fact, I think issuing IR certificates to non-members should be outlawed, as it incorrectly implies to consumers, and maybe even to the students themselves, that they are qualified to use the IR camera on a home or commercial property inspection. They are not, unless they are inspectors as well. The camera is a tool, like a hammer. Being able to sing a hammer or drive a nail doesn't make you a carpenter.

Much of what makes the tool (camera) useful on an inspection is an understanding of roofing leaks, plumbing leaks, mold, ventilation, stucco, EIFS, grading, downspouts, gutters, french drains, HVAC, insulation, energy efficiency, condensation, etc. InterNACHI's membership requirements include taking our comprehensive courses on these subjects.

That is why we refuse to issue the Infrared Certified professional designation to non-inspectors (you must be a member of InterNACHI). Our position regarding IR certifications being issued to non-inspectors is reflected in the requirements to become Infrared Certified. The Infrared Certified is a designation unique and particular to home and commercial inspection professionals.

It very common for a certain industry to develop "in-house"
training for it's thermographers. Nicks above post is exactly
right that your background in construction is needed to do
a proper IR scan of residential or commercial buildings.

If you would like to see for yourself, simply go find a Level III
thermographer who has never had a construction background
and ask him his opinion of a variety of IR images of various
building defects. All the ones I have talked to have told me they
would be the first to admit that they would never attempt to
diagnose images regarding building defects.

I have never heard any Level III thermographer say their
IR certification qualified them to do building inspection. I have
no idea where David A. gets that idea.

When I sat next to Level II, & III thermographers during the
building science course I took with FLIR-ITC, they said just
trying to get a passing grade in that IR class was hard enough
like it was, let alone to go out and make the foolish mistake
of attempting to do a real life home inspection. I had to
admire their common sense and humility.

[John McKenna]

INFRARED CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

You must be a member in good standing of InterNACHI.
Membership requirements are at: http://www.nachi.org/membership.htm

Offical iNACHI Thermal Imaging & Building Science course... 16 hrs
($500 - comes with free iNACHI membership)

All classes below are FREE to members
Electrical course... 4 hrs
Plumbing course... 8 hrs
Roofing course... 4 hrs
HVAC course... 12 hrs
Structural course... 4 hrs
Exterior Inspection course... 16 hrs
Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Inspection course... 14 hrs
Moisture Intrusion Inspection course... 8 hrs
Energy Audit course... 24 hrs

This adds up to 110 hours plus the initial requirements of courses and testing when joining InterNACHI.

[ldapkus]

Originally Posted by jkaylor

Brandon,

Personally I would not recommend I,II,III if you are going to stay within building diagnostics. I would go level I then a building and roof course. Then get some experience, about 6 months worth. At that point figure out if you want to do electro-mechanical, then add on level II.

Another option is to do level I then check out United Infrared. UI is owned partially by Greg Stockton. He is easily the best and most profitable IR company in the country. Greg is also a really great guy. His partner, Peter Hopkins, is probably the leading authority in the country in equine IR and is really good on the IR marketing front.

JJ

From what I gathered at the United Infrared site, you pay them a 10-15% referral fee on all jobs you get. ($25 for each referral) If it is an annual inspection, you pay United the referral fee for every follow up/annual inspection for that job. The roof IR module is an additional $2500 for their training. ITC has a roofing inspection class for less than half of that cost.
Their IR Energy scan module is $1500 to train you to do their $299 basic energy scans without a blower door (what's up with that Jason, no blower door?) No BPI or RESNET Certification here. I charge $349 for an IR energy scan.
If you use a blower door you get $399.
United may be a place for a new start up infrared business if you have no experience.

[James H. Bushart]

RESNET Adopts Guidelines for Thermographic
Inspections of Buildings

RESNET has broken new ground in performance testing by adopting the nation's first procedures for incorporating the thermographic inspections in the energy ratings and audits of buildings. The thermal imaging technology has advanced significantly in the past few years and the price of equipment has grown more affordable.
The guidelines provides guidance on the use of infrared thermography for the inspection of low rise, three stories or less, wood or steel frame, residential and light commercial buildings. The purposes of the guidelines are to:

• Provide for the means by which raters and energy auditors can obtain a RESNET advanced certification in infrared thermography.
• Provide inspection guidance in using infrared thermography for air intrusion and insulation inspections.
• Provide a possible substitute for an insulation inspection on a new building where viewing of the insulation installation was not accomplished before the drywall was applied.

The guidelines includes information for:

• Using an infrared imaging system to determine radiation differences associated with surface temperature variations of a building enclosure
• Determining whether the areas being viewed meet the specifications in The guideline and in the RESNET 2006 Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System Standards.
• Documenting the type and extent of any observed anomalies,
• Locating the primary areas needing further physical inspection,
• Providing an indication of thermal insulation performance and continuity,
• Indicating areas affected by air and convection when an infrared imaging system is used in combination with blower door operation.

The guidelines were drafted by the RESNET Infrared Scanning Task Force. The task force based the guidelines on existing ASTM and ISO thermographic standards as well as Canadian and United Kingdom standards.

It is the intent that RESNET will incorporate the guidelines into the RESNET national home energy rating standards when the work on developing the new chapter on performance testing is completed.

To download the standard click on http://www.resnet.us/standards/RESNE...guidelines.pdf

[ldapkus]

Resnet Approved Training

[Jason Kaylor]

Yeah, that is weird Linus. Several of their members have bought blower doors from us for the EnergyScanIR module. I will have to give Peter a call and see why they even offer the scan without the door.

JJ

[ldapkus]

Looks like Clean Edison offers IR roofing inspection training. I thought they just did BPI/RESNET/LEED training/certification. Nevermind, I see they offer lots of Infrared courses/certifications.

[Jason Kaylor]

Originally Posted by ldapkus

Looks like Clean Edison offers IR roofing inspection training. I thought they just did BPI/RESNET/LEED training/certification. Nevermind, I see they offer lots of Infrared courses/certifications.

They also do photovoltaic, geothermal, hybrid and they just started offering lead training.

I had the pleasure to be able to go out to NY and spend a week with Clean Edison and their crew. Really cool, down to earth people that are really professional.

JJ

[Nick Gromicko]

Clean Edison's part owner, Lauren Carson, grew up 5 streets down from me and she is a good friend of mine. Clean Edison offers very good training.