No one is attacking here yet John except that you always get VERY defensive when the experienced try to talk common sense and real world stuff.
You made comments about my post that I never said.
That is not is why I ask you to relax and not attack.
I am willing to listen to your ideas but I may not always
apply them.
We try to share our experience and the difficulties involved, but it appears to threaten your livelihood based on your belligerent and inaccurate responses.
**You share your opinion and I share mine. You assume that
your opinion is gospel. But go ahead.
**
You ask about prerequisite qualifications… I answered with food for thought for those entering the field.
I am looking for specific answers, not just more questions.
I am not associated with HomeSafe, however I did take their course through ITA at the time. A very intensive 2 week course that incorporated level I training with building science and a whole lot more. Then required beyond the classroom, 2 days of field training with the instructor and a proctored exam at the end. Perhaps you could call it an introductory course, but it was far more detailed and in depth regarding the science, the limitations, the pitfalls, the difficulties and how to overcome some of them, etc. It also helped me understand that low end cameras on the market which were marketed as adequate for residential applications, were nowhere near the level needed for a “general” home inspection under “general” conditions for the majority of the country most of the year.
What do you recommend?
Had I purchased a low end camera, it would stay in the box more than 1/2 the year due to environmental conditions experienced in my region. I would be SEVERELY limited in my ability to use the camera accurately and consistently.
I use my camera all year because I simply add AC or heat
as needed.
It is FAR FAR more than point and shoot technology and any ole camera will due for starters thinking. Inadequate, low end cameras become a huge disappointment as we see here routinely on this very message board experienced by your students and others who opted to take the cheap route into the field. They based their purchase decisions on sales pitches and introductory offerings rather than education.
FLIR-ITC teaches that 120x120 resolution can be used for
home inspections. More is always better, but they do
indeed teach this. What do you recommend?
This is something that many of us with higher experience levels and education try to forewarn everyone of. Through all the bantering we are really trying to help, but unfortunately it falls on deaf ears and largely based on posts from a vendor with an agenda trying to sell his wares under the guise of saving his students money…
FLIR-ITC and RESNET do not agree with your ideas of a
minimum standard. But I agree, more is always better.
After my training, I felt VERY confident in my abilities. I did not have to answer questions such as those I receive on a weekly basis from your students about why an AFCI breaker appears hot, or why we see bands in an AC condenser upon startup, or why one cannot “see” moisture or standing water in certain conditions (which are VERY common in most “general” infrared home inspections), or should I perform a scan when there are no utilities, or can I perform a scan if there is heavy fog and high humidity… the list of questions goes on and on and which were ALL answered in my introductory course,
**All those issues are in our IR class. We have some move into
IR very quickly (good background) and we see some that
find out they have a lot more to learn than what a
introduction course, such as mine or level I, can provide.
Many who have taken level I have these same type of
questions, but that does not mean level I is not a good
course.
BTW… I thought you were not going to attack?
**
or at minimum gave me the ability to think it through with the science I was taught. I don’t mind answering their questions as I thoroughly enjoy discussing thermal imaging, but I often hear their disappointment when I ask why their introductory course didn’t teach them these basic skills because I know mine did.
I hear dozens tell me our IR class was better than level I…
but each person has their own opinion.
No sir… someone wants to take a course to learn how to turn their camera on and discover some of the cool stuff they may be able to find… well by all means take your course. But the very same stuff is included with the imager they purchase.
**No… our IR class goes way beyond the little info that comes
with a new camera. You have not taken our course.
I thought you were not going to attack?**
But if someone wants to truly, truly understand what it is they are “seeing” and the ability to think things through, and the ability to confidently interpret an image… start with a level I course at minimum and go up from there.
What do you recommend is the minimum for a home
inspector? Can they start after level I…?
My previous post in fact DID stay with home inspections. Those are all pertinent factors and considerations in a “general home inspection”. The point of the matter is, you say none of those considerations are necessary until one wants to branch out into commercial and industrial applications.
**
No, I never said that. The only thing I have ask is what
level of experience would a home inspector need to get
started? Do you have a simple answer?**
Try not to attack.
No additional knowledge level needed. No higher end equipment needed. Just plain old “good enough” mentality.
I never said that.
Unfortunately as anyone can see, those consideration are NOT limited to industrial and commercial settings. They are VERY present in each and every home you inspect. If you don’t have the knowledge and equipment to handle these situations, then what are you really performing which you call an “infrared home inspection”?
Then tell us what qualification does a home inspector need?
Keep it to the point. Short answers. You have given us lots
of things to consider, now give us a simple answer.
What then are you scanning, why are you scanning it, and what is it you’re looking for?
