Thermal Scan Routine

[pabrioux]

Hi everyone,

I'd be very interested in hearing about how people conduct their thermal imaging scans, when done as a seperate service from a home inspection. For example, what is your routine, where do you start, go to next, etc..., and end...

I'm set to order my first camera this week and would like to start with some good habits and routines!

Thanks, any ideas are very much appreciated!

Paul-Marc

[rmaday]

Wasn't this covered in your training?

[pabrioux]

Hi Richard,

Well I took John's course back in the summer. There was a fair bit of info, indeed and I do need to go over the resources I've got and what's readily available. I was just looking for a little feedback from experienced guys to see if my ideas are far off from what others are doing. That's all.

Thanks,
Paul-Marc

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by pabrioux

Hi Richard,

Well I took John's course back in the summer. There was a fair bit of info, indeed and I do need to go over the resources I've got and what's readily available. I was just looking for a little feedback from experienced guys to see if my ideas are far off from what others are doing. That's all.

Thanks,
Paul-Marc

Cool, just asking. I am going to get into IR this year. My next question was going to be what course you took.

Thanks,
Rick

[Greg Bell]

The level 1 really doesn't go into what you should do as a home inspector.

[Jason Kaylor]

Originally Posted by gbell

The level 1 really doesn't go into what you should do as a home inspector.

Have any of you guys done any of the building diagnostic course held by Snell or Infraspection? I would think it would actually be more in tune to what you guys do rather than the complete level 1.

Just a guess though, someone who actually did it would know for sure.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Sales
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
FLIR Thermal Imagers
Fluke TiR1 Resources
FLIR B60 Resources

[Larry D. Kage]

Here are some Standards that may be helpful to you:

https://secure.infraspection.com/com...?idCategory=28

I also enjoyed the BUILDING SCIENCES APPLICATIONS course that FLIR/ITC put on.

[pabrioux]

Originally Posted by Jason Kaylor

Have any of you guys done any of the building diagnostic course held by Snell or Infraspection? I would think it would actually be more in tune to what you guys do rather than the complete level 1.

Just a guess though, someone who actually did it would know for sure.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Sales
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
FLIR Thermal Imagers
Fluke TiR1 Resources
FLIR B60 Resources

Thanks, I'll look into those.

Paul-Marc

[pabrioux]

Originally Posted by lkage

Here are some Standards that may be helpful to you:

https://secure.infraspection.com/com...?idCategory=28

I also enjoyed the BUILDING SCIENCES APPLICATIONS course that FLIR/ITC put on.

Thanks Larry, I'll look into those too!
Paul-Marc

[John Snell]

Originally Posted by pabrioux

Thanks Larry, I'll look into those too!
Paul-Marc

There is also an ASTM standard for building inspections ("C-1060, Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings") that covers the process in great detail. This is a standard that is widely recognized in industry as ASTM has been around for a long time and is very well respected. Cost of a download is about $30 from www.astm.org.

We also do offer a number of distance learning modules that relate to your question. Some of these are scheduled to be viewed live while others are recorded so they can be viewed anytime. There is a nominal charge for most of these and you can find details at our website page: https://www.thesnellgroup.com/InfraredWebinars.aspx

Stay in touch. I look forward to hearing more about your success in this new venture.

Thermally yours,

John Snell
ASNT NDT Thermal/Infrared Level III #48166
Snell Infrared
800-636-9820
802-229-9820
http://www.thesnellgroup.com
http://www.IRTalk.com
http://www.learnnewsolutions.com/

[jbettencourt]

I found that Level 1 was very helpful for building diagnostics. It helped to teach me how to properly use the camera to help draw out the anomally that I was scanning. Our knowledge as home inspectors then helps us diagnose why that anomally may be present. I took my Level 1 training with Snell in Richmond Hill , Ontario and their class room actually has built in building defects that you scan during the course to help you get used to understanding what you are seeing when scanning and how to manipulate the camera and the environment to help draw out the best possible image. As far as a routine I follow the same route I would during a home inspection, level by level. But it all depends what you were called out to scan for in the first place, moisture issues, insulation issues, general scan, I think you see what I am saying. Pierre I was at John's course in Toronto in the summer as well, e-mail me at hometestinspections@hotmail.com or call me at 905-730-3049 and I will be happy to help if I can.

[Peter C. Russell]

Outside of knowing how to use the camera, I always do each inspection the same, meaning, just like I do a home inspection. I start and end the same every time so each inspection become routine, also take 3 or 4 more pictures then you need for your report. Keep the best for your report but always save all the pictures to a disk and put them in your clients folder for reference later if you need them.
Good luck!

[pabrioux]

Thank you John, Jerry and Peter! People like you guys make this message board such a great resource. Your advice, links for resources etc are all appreciated and I will be using them.
I just ordered my first camera...I've been studying them since last summer. The sales lady convinced me to buy a slightly better one than I had anticipated...(I think I've heard this advice before on the message board too). Great for me, great for her....not so great for my wife!!! Ok, gotta run. I'm making dinner tonight. And tomorrow night, and the next night, etc....!!!

Anyways, thanks again.
Paul-Marc