Ask This Question Before Hiring a Company for IR Inspections

Is the person performing your thermal imaging/IR inspections qualified and able to provide you the accurate and detailed results you expect?

At Heat Seeking Thermal Imaging, my technicians and I are very passionate about the great value our services provide our clients. We take great pride in the work we do and want to ensure the job is always done properly. While there may be some pitfalls in choosing companies to perform IR inspections, you can ask verify the qualifications of a company before choosing a service provider.

As thermal imaging equipment becomes more mainstream and affordable to purchase, it’s important to remember that every camera will not provide the same results as another. Many variables are present, which can hinder IR inspections and the results received. As with any task, proper equipment is a requirement of the job. Thermal imaging and IR inspections are no different.

Proper Equipment for IR Inspections

Proper equipment and requirements for IR inspections includes, but isn’t limited to:

• Picture quality of the equipment being used (pixel resolution)
• Level of sensitivity of the equipment
• Field-of-view available
• Ability to set particular and critical parameters within the device
• A certified and trained knowledgeable operator

An operator performs IR inspections in an appropriate manner and follows the steps required to achieve the maximum results for the client. For example, an electrical inspection cannot be performed if a listed connection is visible with the naked eye, whether it be through an IR inspection viewing device or covers are removed to provide this visual access.

Thermal imaging equipment is not an extreme machine. It cannot see through covers and barriers. Some indirect temperature measurements can be achieved with limited accuracy. Some of these barriers, for example, would be such things as rubber and Bakelite, which are used to isolate and insulate some electrical connections.

Trained and Certified for IR Inspections

Ensure the company and the technician you choose are indeed trained and certified in the area you are asking them to perform this service. It would be highly advised to request copies of thermal imaging certification (as well as any other certifications they may have), experience and safety certifications. This can be extremely important especially for electrical inspections with all the liabilities and safety requirements that need to be present to minimize liability to the client through OH&S regulations as well as Canadian electrical code restrictions.

As often in the case, especially in tougher economic times, most look at the price point of the IR inspections process. If quotes are obtained for a specific project and one quote presented is extremely lower than the others, there is probably a reason for this and it is usually not that they are able to do the job cheaper than anyone else. It is most likely a result of the inspection process not being performed and carried out properly.

Unacceptable shortcuts are likely going to be taken to speed up the process, which in turn will provide faulty data and information. These types of inferior IR inspections can lead to inaccurate results and information, which provides the end user with a false sense of security of the condition of their systems. Additionally, this can result in potential damage to equipment and even as extreme as personal injury to personnel working in these areas should a serious incident occur.

For qualified thermal imaging and IR inspections, contact Heat Seeking Thermal Imaging for a quote and more information.