Infrared thermography for Commercial and Industrial Applications

Quality infrared inspections performed on a regular basis combined with timely repairs can reduce down time, and improve profits and safety. Commercial Infrared imaging is a key tool in any predictive maintenance program. We conduct Mechanical Infrared and Electrical Infrared surveys.  Infrared Imaging Services LLC is a BlockWallScanIR™ Service Provider,  specializing in the infrared surveys of CMU (concrete masonry unit) walls.  This method is accurate, non-destructive, and inexpensive for finding missing grout in CMU walls. We are a RoofScanIR™Service Provider for performing infrared surveys of flat roofs to detect and document roof moisture. We also specialize in building heat loss surveys to find wasted energy in commercial and residential structures.

Flat Roof moisture inspection with  RoofScanIR -  No More Guessing!

• Heat is usually the first sign of failure, thermal imaging detects these failures in their early stages allowing us the opportunity to take preemptive corrective action
• Infrared is an effective Predictive Maintenance tool
• Pin point wet insulation in flat roofs
• Serve as a quality insurance tool for new installations or repairs
• CMU walls can have grout inspected without damaging the wall or slowing the construction process
• No down time for equipment, inspect while in operation and under load.
• Reduce equipment damage and spare parts inventory
• Save energy, reduce cooling and heating costs
• Improve safety and reliability.
• Save on insurance premiums

Thermal infrared cameras can see overheating motors and bearings, hot or overload electrical connections and breakers, blocked or leaking heating/cooling pipes, water/steam leaks, tank levels, reinforcement in CMU walls, flat roof leaks and missing insulation.

 CMU wall inspection with  Blockwall ScanIR -  Quality control made simple!

	In both images reinforcement grout shows as being lighter in color. Missing reinforcement grout shows as a darker region.

You might think that the only way you can know whether the grouted cells, bond beams, insulation and other components of a CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) wall are properly placed, is to open the wall with a hammer or drill, where the grout or insulation is supposed to be and see if it is there.

BlockWallScanIR™ infrared testing method can be performed at any time during the construction process without interrupting any other trades or affecting the progress of the rest of the building.

There are two benefits that arise from having a BlockWallScanIR™ infrared test performed on your newly constructed CMU walls. First, a documented record of the grouted cells and other structural components (in-situ) is created. Secondly, when and if deficiencies are found, a report can be generated so that corrections can be made with surgical precision.

The owner gets what he paid for and the designers can ‘literally’ see that their specifications have been followed.

Infrared inspections reveal the thermal differences within materials and can be applied across a wide range of applications.

	The image on the left is one small section of a huge cement water tank. There was a leak as evident by the many cracks and water seepage . Infrared Imaging Services LLC was called in to identify the source point. The water traveled down the vertical line to the lower section where the leak resumed.
The image at the right is a close up of what was determined to be the source point located between the two "X" in the above image.
Building energy loss- An infrared inspection of insulated suspended ceiling tiles can quickly locate missing or displaced insulating fiber batts. Reducing energy loss and lowering utility bills.
	In many parts of the United States a common building practice for commercial structures is to elevate the building on support columns and place an unheated parking garage directly below the first story. This practice exposes the underside of the first occupied level and its associated plumbing to the outside environment. In this image, misplaced insulation batts on top of suspended tiles are clearly visible. At this facility 100's of tiles had insulation deficiencies like these causing a significant heat loss problem for the building owner. An infrared inspection of a suspended insulated ceiling can quickly reveal thermal patterns caused by missing, misapplied, or damaged insulation. Areas exhibiting excess energy loss may then be visually inspected and repaired.

It is sometimes difficult to get the "Big picture" of building heat loss without using infrared. An internal check of all insulation and sealing would not show how the metal beams and support structures were conducting heat out of the building. These high resolution infrared images show what was missed during an internal inspection by the building owner. Infrared Imaging Services LLC will conduct an exterior infrared survey of your building to reveal defects which are wasting energy and costing you money.

Computer data centers

Computer data centers have racks of equipment generating large amounts of heat which needs to be effectively removed. Also present are dedicated power panels, UPS supplies, back up generators, power transfer switches and hundreds of individual power cords and outlets! Each one of these items is a potential point of failure and therefore thermal imaging should be added to the centers predictive maintenance program.

Datacenters - Use our infrared services to ensure uniform airflow and to find MTBF robbing hot spots. Thermographic images should be taken as quality control of any newly installed equipment, center expansion or system overhaul.

Note the hot spot on this AC plug to one of the servers in this data center. Of the several plugs in this cabinet, only this one exhibited a temperature rise exceeding 15oF.

Thermal  imaging can quickly scan hundreds of plugs like these for the early problem signs leading to decreased MTBF. Also, if its not hot, you are saving energy!

Infrared is the perfect tool for datacenters, it's non contact , can be done with the center in full operation and is predictive in nature giving you the advanced warning signals you  need make repairs BEFORE something fails.

 We provide Infrared video service, see your thermal process in action!

This image (right) is an infrared thermograph showing a pillow block bearing. Notice the bright yellow glow indicating it is hot and potentially overheating.

This condition, if undetected and unaddressed, may lead to catastrophic failure of the part, potentially damage other equipment, and cause unscheduled down time.

Thermal imaging inspection if perfect for businesses and factories with electrical distribution panels, UPS power supplies, steam systems and HVAC systems. Rotating equipment such as bearings, belts, motors, gear boxes, and other mechanical systems can take considerable advantage of the benefits in early detection and productivity savings thermal imaging technology has to offer.

Smart companies are saving time and money by incorporating an infrared inspection program into their overall predictive maintenance strategy

Applications include:

• Electrical Systems – Loose/corroded connections, overloaded circuits, faulty equipment
• Construction - CMU Blockwall Scan for missing or improperly placed grout
• Under slab/floor radiant heating and steam pipe leaks
• Mechanical Equipment – Motors, bearings, belts and transmissions
• Process Equipment – Pipe blockages, coolant leaks, steam traps, tank levels
• Building Systems – HVAC systems, building envelopes, flat roofs
• Data Centers – Airflow analysis, UPS systems, emergency generators

Scientific applications -Tire wear analysis

	The heat build up along the right edge of this tire was caused by an alignment problem. Using our High Resolution camera, we were able to detect this problem long before the tire started to show traditional signs of uneven wear. The problem was corrected and this expensive tire was saved!
	The Graph on the left shows the  temperature distribution for the tire image. This is an example of how a quantitative approach can be used to extract additional data from an IR image. Using tools like this graph make it easier to see and understand the exact distribution of temperature across the tire's surface. Consult with us to see how High resolution Infrared thermography can give you insight into your application.
	It takes only a few seconds to determine that in this image of a Transformer (left), there is something very wrong and hot. This could be due to several conditions but only Infrared can find it quickly and safely. Infrared is a proven and cost effective way to find these problems fast and early so they can be corrected before catastrophic failure occurs, causing unscheduled down time and loss of production revenue.
	In this infrared image of a high temperature steam boiler (left), we can easily see that the insulation on the inside of this vessel has deteriorated. Only infrared imaging provides a fast, safe, non-contact method of inspection!

In very little time, a well-trained thermographer can see these problems, allowing you to schedule the repair before unscheduled failure happens.

The cost of an IR scan is small in comparison to its benefits. Return on investment is very easy to justify!

Think ahead, call Infrared!

Contact us today to ensure your company is taking advantage of all the benefits Infrared technology has to offer.  

Infrared Imaging Services LLC / Energy-Sleuth™

845-641-5482

We are certified and insured.