Thermal Imaging for Industry and Business

Thermal Imaging is the very latest service being demanded by maintenance professionals. Because it is a predictive maintenance system it provides a rapid means of identifying problem areas and locating faults that are not detectable using conventional methods.

As there is no surface contact Thermal Imaging surveys can be carried out under normal working conditions with minimal or no disruption to staff or interruption of plant operations. Contractors use thermographically trained staff to measure the temperature of anomalies with hotspots or coldspots giving an indication of fault severity.

This allows remedial work to be prioritised and a response by a maintenance team can be scheduled. So, Thermal Imaging is a valuable tool for predictive maintenance, rather than reactive maintenance.

Checking electrical circuitry will reveal anomalies (hotspots). Once identified the contractor can then advise on what further action needs to be taken. This may provide cost savings through energy efficiency, or the avoidance of potentially dangerous situations such as fire hazards. Typical causes are loose connections, overloaded circuits or imbalanced phases.

Identifying anomalies (hotspots) on motors and other machinery can help prevent failure of bearings or other critical components. This allows the scheduling of remedial maintenance and avoids costly breakdowns and unscheduled downtime.

Trained thermographer’s can provide advice on the integrity of buildings e.g. reporting on poor insulation, air leakage, damp, flat roof leaks, cold sore leaks etc.

The thermal imaging procedure involves producing images by the surveying of electrical, mechanical or structural parts of a building by viewing otherwise invisible thermal radiation with specialist equipment.

These images are then stored before being downloaded to specialist analysis software, after which the clients advisory report is prepared.

The very nature of analysing heat anomalies in industrial premises means that you are alerted to possible fire risks and component failure, which subsequently saves the company money which would otherwise be spent on business interruptions or claims on insurance.

Thermal Imaging is not a statutory requirement but many insurers, risk managers and building maintenance personnel are now recognising its significant contribution in planned and predictive maintenance not otherwise recognised in statutory obligations.