Between living and working, we spend most of our time in buildings. The buildings vary in type and construction, but ultimately their purpose is to shelter us in a comfortable and safe environment that can be maintained over its life cycle.
All too often, however, buildings are not comfortable or healthy places to be, with unanticipated failures being very common. Thermography can help ensure that buildings are constructed and maintained with a high degree of quality.
Thermography (Infrared) is most commonly used to detect heat, air, and moisture deficiencies through the following types of inspections:
- Insulation Inspections: Determine the presence and effectiveness of insulation in the building enclosure.
- Air Leakage Inspections: Determine the location of excessive air leakage past the building envelope.
- Moisture Inspections: Determine the location of moisture in building components and systems. Special consideration is given to the conditions techniques required for locating moisture in low slope-roof systems.
- Human Thermal Comfort Inspections: Address Personal discomfort issues (this is one priority issue where thermography is utilized)
- Structural Inspections: Verify the presence of structural members beneath the building envelope surfaces.
- Electrical & Mechanical Inspections: Validate the performance of the electrical and mechanical systems used in the building, especially larger commercial buildings.
Cornerstone Thermal Solutions can assist in preparing a comprehensive inspection designed around your needs to restore and ensure your comfort and building investments.
To plan your maintenance solution and thermal inspection call Cornerstone Thermal Solutions today at (832) 661-1980.
Roof Moisture Detection (Moisture Survey)
Most commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings are constructed with low-slope (flat) roofs. These roofs are often of less importance in a building maintenance plan, perhaps relegated to being looked at in the spring and fall. The roof system all too often receives attention only when it leaks.
The primary costs associated with roo failures are:
- Excessive energy consumption due to the reduced insulating value of wet insulation.
- Losses due to water leakage into the building resulting in damages ranging from minor nuisances to catastrophic and life threatening. Leaking roofs can cause total production and electrical system outages with water invading electrical switchgear and critical production equipment.
- Damage to the roof membrane and the structural roof components.
- Loss of salvage value to the roof insulation at the time of replacement due to degradation from water intrusion. Even if a leak is corrected, large quantities of water are left in the roof system to cause further damage to roof components as they rust, rot, and degrade.
Thermography is the basis for condition based maintenance of a roof system. Rather than just patching the roof year after year, the actual condition can be evaluated and steps taken to maintain the roof in a serviceable condition to realize its full life expectancy. You can see beyond the surface of the roof membrane to detect defects indicated by moisture, or wet insulation.
A comprehensive Infrared roof moisture survey is by far the easiest way to maintain a roof and to extend its life beyond what it would be without a condition-based maintenance program.
To plan your Infrared roof inspection, call Cornerstone Thermal Solutions today at (832) 661-1980.
Electrical Systems Maintenance
Unseen faults in commercial electrical systems are extremely dangerous and can lead to extensive down time and costly repairs.
Thermography is utilized to validate the performance and condition of electrical systems. When problems occur, they are often accompanied by abnormal heating. This heating is associated with either high resistance at a point of electrical contact or excessive current flow. Infrared thermography allows us to see these invisible thermal, or heat, patterns. – often long before damage or failure occurs.
An added benefit of the technology utilized for Infrared inspections is the inspections are performed without touching or interfering with electrical systems or equipment, most often while the systems are fully energized and operational.
Locating problems in electrical systems prior to failure has tremendous value. The primary benefits of condition-based inspections of electrical systems include the following:
- Increased Safety
- Increased system reliability, or uptime
- Reduced unscheduled outages or downtime
- Reduced damage and repair costs
- Reduced overall maintenance costs
- Improved production rates and quality
- Improved customer satisfaction and relationships
- Quality assurance of new installations and repairs
These benefits can provide returns on the investment in the technology that exceed those provided by almost any other in maintenance today. In addition to the inherent safety of this type inspection (hands off), once potential problems are discovered, repairs can be scheduled during planned maintenance shutdowns, minimizing or eliminating costly downtime.
A thermographic inspection program can help identify potential problems and associated risks while minimizing downtime. The frequency of thermographic inspections may depend on factors such as the type of equipment, environment, working load, age, type, and operational importance of the equipment. Thermographic inspections should be performed by qualified personnel or technicians. It is important to identify key equipment to be inspected, procedures for testing, and a method for recording and trending results. Examples of key equipment to include in a thermographic inspection program include:
- Incoming electrical distribution equipment not owned by the utility.
- Transformers, main electrical switchgears, switchboards, load centers, and critical panelboards.
- Electrical busses and bus ducts.
- Motors and motor controllers.
- Electrical equipment critical to business operations or that pose a potential prolonged business interruption scenario.
Additionally, many insurance companies require commercial businesses to have an infrared electrical system scan. Some insurance companies even offer premium discounts for having this as part of a risk management program. However, some companies require you to have thermal inspections performed to provide an insurance policy.
To formulate your maintenance solution and to plan your thermal inspection call Cornerstone Thermal Solutions today at (832) 661-1980.
Unseen problems in commercial mechanical equipment are dangerous and can lead to extensive down time and costly repairs. Faulty components put your facility at risk for mechanical failure potentially leading to fires and other safety hazards.
A maintenance program with periodic infrared inspections of critical building equipment is important in maintaining the safety and performance of your building operations. Locating problems in mechanical systems and equipment prior to failure has tremendous value. The primary benefits of condition-based inspections of mechanical systems include the following:
- Increased Safety
- Increased system reliability, or uptime
- Reduced unscheduled failures or downtime
- Reduced damage and repair costs
- Reduced overall maintenance costs
- Improved production rates and quality
- Improved customer satisfaction and relationships
- Quality assurance of new installations and repairs
Infrared inspections can be used to identify potential problems with equipment and systems, including:
- Leaks in steam driven equipment, steam traps, radiators and insulation
- Hot bearings in facility equipment
- Conveyor systems (drive trains and belts)
- Hydraulic systems, gear boxes, and pumps
- Equipment cooling systems
A proactive Infrared Inspection can save your company thousands of dollars in reduced downtime, equipment failures and fire prevention. “Seeing beyond the surface” can reduce costly man hours needed for hands on diagnosis, focusing your maintenance efforts where they are most needed.
Call CTS today for a comprehensive evaluation of your facilities. (832) 661-1980
Cornerstone has extensive experience with building damage assessment and large loss cost analysis. Whether you’re faced with catastrophic weather damage, fire, or maintenance damages, Cornerstone Building Consultants are ready to assist you in developing a plan for recovery of your property.
- Cornerstone is well versed in cause and origin identification for all types of weather related damage.
- With leading technologies, Cornerstone can identify damages and prepare cost analysis estimates for the proper recovery of your property.
- Cornerstone can work with your contractor to develop repair plans and set expectations for the period of restoration.
- Complete documentation of any loss or damage is established with detailed, comprehensive reporting.
Cornerstone Building Consultants strive to provide the most comprehensive services for the restoration of your property. With proper documentation and reporting, the road to recovery can be identified and repairs can be completed in an efficient and timely manner.
Call Cornerstone Building Consultants today for a comprehensive evaluation of your building evaluation needs. (832) 661-1980