Buildotech Magazine Magazine on Building Technology & Sustainability
No residential or commercial building owner wants to face unexpected expenses for their properties. That is why Thermografisch Adviesbureau BV is called upon to inspect many buildings on a yearly basis to look for missing, damaged, or inadequate insulation; building envelope air leaks; moisture intrusion; and substandard work. The certified thermography inspectors of Thermografisch Adviesbureau BV have years of experience using FLIR thermal imaging cameras for a wide variety of survey applications.
Ralf Grispen, a Level I and Level II certified Infrared Thermographer, is a longtime FLIR thermal camera user as well. “We are still using a FLIR camera we acquired 20 years ago. Although the camera is much bigger and heavier than the current models available nowadays, the thermal image quality is still superb,” Grispen says. However, increasing requests for thermal inspections and an interest in upgrading to newer technology led Grispen and his team to add a new model to their collection of thermal cameras.
More demand for thermal inspections
More and more businesses and consumers want to save energy and money by making building properties more efficient. This has prompted an increasing number of clients to seek out Grispen and his team to request building inspections.
“Insulation companies, property managers and contractors are asking us more often to do an inspection for them and create a detailed report enabling them to plan and deliver projects more accurately,” Grispen explains. “Our team has grown over the last couple of years, and as a result of the added employees and increased demand, we invested in a new camera. Since we prefer FLIR cameras, we went to Sensor BV for their advice on the best, most advanced new technology for our application.”
Sensor BV, long term partner of FLIR Systems, advised Thermografisch Adviesbureau BV to consider the FLIR T540 model. “The 180° rotating lens platform and the 4” LCD display are already two features that directly stand out when you show a professional thermographer this camera,” says Ron van Sambeek of Sensor BV. “But when you turn on the camera and show the thermal imaging performance, as well as functions such as multi spectral dynamic imaging (MSX®) and 1-Touch Level/ Span, you can really see the evolution the technology has been going through.”
Flir 1-touch level/span
The 1-Touch Level/Span function proved its worth during one of the first building inspections Grispen performed with the T540. “1-Touch Level/Span helps you adjust the contrast instantly in an image, so your measurement target stands out against the background. This is really convenient when inspecting a large building with a lot of temperature differences on screen because you can focus more readily on a specific region without getting distracted by the rest of the image,” Grispen explains. “Another great feature for is is the autocalibrating interchangeable lenses. During inspections, we may need to look at areas close up, but then also from farther away. You can remove the lens and attach a different one very quickly, and then continue your work.”
More applications
Besides building inspections, the team of Thermograpi sch Adviesbureau BV is also performing a lot of electrical, industrial, and climate installation inspections, as well as airplane inspections.
