Can two different materials appear as different temperatures even if nothing is wrong?

Yes. Different materials can have different thermal properties and surface characteristics. Their apparent temperatures can therefore differ even when the building is performing normally. This is another reason a thermogram should not be interpreted in isolation.

Does the colour on a thermal image represent a specific building condition?

No. Colours are a visual representation of temperature ranges selected by the equipment or operator. A bright, dark, red or blue area does not automatically represent moisture, heat loss or a defect. The actual temperature data and building context must be evaluated.

Can thermography eliminate the need for exploratory openings?

Sometimes it can help reduce and better target the number of exploratory openings, but it cannot always eliminate them. If important construction details or concealed conditions must be confirmed, targeted openings may still be required.

What happens after thermography identifies an anomaly?

The next step is to determine what may be causing it. Depending on the condition, this can involve visual examination, moisture measurements, water testing, review of construction details or targeted exploratory openings.

Can thermal images be included in a technical report?

Yes. Relevant thermograms can be included with conventional photographs, observations and technical interpretation. Reports should explain what was observed, the conditions during the survey and the significance and limitations of the findings.

Can thermography help with preventive building maintenance?

Yes. Thermal imaging can form part of a proactive building assessment strategy by helping identify anomalies before they necessarily develop into obvious interior damage. Findings can then be prioritized for additional investigation or maintenance.

Can infrared thermography reduce unnecessary destructive investigation?

Yes. One of its advantages is the ability to screen relatively large areas non-destructively and identify locations where more detailed investigation may be worthwhile. This can help make exploratory work more targeted and efficient.

What are the limitations of infrared thermography?

Thermography is influenced by environmental conditions, surface materials, building operation, access and the characteristics of the assembly being investigated. It does not see through walls, directly detect water or mold, or independently establish the cause of every thermal anomaly.

What is the typical infrared thermography investigation process?

Depending on the mandate, the process can include: review of the reported problem → evaluation of suitable inspection conditions → visual inspection → thermal survey → identification of anomalies → comparison with building construction → complementary moisture measurements or testing → targeted exploratory investigation where required → diagnosis and reporting. The principle is straightforward: Detect → investigate → confirm → diagnose. Thermography helps identify where to investigate. The complete investigation determines why the anomaly exists.

Why choose Groupe SCP for infrared thermography?

Groupe SCP integrates infrared thermography with building-envelope inspection, water infiltration investigation, roofing expertise, concrete assessment, Building Condition Assessments and rehabilitation planning. This broader building-science approach is important because the greatest value of a thermal image is not simply seeing something that looks different — it is understanding what that difference may reveal about the building and determining the appropriate next step in the investigation.

FAQs Archive - Page 5 of 95

Can two different materials appear as different temperatures even if nothing is wrong?
Does the colour on a thermal image represent a specific building condition?
Can thermography eliminate the need for exploratory openings?
What happens after thermography identifies an anomaly?
Can thermal images be included in a technical report?
Can thermography help with preventive building maintenance?
Can infrared thermography reduce unnecessary destructive investigation?
What are the limitations of infrared thermography?
What is the typical infrared thermography investigation process?
Why choose Groupe SCP for infrared thermography?

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