Aerial Infrared

Understanding Aerial Infrared Thermography

Infrared imagery is often a grayscale picture whose scales (or shades of gray) represent the differences in temperature and emissivity of objects in the image.  As a general rule, objects in the image that are lighter in color are warmer and darker objects are cooler.  No object in the images is detected via visible light wavelengths (400-700 nanometers) rather, only from infrared wavelengths in the 3000-5000 nanometers or in the 3-5 micrometers range.  Lights and other relatively hot objects are very evident, but as a result of their heat - not light emissions.

When an image is taken with infrared camera, it is often recorded on video tape and later converted to a digital image file with the help of a computer.  The image may be then modified in a number of ways to enhance its value to the end user.  The highest resolution infrared images are usually found on videotape, while the printed thermographs and map data may be used as a convenient reference when accompanying a report.

Aerial infrared imaging provides:

1. High-angle, high-resolution, straightdown infrared images which lessen reflections.
2. High-resolution images that capture large areas at once, making report preparation easier and less expensive to produce.
3. A more cost-effective platform to obtain infrared imagery than rotorwing, while reducing ferry times and vibrations.

Roof Moisture Survey

Intelligent Roof Asset Management. . .

IIT's Infrared Thermographers can fly over your building and in seconds record digital infrared imagery of your roof.  Upon returning to our offices, we will put together an Aerial Infrared Roof Moisture Survey Report and you will start to take charge of your roof.  These high-quality reports are tailored to your specific needs.

AutoCADTM View Aerial Photograph Aerial Thermograph AutoCADsTM can be made using the aerial photographs and thermographs.  This creates a bid document, so that the repairs can be made with surgical precision. Thermograph taken from 2000 ft. A.G.L. (Above Ground Level) showing crystal clear outlines of subsurface moisture. Larger/Detailed View

Here's How it Works

At night, areas of roof moisture are warmer, because the latent heat (from daylight sunshine) in the trapped water mass is warmer than in the dry, functioning insulation or roof substrate.  After sunset, when the roof’s structure cools down, wet areas of roof insulation and other materials continue to radiate heat, allowing our sensitive infrared cameras to detect the sources of heat and record them for later analysis. Aerial Roof Brochure

U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Disturbing Facts

• Ninety-five percent (95%) of roofing materials removed are dry and not in need of replacement.
• Flat roofs are being replaced every 8 - 10 years although their material life under the manufacturer's warranty is 25 - 30 years.

DOE's statistics state within the first few years most roofs begin to deteriorate because moisture infiltrates the roofing system.  Moisture is typically stored in the roofing system long before leaks appear.  Therefore, the downward spiral of destruction begins.

These nationwide statistics exhibit that roofs are being prematurely replaced because of frustration in failing to locate and solve the source of moisture infiltration.  It would be unrealistic to ignore that there are many "roofing professionals" with a vested interest in promoting premature roof replacement instead of repair.

A full size aerial infrared photograph of a building's roofing area with moisture problems is state-of-the-art.  The service originally started with hand-held infrared cameras used to walk over the roof.  It has now evolved into capturing the required information from the air.

Animal Census

Larger View

Environmental Surveys

Landfill Fires Larger View

Rivers/Creeks/Streams

Here’s how it works.....

The flow of liquid typically appears warm as compared to the surface water in a creek, stream, river or lake—particularly during cooler times of the year, due to the relative warmth of the ground a short distance below the surface.

Leaks from nearby lines often come to the surface through lateral transfer to a creek, stream, river or lake bed, or to a slope leading down to the surface of the water.  These leak areas and the warm plume of liquid joining and flowing downstream with the body of water are visible in the thermal infrared spectrum due to the difference in temperatures of the two liquids.  Late fall, winter and early spring are well suited to this type of inspection because of the different water temperatures (ground and surface waters) and because the interference to view by foliage is minimized.  Ground water seeps and outfalls of all types are also easily distinguishable for similar reasons.

Web Site Designed & Maintained by Janice Stewart.

International Imaging Technologies, International Imaging Technology, Infrared, Thermography, Infrared Scan, Infrared Survey, Infrared Camera, Infrared Cameras, High-Resolution Infrared Imagery, Building Quality Assurance Surveys, Predictive Maintenance, Reduce Downtime, Aerial Infrared Thermography, Electrical Infrared Thermography, (904) 342-0160 Mechanical Infrared Thermography, Building Infrared Thermography, Bernie, Douglas Bernreuter, Bernreuter, Chuck Bernreuter, Aerial IR, Electrical IR, Mechanical IR, Building Q/A, Process Control, Thermography, IIT, Mold Detection