LOSS PREVENTION

Facility SERVICE L.L.C.

LOSS PREVENTION Analysis

I/R Inspections & Examinations

Who should look at this page?

· Property managers

· Maintenance managers

· Roofing contractors

· Home owners

· Insurance companies

· Stucco contractors

· Third party commissioning contractors

What do you mean “it’s wet”?

Water damage is a leading cause of insurance claims and long term building damage. Water damage can lead to mold, sheeting/flooring deterioration and even structural degradation. The presence of water can be determined as variations of surface temperatures become apparent with the use of an I/R camera. Often the I/R image does not confirm the presence of moisture, but it will show where to probe with a moisture meter for confirmation.

Where do you suppose that leak is?

I/R cameras have been used successfully to find “water patterns” on some types of roofing systems. More often than not, I/R is used to find areas of wet insulation. Finding wet insulation is like finding a forest of trees; Quite often the thermographer is looking directly at it, but may not be able to see it. Finding the source location of a leak is more like finding an elephant at the zoo; If you know where to look and what it looks like, you just may find it. It’s all about the experience, training and background of a thermographer.

We only fix it if it’s leaking—man!

Most roof warranties only cover known leaks in a system. What is a leak? Most building occupants will tell you it is either when a water stain appears on a ceiling tile, or water hits the floor inside. Technically a leak is any time water permeates the surface of the roof system—well before it goes through the deck. I/R cameras have been used to identify system failures in single ply membranes in incipient stages.

What you can’t see can really hurt!

I/R examination has traditionally been used to verify the convection currents in radiant fins of electrical transformers. However, many smaller oil filled pad mount units (generally less than 1,500 KVA) don’t have a working site glass. Over time, the dielectric fluid may leak out, or is diminished from regular oil and DGA sampling. I/R examination is very effective at identifying both the convention currents as well as oil levels, when an image is properly thermally tuned.

How’s your charge?

Batteries “ganged together” for use in electric vehicles (i.e. fork lifts and such) can easily develop hot spots due to several possible reasons. In the end, heat is an indication of an improper circuit. In the least condition this means a systems is not efficient. However it can also eventually lead to a catastrophic failure - such as a fire. Criteria for this type of examination is very specific and is not a random “point and shoot”.

Above - Moisture trapped behind stucco fascia from a source at the soffit line.

Earth fill

Exposed foundation wall

Zone of trapped moisture

Moisture running down wall

Above - Failed seam weld capturing water, pooling under single ply membrane. Insulation is not wet at this point.

Above - Cracks through a single ply membrane. Water in the cracks indicate the surface is no longer impervious and begun failing.

Above - Large electrical power transformer. Cooling fins working properly and oil level is adequate.

Above - Electric vehicle battery group under charging conditions. Note the hot cell in the group.

In case you are wondering…………..

Facility SERVICE L.L.C. offers negotiated rates to particular types of operations to allow a partnership in loss prevention and preventative measures. It’s like having a highly trained temp employee, with the needed I/R equipment - not having to hire and train a person with the investment of additional equipment! How can you go wrong?