Global Risk Communication:

Inspections Utilizing Infrared

Thermography
Infrared Thermography (IR) requires access to every electrical room and machinery space
for a survey to be completed. As a result Global Risk Consultants (GRC) Thermographers
see practically all areas of a facility.
While there is no set best period for conducting Infrared (IR) inspections, there are
many factors to take into consideration for optimizing the effectiveness of thermographic
inspection work. First, the site must be operating normally. If there is no load, then
effective results are highly unlikely. If there is a trained camera operator on-site with the
correct equipment, full IR inspections can be completed as often as necessary. For a fully
out-sourced program, the most appropriate expenditure may be bi-annually or annually.
Below are guidelines for implementing an IR inspection program. Frequency of inspections
should be adjusted when results indicate the benefits of doing so.
Low Voltage Electrical (Voltages below 1000V):
Minimum annual inspections with follow-up
inspections to ensure corrective actions to faults have
been rectified. Ideally a quarterly program should be in
place and can be extended if fault levels are
consistently low.
High Voltage Electrical (Voltages above 1kV): Annual
inspections are usually considered best practice.
However, if there are significant faults or the installation is situated in a particularly hostile
area (prone to contamination or exposure to corrosive elements), it is worth completing
bi-annually or quarterly, dependent upon the exposure to the overall process.
Mechanical: These inspections should be conducted in such a way to complement other
inspection techniques, such as vibration and lubricating oil analysis, being used on-site. A
quarterly inspection program should offer the most robust results.

Summary Points:

A good IR Survey will

complement Fire and
Machinery Breakdown
inspections.

Periodicity of inspections
should be criticality - and
results-dependent.

Normal operating
conditions are essential
for obtaining the best
results. Inspections
during a shutdown
period are not going to
yield the optimum return
for investment.

While there is no set best

period for conducting
Infrared (IR) inspections,
there are many factors to
take into consideration for
optimizing the effectiveness
of thermographic inspection
work.
Global Risk Consultants
100 Walnut Avenue

Process Equipment: Inspections should be done alongside mechanical inspection work as

it is usually synonymous with mechanical supplies. Steam pipework should be given a
cursory inspection to identify any breakdowns in difficult to reach areas of the site.

Suite 501

Follow-up inspections: It is recommended that follow-up inspections be done within a

fortnight of corrective actions being executed on a fault. This ensures the fault is fixed and
acts as quality assurance for the rectification process.

Tel: 732-827-4400

Clark, New Jersey

07066-1247

Fax: 732-827-4490
E-mail:
contact@globalriskconsultants.com

GRC Thermographers have a comprehensive understanding of the science of

thermography, are equipped with state of the art thermal imaging equipment, and are ITC
qualified. This combination of skills and equipment allows them to accurately inspect your
facilities and provide early identification of faults and reduce unplanned downtime.