Retrotec USACE - Manual (Page 335)

Appendix G G5
that if results are interpreted reliably by a trained building science thermog-
rapher, thermography with supporting methods can provide a great amount of
useful information. Typically, while conducting IR thermography, the decision-
making is performed not by thermography experts only, but by personnel who
are trained in building science, building materials, and testing procedures.
G.2 Infrared Thermography Training
As mentioned above, the importance of training must not be undermined. IR
thermographers are typically certifi ed at three levels: Level I, Level II, and
Level III. In the United States, most thermographers are certifi ed in accor-
dance with the ASNT SNT-TC-1, a set of recommended practice guidelines set
by their employers’ written practices. These written practices are commonly
used for the application of condition monitoring, but only rarely for building
energy assessments. Because of the historic importance of using IR thermog-
raphy (with its temperature measurement emphasis) for condition monitoring,
most thermographers are trained in the theory of thermography, and not usu-
ally in specifi c applications such as building science thermography. Building
science thermography or the application of thermography for building energy
assessment are usually beyond the expertise of these highly trained IR ther-
mographers. It has become clear that building science thermography requires
much more training than is currently being provided for the standard Level
I–III certifi cations. To correct the defi ciencies within the traditional Level I–III
courses, some of the thermography training organizations in the United States
have recognized the importance of application-specifi c training, such as build-
ing science thermography, roof inspections, and weatherization applications.
Another approach to IR thermography certifi cations is the British Institute
of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) program, which is similar to the ASNT
levels but which also includes application-specifi c training at the Level II cer-
tifi cation. In the BINDT Level II certifi cation, the groups provide specializa-
tion in three industry sectors: mechanical, electrical, and civil. It is the civil
specialization that provides IR thermography training that includes its use in a
building energy assessment.
Even with the specializations that BINDT provides, or the application spe-
cifi c training provided by some U.S.-based training organizations, knowledge
of building science, building materials, and testing procedures are also impor-
tant requirements to properly interpret the IR thermography and to derive
results and solutions from the data.
G.2 The Infrared Camera
Every surface or object emits radiation, the intensity of which is determined by
the temperature of the object and its ability to emit and absorb radiation.