Thermal imaging of building fabric

Contact Thermography

A thermal imaging survey of building fabric identifies where air leaks in or out of buildings and shows thermal insulation defects. The main benefits of a thermographic survey are:

  • quick, non-disruptive inspection
  • results easily shown in pictures
  • show compliance with specification
  • get sustainability assessment credits such as BREEAM
  • resolve arguments with sub-contractors as to where faults are
  • can be used to show the effectiveness of heating and cooling installations

The thermal image, which is effectively a picture of thousands of surface temperature measurements, makes it easy to see where insulation is missing or air is leaking in or out of a building or after fabric failures such as thermal bridges and damp penetration.

Any object that is not generating or absorbing heat will tend towards the surrounding air temperature, so cold air leaking into a building will show as cold patches on the wall, floor or ceiling. Conversely, warm air leaking from a building will cause warm patches on the outside wall or roof. Thermal imaging surveys alone can be used as a quick method of finding air leaks in a building structure, and can be used alongside airtightness testing which will quantify the leaks.

BSRIA thermographic surveys are conducted by engineers qualified in accordance with ISO 18436:7 and surveys in accordance with BS EN 13187 and ISO 6781 as recommended by the UK Thermography Authority (UKTA).

Click here for free BSRIA guides to thermal imaging and airtightness

Click here for information on BSRIA's thermal imaging of mechanical and electrical building services

Thermal imaging cameras

A huge range of cameras available for hire and purchase from BSRIA Instrument Solutions