Abstract:

On January 4, 2014, a new federal law known as “The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act” went into effect. This law drastically decreases the amount of lead allowed in water system components that contact potable water. In order to comply with the new law, NIBCO created a new line of valves and cast fittings using silicon to replace the lead.

To ensure proper installation of these products a new procedure for sweating the fittings was recommended by NIBCO.

Failure to follow the recommended procedure may result in voids in soldered connections, thereby compromising their integrity. In order for sweated connections to be considered reliable, 70% of the space in the connection must be filled with solder.

Currently, there is no cost effective non-destructive method of determining whether this criteria is met although active thermography coupled with radiometric video does offer promise. This paper will discuss the use of radiometric video and active thermographic techniques to diagnose the integrity of copper pipe sweat joints by analyzing the thermodynamics of a 20° change over 60 images captured in 2 seconds.

Abstract:

As potentially devastating diseases hit the headlines, thermal imaging is becoming a frontline tool for the prevention of disease spread.

Thermal imaging systems are now available to screen groups of people and identify those individuals with elevated body temperatures – a potential indication of the fever associated with many diseases in today’s news.

Using a Thermal Imaging Fever Alert System, a properly trained operator can distinguish an individual with a skin temperature higher than a pre-set point.

The system allows the operator to remain at a safe distance while measuring to indicate which individuals require an in-depth medical exam to confirm the presence and potential cause of a fever.

As superbugs become more common, the applications for this technology will become more and more cost effective in a variety of locations.

This paper will discuss the important features of a Fever Alert System and what it can do to safeguard your employees and your business.

Abstract:

This presentation focuses on existing low-slope roofing installations with a single roofing system in place.

With IECC 2012 mandates, infrared roof scans can document dry roofing substrates.

Ethical recover roofing supports infrared roof scans in the roof decision makers and insurer’s best interests.

However, all too often recover roofing systems are installed over trapped moisture because the owner didn’t pay for the cost-effective infrared roofing scan, the membrane manufacturer doesn’t verify their roofing system, or the repair is installed over a documented dry substrate.

Absent a professional infrared roofing scan, the new recover roofing system is susceptible to damage from concealed moisture, the existing roofing system doesn’t meet code and deliver the expected R-value; and if the existing roofing system is an adhered system, the concealed moisture may cause adhesive failure and making wind uplift possible.

The movement to demand integrity to recover roofing substrates has to come from insurer mandates.

It is clear that the other entities involved cannot be expected to demand recover roofing be performed over a documented dry roofing substrate.

Abstract:

Infrared detectors are solid state devices that are the heart of a thermal imager.

It is the detector which converts heat energy into an electric signal which is then converted to images and temperature data.

Recent innovations in infrared detector design have led to reductions in both cost and size.

This has allowed manufacturers to design amazing new thermal imagers.

This article will discuss how we may be in the golden age of thermal imaging and will discuss some of the new innovations and how infrared is slowly becoming our sixth sense.

Abstract:

Airborne and Structure-borne ultrasound have evolved into a technology that many would consider to be the cornerstone of an effective maintenance and reliability program.

From compressed air & gas leak detection, electrical inspection, and various mechanical inspections, ultrasound is truly a versatile tool for anyone’s PdM “toolbox.”

One application in particular utilizes the technology for condition based lubrication and to reduce lubrication related failures in rotating equipment.

The most common causes of bearing failures are related to lubrication. These failures happen because of either a lack of lubrication or too much lubrication.

Ultrasound assisted lubrication helps to take the guesswork out of how much lubricant to apply.

Additionally, typical lubrication programs are based on timed intervals.

With time based lubrication, the tendency is to over lubricate.

Lubricant is applied at timed intervals whether the equipment needs to be greased or not.

Ultrasonic instruments sense high frequency sound waves.

High Frequency sound waves have very little energy, and therefore do not travel very far from the source.

Mechanical problems such as faulty bearings and bearings in need of lubrication are easily detected.

The inspector will be able to hear the high frequency sound as an audible in the headset thanks to the instruments’ ability to translate the high frequency sound into a low frequency audible range.

A visual readout onboard the ultrasonic instrument also indicates the intensity of the sound being detected as a decibel level, and in some cases, onboard spectral analysis.

This presentation will show how using structure-borne ultrasound, one can detect mechanical faults in rotating equipment and prevent failures due to either a lack of lubrication or over lubrication.

The benefits of less rotating equipment failures include less unscheduled downtime, reduced maintenance costs, and reduced motor repair costs.

Information will also be presented on how airborne and structure-borne ultrasound is a perfect complement to other technologies such as vibration analysis and infrared thermography.

Abstract:

Through my years of experience working in the world of infrared, I have discovered that a two legged stool just doesn’t stay upright! In order to be successful using infrared in your plant for good electrical or mechanical PdM, you need three “legs of knowledge”, the proverbial “3 legged stool”.

Leg 1: understanding of the science of infrared; Leg 2: a good working knowledge of your IR camera; and Leg 3: how to start and maintain an infrared program within your facility.

Learning the the science of infrared thermography and imager operation are rather straightforward.

Developing a viable and long-lasting infrared inspection program that meets the needs of your company is a far greater challenge.

In setting up an IR inspection program, it is imperative to understand the needs and expectations of company mangement or maintenance personnel in order to help ensure program longevity.

This short paper will offer some simple and time tested ideas to get your PdM program up and running and make it sustainable.

The value of any “program”, approved by management, will be measured by its effectiveness and return on investment.

Abstract:

Infrared thermography is well suited for the detection of wet surfaces during rain and also residual moisture in porous materials for only about 24 to 48 hours afterward the event, if exposed to air.

This is because of temperature anomalies while drying due to evaporation.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina flood water stayed for weeks in places where water should never be.

Yet, most city inhabitants were able to return in no less than a few weeks after their areas were accessible.

During this wait there was no rain, and everything dried quickly.

So, when I was asked to evaluate structures to help determine the extent of water damage with infrared imaging, I suspected that most materials had long been dried, and the effort would likely yield no thermal anomalies consistant with latent moisture.

In many cases that was true, but to my surprise, in some situations the evidence was still apparent.

I must have made a good choice of equipment. Long after flood/roof leak damage, modern IR imagers are so sensitive that they can show past events, due to some surface material E-factor change from chemical changes, regardless of uniform temperature.

This retains a permanent record, like the “Carfacts” of a vehicle.

This paper will discuss the use of thermography to locate previous water damage to structures and defects within same, as well as the effects of substrate type and deterioration on the infrared measured surface.

Abstract:

Infrared thermography is well suited for the detection of radiant heating elements and other subsurface heated piping.

Defects in embedded conduits that carry heated fluids, gases, or electrical heating lines can be difficult to pinpoint and often require costly and destructive exploratory digging.

This excavation process is often ineffective as there is no guarantee that the digging is occurring in the exact area of the defect.

In retrofit construction, buried heating conduits in the work area must be located and marked prior to cutting or drilling into the substrate.

This paper will discuss the use of thermography to locate radiant heating lines and defects within same, as well as the effects of substrate type and thickness on the infrared process.

Abstract:

In the roofing business, from the manufacturer’s perspective, the warranty is fraught with the perils of the next sale.

When the building owner calls to report a leak on their roof, the salesman can quickly become involved because their livelihood is at stake.

Everyone expects the “large manufacturing company” to shell out cash to make repairs, no matter what the actual issue entails.

It seems everyone expects something for nothing.

So, how can this work to your advantage with a premium service to the building owner?

What services can you provide to the building owner?

If you are willing to spend a little extra time, you can learn several simple aspects of roof systems that will aid you in your ability to properly scan a roof, and help you provide better service to the building owner.

This paper will discuss three basic opportunities that can make you indispensable to the building owner.

First, by understanding their roof system you can give them proper direction in addressing what they are seeing on their roof.

Second, by knowing the roof system that they have on their building, you can properly scan the roof and help the building owner understand what they are seeing in the images.

Finally, by understanding something about their roofing system and their roof warranty, you can help them know what to expect from the roof system manufacturer.

As with anything, you don’t want a plumber fixing your car, a mechanic fixing your computer, or small children playing with your best infrared imager.

You want to provide a service to the building owner that is concise and clear.

Be the last person they seek information from, and their first point of contact.

If you provide the information that they need, they won’t seek it elsewhere.

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