Abstract:

More often than not, boats constructed with fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) and composite materials are damaged by lightning strikes, collision, and allision (moving boat striking a stationary object). In the insurance world of indemnifying the insured of a recreational yacht and/or small craft against loss, the extent of damage is often key in determining whether the boat can be economically repaired to pre-loss condition within the confines of policy coverage.

Defendable opinions of the cause, nature, and extent of damage are key items that an insurance claims adjuster needs to make decisions. More often than not a qualified Marine Surveyor can use non-destructive testing (NDT) as a means to provide those opinions to the insurance claims adjuster.

This presentation will provide pictorial examples of the types and extents of damages found by following the 2011 edition of the Infraspection Institute “Standard for Infrared Inspection of Recreational Yachts & Small Craft Constructed of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic and Composite Materials”.

Abstract:

The best laid plans … is an idiom that should not come to mind if you’re describing your electric motor reliability program; however, many have seen a great plan, or at least what was thought to be a great plan, fail to meet expectations.

This paper will discuss the common gaps in the implementation and operation of an electric motor reliability program including mistakes in quality control, trending, and troubleshooting of electric motors.

Also included will be how to apply electrical fault zone analysis principles toward identifying root cause failure analysis, review detailed analysis techniques in quality control to extend motor life expectancy, learn proper application of root cause failure analysis when troubleshooting electric motors, and how to identify and overcome the data analysis versus data collection imbalance.

Abstract:

This paper will discuss inside information regarding why certified termite thermography is an emerging market and a sure winner for Pest Thermographers.

The key to a successful subterranean termite treatment is finding live infestations.

For decades, termite management professionals have relied upon limited visual and often destructive inspections to locate infestations, and they still do.

Building materials, methods, and architectural trends are always changing, thus making subterranean termites increasingly difficult to find.

Generally termite companies do not use infrared, but why?

This paper will expose shocking undisputable facts that the National Termite Industry does not want you to know.

Abstract:

When properly implemented, thermography is the most efficient non-contact, cost effective and reasonably accurate solution for mass screening of individuals for elevated body temperature (EBT).

It was first introduced in 2002 with the highly infectious disease called SARS (Severe, Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic, which originated in the Guangdong Province of China and eventually spread to 29 countries.

Screening to detect a potentially infected person played an important role in preventing the spread of SARS.

A great deal has been learned since the initial experience of 2002 when there were no guidelines for effective screening.

Even today we see videos of live screening activities with inappropriate equipment and little or no human or environmental protocols, sometimes resulting in ineffective and disappointing outcomes.

Thermography has great potential, but unless it is used properly it will become a prop for perceived action in a panic situation.

This paper will discuss the benefits and limitations of infrared thermography when used to remotely screen for elevated body temperature, appropriate target areas of the body for screening, and the placement of thermal imagers for optimal data collection.

Abstract:

With the introduction of the ISO 55000 Asset Management standards focusing on life-cycle cost and risk-based performance, what impact does an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) have on the ultimate design, reliability, and success of a project? How can engaging the OEM as a partner and stakeholder impact the following statistics?

1. As much as 60% of failures & safety issues can be prevented by making changes in design

2. 80% or more of a facility’s life cycle cost is fixed during the plan, design, and build phases

3. 30-40% of equipment breakdowns are related to poor equipment design or condition

With these odds, how can a firm ensure they come out on the right side of their asset investment decisions? Part of the answer can be found in the very beginning of the project. This presentation introduces processes to apply during the conceptual and preliminary design phases of capital projects to identify the best OEM partners and how to hold them to a higher standard for optimizing the design, maintainability, reliability, and performance of the assets they build. The following key items are discussed:

1. Request for Information (RFI): Identify the best-positioned OEMs to leverage reliability and automation as a partner and stakeholder

2. Request for Proposal (RFP), User Requirement Specifications (URS), Engineering Specifications: Integrate detailed maintenance & reliability standards and specifications into the design from the beginning

3. Design for Reliability (DfR): Identify and design out repeat failures on similar equipment, Design for maintainability, operability, reliability, accessibility, clean-ability, & rig-ability etc.

4. Process Analytical Technology (PAT): Leverage automation by identifying and trending pending quality and reliability failures with instrumentation triggers

5. OEM Performance Criteria: Establish detailed performance criteria

6. Documentation Requirements: Specify required documentation, training, and development of optimized maintenance and spare parts strategies

Abstract:

This presentation will focus on the larger picture of Thermal Imaging, how companies select their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and how Thermal Imaging can support the overall organizational objectives in a impactful way.

Bjarni is a Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional and Certified Reliability Leader with over 25 years of experience in Asset Management, Maintenance and Reliability, Condition Monitoring, Operations, and Project Management in various industry roles and consulting.

Well versed in various maintenance methodologies including TPM, RCM, BCM, VDM as well as LEAN principles, Bjarni participated in the Standards Council of Canada Mirror Committee, TC 251 Asset Management, and in the development of ISO 5500x Asset Management series of standards.

A founding partner of the Icelandic Maintenance Association, Bjarni currently sits on the board of Directors for Plant Engineering & Maintenance Association of Canada (PEMAC) and participates in the Global Forum on Maintenance & Asset Management (GFMAM) and the World Partners in Asset Management (WPiAM) on a variety of topics related to Asset Management.

A seasoned lecturer on matters related to Asset Management Strategy, Maintenance Management, Condition Based Maintenance, and Reliability Engineering, Bjarni has spoken at several conferences worldwide, such as the IMC Conference and Euromaintenance.

Abstract:

Spray applied foam is accepted in the construction community as having superior thermal insulation properties, air barrier qualities, and vapor diffusion control (depending on the type).

The product is often specified to serve overlapping duties as a thermal insulator to resist conductive heat flow, as part of the air barrier system to control convective heat transfer, and as a vapor retarder.

These characteristics make it a desirable product for use in ‘high performance’ buildings, in retrofit applications where the original materials have failed, and in tight applications where achieving good thermal and air/vapor control using ‘traditional’ methods is difficult.

The perceived monolithic nature of spray foam reinforces its reputation as having infallible air control; however, this is not necessarily the case.

Errors in its application and movement of the substrate against which it is applied can compromise its performance.

Flaws within the assembly that allow (warm) moist air to meet dew point cause condensation which can lead to deterioration and biological growth.

Pinpointing gaps in application can be accomplished using the effective combination of a blower door to induce air flow and an infrared camera to capture the resultant thermal patterns due to air movement. Isolating the air leakage and presenting visible proof can really emphasize to clients and foam applicators alike the need for quality application.

This presentation will show infrared images and photos of flaws in spray applied foam that caused problems or could have caused problems had they not been preemptively addressed.

Abstract:

When it comes to establishing an electrical maintenance program for your facility, there are many resources at your disposal to which you may refer. As for the tools that can be used to inspect energized electrical equipment, an infrared camera is probably the first tool that comes to mind. Perhaps you thought of an airborne ultrasound instrument.

If you thought ultrasound, you are among a growing number of maintenance and reliability professionals who have come to realize that airborne ultrasound is a viable tool that can be effectively used to inspect and diagnose conditions such as corona, tracking, arcing, and partial discharge in energized electrical equipment.

The standards that have been written to assist in implementing or improving an electrical maintenance program are the United States’ National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 70B, and the Canadian equivalent, Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z463.

This paper and presentation will discuss the differences between the two standards when it comes to the utilization of ultrasound as an inspection tool for electrical maintenance. Information will also be presented on how to use ultrasound for electrical inspection of energized electrical assets, and how to improve safety practices associated with electrical assets by reducing the risk of an arc flash incident, because an ultrasound inspection can be done without the opening of the energized electrical asset.

Sound file examples of corona, tracking, and arcing will be presented to give the attendees an example of what would be heard via a headset while performing an ultrasonic inspection of electrical equipment.

Abstract:

Vibration analysis in power transformers can provide important and useful information in the evaluation of the mechanical integrity of these assets, without the need to remove the transformer from service to perform the inspection.

However, unlike in rotating machinery, analysis of vibration profiles can be a difficult task, since there are no specific test procedures, diagnostic models, or standards that help evaluate the mechanical condition of the transformer based on the vibration profiles.

In addition, vibration in power transformers is produced by a complex combination of different physical and operating variables, such as transformer design and manufacturing process, voltage, load current, and temperature levels of the transformer, etc.

In recent years, several projects have been performed in order to develop diagnostic models and techniques that can be used as an alternative for online monitoring of power transformers.

One basic test procedure is to perform a vibration screening, taking measurements in different areas of the transformer, in order to identify areas with higher vibration levels.

A periodic screening program can be used to determine any deviations in the vibration levels, which can be an indication of an ongoing mechanical defect.

The disadvantage of this technique is that the operating conditions of the transformers should be considered when comparing new measurements with previous results, in order to avoid misinterpretations.

Another option is to implement an on-line monitoring system capable of continuously measuring the vibration levels, as well as the operational parameters (e.g. load current, voltage, oil temperature, etc.).

This method provides an easier way to understand the behavior of the vibration based on the operating conditions of the transformers.

Also, with continuous monitoring it is possible to detect, in early stages, variations in the vibration profile that can indicate the development of a mechanical problem, like winding/core looseness or deformation.

The monitoring of vibration in transformers, along with other techniques (e.g. DGA, AR, IR, etc.), provides useful information that can be used to detect the development of faults in their early stages.

This allows the user to schedule the necessary tasks and/or inspections to confirm the fault, and repair or replace the unit.

This paper presents several case studies where vibration allowed the early detection of incipient faults in power transformers.

Abstract:

Infrared (IR) windows (and other “closed-panel” inspection windows and ports) are quickly becoming an industry-standard method for performing diagnostics on energized electrical equipment.

This presentation will introduce attendees to variables to consider when selecting, installing, and using IR windows:

• Field of View: Size and placement of IR windows relative to targets and obstructions
• Hidden Targets: Considerations for compartmentalized components or components that are located behind IR-opaque touch guards
• IR Window Transmission Rates: When will it matter and how can we compensate for it?
• Alphabet Soup: Making sense of the standards, tests, and claims – insights from someone who actually sits on many of the standards committees
• Why & Where: What factors make use of IR windows advantageous or necessary

This presentation is for anyone involved with electrical preventive maintenance or electrical condition monitoring programs, and those who are involved with electrical safety programs.

Abstract:

You wanted to start an infrared business, received your infrared certification training, purchased the latest and imager and built a great website. So why aren’t prospects calling you?

Individuals with a skill set they desire to monetize often start businesses. When a person with a marketable skill set or product starts a business, it doesn’t imply they also have the talent set to manage that business. Failures in small businesses are ultimately due to lack of sales of the product or service, often by way of the owner’s difficulty in managing the many processes required to make sales.

Sales are the “lifeblood” of a company. Running a business as the “Sole Proprietor” means managing office and procedural requirements such as accounting, responding to contracts, RFP’s, insurance, banking and selling the service. All these mandatory duties must be performed to keep the business running; however, the small business owner is often the only person in the “company” who can generate revenue by producing the product or conducting the salable service.

Often, small business owners find it “hard to see the forest through the trees” while keeping so many balls in the air. The problem is that many small business owners do not have a sales plan.

This paper will discuss the sales plan, and why it must be the number one priority of any business large or small.