With the onset of warm weather, tornado season has arrived. In an average year, tornadoes in the US cause 80 fatalities and 1500 injuries. Knowing what to do before and during a tornado is crucial for survival.
Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Every state is at some risk from this hazard.
Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible. The best defense against tornadoes is to be alert to weather conditions and be ready to seek shelter.
Before a tornado, be alert to changing weather conditions.
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to local newscasts for the latest information
Watch for approaching storms
Know the danger signs: Dark, often greenish sky; Large hail; Large, dark, low-lying or rotating clouds; Loud roar, similar to a freight train
If you see an approaching tornado or are under a tornado WARNING, seek shelter immediately.
If you are in a structure, go to a pre-designated shelter area or the center of an interior room on the lowest building level. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows.
If you are in a vehicle, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.
If you are outside with no shelter, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Beware of flying debris and the potential for flooding.
Course Materials Licensing
Infraspection Institute’s course materials licensing program provides a unique opportunity for experienced thermographers to bring quality training to their clients without having to develop their own training materials. Licensees can elect to teach applications or certification courses. Best of all, our program provides all training materials, course manuals, instructor training, and support.
Benefits of our program:
Expand your services and increase profits
Enhance your credibility
Provide world-class thermography training with minimal investment
Infraspection Institute’s course materials licensing is open to individuals, companies, and educational institutions. It is perfect for those seeking to provide green technology education as well as companies seeking to educate a sizeable thermography team.
Drive belts are an integral component on many types of machines. Despite the critical role they play in machine operation, V type drive belts tend to be out-of-sight and out-of-mind until they fail. In most installations, belt temperature largely influences the life of installed V belts.
As a rule of thumb, properly applied and maintained belts should not exceed 140º F (60º C), assuming an ambient temperature of less than 110º F (43º C). It should be noted that belt life can be greatly reduced by higher operating temperature. In fact, for every 18 F (10 C) increase in belt temperature, belt life is cut in half.
There are many factors that contribute to high belt operating temperature including, but not limited to: ambient air temperature, machine design, installation, alignment, and belt tension. Overheating belts can be readily detected with an infrared imager. Once detected, overheating belts should be investigated for cause and proper corrective measures undertaken as soon as possible. Doing so can help prevent unscheduled downtime and may prolong belt life.
Infraspection Institute is pleased to announce that its annual Advanced Training Conference, Technical Symposium and Technology Expo, IR/INFO 2016, will be held January 17 – 20, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Now in its 27th year, IR/INFO features four days of networking, learning, and fun in a relaxed, yet professional, family atmosphere.
Infraspection Institute is presently seeking papers and presenters for IR/INFO 2016. Invited topics include, but are not limited to: safety, emerging applications, building sciences, related NDT, case histories, as well as tips and tricks. Presentations are typically 25 minutes with 5 minutes for Q & A time with the audience. All papers and presentations will be published in the IR/INFO Proceedings. The deadline for abstract submissions is July 31.
Infraspection Institute’s course materials licensing program provides a unique opportunity for experienced thermographers to bring quality training to their clients without having to develop their own training materials. Licensees can elect to teach applications or certification courses. Best of all, our program provides all training materials, course manuals, instructor training, and support.
Drive belts are an integral component on many types of machines. Despite the critical role they play in machine operation, V type drive belts tend to be out-of-sight and out-of-mind until they fail. In most installations, belt temperature largely influences the life of installed V belts. 
Infraspection Institute is pleased to announce that its annual Advanced Training Conference, Technical Symposium and Technology Expo, IR/INFO 2016, will be held January 17 – 20, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Now in its 27th year, IR/INFO features four days of networking, learning, and fun in a relaxed, yet professional, family atmosphere.
