Newsletter Archive – November 2015


Volume 4 Issue 11 November 2015

Director’s Message

During the month of November, Americans celebrate two national holidays – Thanksgiving Day and Veterans Day. While Thanksgiving is traditionally thought of as an opportunity to reflect upon the bounty that we enjoy, Veterans Day is also a day for giving thanks and recognition to those who have served our nation.

The Christopher Seffrin Memorial Scholarship for Veterans was established in memory of Infraspection Institute’s Co-Director and as a means of showing our appreciation for US veterans.

This scholarship is open to all US veterans who have served a minimum of four years in the US Armed Forces and have been honorably discharged. Scholarships are funded by Infraspection Institute and may only be applied to courses purchased through the infraspection.com website.
This scholarship is open to all US veterans who have served a minimum of four years in the US Armed Forces and have been honorably discharged. Scholarships are funded by Infraspection Institute and may only be applied to courses purchased through the infraspection.com website.

To all of our veterans, thank you for your service and the sacrifices you have made. For those still serving our nation, thank you for your continuing service. May God bless all of you and keep you safe wherever your duties take you.

To all of our readers, we wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

ASNT Compliant Written Practice

As thermography grows in popularity, many thermographers and their employers are seeking ways to enhance their credibility. One option is to establish a written practice that complies with the American Society for Nondestructive Testing document, SNT-TC-1A. According to SNT-TC-1A, employers must establish a written practice for the control and administration of training, examination, and certification. While it is possible to outsource this task, this option can prove costly. For those with little or no experience, establishing a written practice can be a time-consuming and confusing task.

In order to simplify the process of developing a written practice, Infraspection Institute has developed a document titled, Written Practice for Qualification & Certification of Personnel in Thermal/Infrared Testing Method. This document provides suggested wording and format for preparing a comprehensive written practice for the training, examination, and certification of infrared thermographers.
Co-authored by an ASNT Level III, this 27 page document outlines the requirements, practices, and policies for qualifying and certifying infrared thermographers. It is fully compliant with requirements set forth in the latest version of SNT-TC-1A. Document is provided as a template in a Microsoft Word file and can be quickly and easily modified to suit the user’s needs. Template may be used as the core language for an employer’s written practice as required by Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A, 2011 Edition.

Purchase price include license for unlimited use of template by the original purchaser.

Preparing Roofs for Winter

With parts of the US experiencing mild weather, it is hard to think about winter. For many, autumn provides a perfect opportunity to conduct infrared inspections of flat roofs to help ensure that they are ready for the upcoming colder months.

Summer can be especially tough on roofing systems. High temperatures, building movement, and UV radiation often cause cracks and splits in the waterproofing system. Left undetected, these cracks and splits can lead to roof leaks and premature roof failure. Performing an infrared roof inspection prior to the onset of colder weather can detect evidence of problems and help to direct repair efforts.
Performed under the proper conditions with the right equipment, an infrared inspection can detect evidence of latent moisture within the roofing system often before leaks become evident in the building. For many locations, autumn provides perfect conditions for conducting an infrared inspection and performing any necessary roof repairs.

The best candidates for infrared inspection are flat or low slope roofs where the insulation is located between the roof deck and the membrane and is in direct contact with the underside of the membrane. Applicable constructions are roofs with either smooth or gravel-surfaced, built-up or single-ply membranes. If gravel is present, it should be less than ½” in diameter and less than 1″ thick.

For smooth-surfaced roofs, a short wave (2-5.6 µ) imager will provide more accurate results especially if the roof is painted with a reflective coating. All infrared data should be verified by a qualified roofing professional via core sampling or invasive moisture meter readings.

Attend IR/INFO and Get FREE Training

In celebration of IR/INFO’s 27th anniversary, Infraspection Institute is pleased to announce a special offer combining the world’s most respected infrared training and certification program with the industry’s original technical conference.

Attend IR/INFO and receive a tuition voucher for up to 100% discount on a 2016 Infraspection Institute Certified Infrared Thermographer® training course.
Special offers may not be combined with any other discount. Training course vouchers must be used by 12/31/16. Tuition vouchers are transferable to a third party for a $500 administrative fee.