Points to Consider When Choosing Inspection Company

1. How long has the company been in business? How many infrared inspections have they performed?

Look for companies that are stable and have experience using infrared in a variety of applications. This demonstrates that the technicians can work at an efficient pace and can differentiate between real problems and normal operating conditions.

2. How many certified technicians are on staff? How many cameras does the company own?

Find a business that has the personnel and tools necessary to accommodate your schedule. In the event that there is a camera issue, you don't want your plans to be derailed. When considering weather-related scheduling, a full crew is especially crucial. The ability to "jump" as soon as the appropriate weather situation occurs is something you will want from your infrared inspection firm. Your infrared inspection business should also have a fully staffed office where you may go for timely assistance with scheduling and invoicing inquiries.

3. What cameras are being used to perform the inspection?

Try to find a high resolution. Modern versions include focal plane arrays that measure 640 x 480. Resolution is significant because it guarantees sufficient information to enable identification of the precise position of the hottest component, which typically identifies the source of the issue.

A completely radiometric imager with a temperature measuring accuracy of +/-2% of range, or 2 degrees C, is what you should be looking for. This will guarantee accurate measurement of the temperature. Ensure that the equipment used by your service provider is calibrated periodically and is certified by the manufacturer.

For the infrared photos, look for complete digital storage capabilities. This enables the photos to be preserved in case future temperature readings of an object in the image are required.

Look for your inspectors to utilize small and lightweight systems. The advantage to you is that the technician will be able to move quickly and freely throughout your facility, with no limit to where he can inspect your equipment.

4. What information are you receiving after the inspection is complete?

Find a list of all of your equipment. Instead of only obtaining paperwork on the equipment where faults were discovered, this way you know what equipment was or was not checked during this inspection.

Look for any more information on earlier issues. Have they all been updated and repaired? What is still unfinished? The equipment could have received a repair, but because it wasn't in use when the inspection took place, it couldn't be checked or shut down. Do the reports you get make this information clear?

The history of the equipment should be shown graphically. Does the paper provide any insightful graphics to aid in identifying long-term trends?

Look for beautiful, high-resolution thermograms and photographs in color with associated work order forms that are already printed.

Look for the logical organization of the problems found. Are they listed in such a way that your engineer can make an efficient repair plan?