Growing up in New England, I always looked forward to Fall. Football games, bonfires, colorful leaves, and crisp air were some of the highlights.
For businesses, Fall signals the end of vacations and plant shutdowns and the start of preparation for the end of year and Winter. Electrical demands may change with the Season, and new or repaired equipment may come on-line. Upcoming seasonal conditions and a shortening repair window may force the leaking roof to become a priority. Soon, dropping temperatures will put demand on the steam system.
Infrared Surveys can help prepare your facility for each of these changes. A follow-up IR Electrical System Survey can verify recent repairs or check equipment previously not under load; Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys can identify the location of moisture in a roof system; and an InfraSonic™ Steam System Survey can yield huge energy savings. Contact us to discuss any challenges or concerns you have for your site. We encourage each of you to take the opportunity to enjoy the changes the Fall brings!
Closed cell foam is a general term that encompasses several insulation materials found in low slope or flat roofs. The most common materials used in our area are urethane foam and isocyanurate foam. Closed cell foam insulations typically offer good R value, are dimensionally stable, and may be used with a wide variety of roofing materials.
Closed cell foam insulations are often considered to be water resistant. However, this only applies to short term exposure to water. When exposed to water for extended periods, the cells tend to break down permitting foam insulation to absorb large quantities of moisture. The resulting thermal patterns can be typical of those associated with other moisture damaged insulations.
Over the years it has been claimed that infrared inspections of closed cell foam roofs are ineffective due to foam’s low absorbency. The thermal image on the left clearly shows the extent of water damage in a roof constructed with foam insulation. Initially, thermal patterns associated with latent moisture in roofs containing foam insulation will exhibit ‘picture frame’ signatures. These thermal patterns are due to water collecting at the perimeter of individual boards. Over a period of time, the foam loses its water resistance, and insulation boards begin to exhibit the same type of thermal patterns found in wet, absorbent insulations.
Jersey Infrared Consultants are on track to inspect approximately 15 million square feet of roof system during 2017. Since many of the roof systems inspected contain closed cell insulations, our thermographers have extensive first-hand experience with this and many other types of challenging roof systems.
There is no “one size fits all” when planning and performing an Infrared Building Envelope Survey. Whether the survey is being conducted to locate moisture, identify air leakage, or provide an overview for energycertification are some of the first factors to be considered when deciding the vantage point for an Infrared Building Survey. Other factors that should be discussed when planning this type of survey include:
environmental and weather conditions
building structure and composition
line-of-sight access to exterior walls
budget and time constraints
most importantly, the goal or purpose of the survey
Contact Jersey Infrared Consultants to discuss information specific to your site and to develop a scope of work that fits your needs.
Closed cell foam 
