FLIR Systems ThermaCAM P640 infrared camera boosts Dutch building advisor company service offerings

Infrared cameras expand the range of services offered by building sector specialists and allow them to better serve their customer groups. Using an infrared camera, suitable for building applications, before and/or after every building valuation, transaction or major HVAC repair maximises value and minimises costs.

Samenwerkende Adviseurs Nederland (Dutch for Cooperating Advisors Netherlands) (SAN) is a building consulting bureau which consists of building business experts in all fields.

SAN’s experts advise architects, owners, project developers, local authorities, construction companies on HVAC issues, electrical installations and energy issues in line with the building physics.

Most public buildings need specific rules with regard to safety, security, heating, ventilation and electrical facilities. SAN takes care of the growing judicial, technical prescriptions that rule utility buildings - from an indoor shooting range to a hospital.

SAN also calculates energy performance of new and existing buildings, following European Union directives that are being implemented. But this isn’t the only reason SAN invested in a top-of-the-range ThermaCAM P640 infrared camera.

SAN offers detailed planning, supervision and after-care service using infrared technology in the building sector: from preliminary inspection to monitoring and maintenance of facilities and installations. The company’s intention is to strengthen its maintenance segment and take it to the best possible level.

“That’s where thermography makes a difference,” says W van der Kamp, general manager of SAN. “Of course, we provide inspection of electrical installations as ruled by the Dutch NEN 3140 standard, but SAN wants to cover all the other applications of infrared thermography in the building sector with regard to the building’s physics as well as its installations.

“We believe in the growing importance of infrared thermography. That’s why we intend to build up thermography as an independent profit centre and a cash flow generator that, similar to licences in the IT business, keeps a certain amount of revenue constant.”

Van der Kamp, along with in-house thermographer and electrician Willy Beumer took the five-day Level I course provided by the Infrared Training Centre and found that it provided a valuable platform of knowledge to build on and that the certification would ensure their clients a professional approach.

They mention the existence of black sheep on the market, offering a ‘thermographic image’ or ‘inspection’ of an object for either ridiculous or exuberant prices.

SAN has invested in the claimed world’s first handheld thermal camera with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels.

“We wanted to have the best handheld infrared camera for industrial use available on the market to build up the thermography product segment,” says Beumer. “Image resolution and sensitivity matters for building application. And the image quality is sharp. Personally, I mostly work with the screen and hardly make use of the Viewfinder. And I like the manual focus for an optimum adjustment.”

SAN has quickly understood the added value of the ThermaCAM Reporter 8 reporting software, a suite for analysis, fine-tuning of the measurements and presentation.

“The report is also an image tool and a communication channel to the customer. It’s the only platform to show our expertise in thermography,” says van der Kamp. “With regard to content, the report is the result of our work and the cornerstone for important decision-making on the customer’s side: for example, before the sale or acquisition of a particular building.”

Van der Kamp and Beumer emphasise the importance of the interpretation of the imagery made with a thermal camera: the expert has to judge, not the thermographer. SAN’s infrared surveys are carefully reviewed and commented by its in-house electricity, building physics, HVAC experts.

“Master the camera, but be an expert in your field of application is our credo,” adds van der Kamp. “Our company philosophy is to keep balance between calculation and experience: the ThermaCAM P640 will definitely add to keep this while we increase our consulting power and range of services.”

Infrared thermography is the most economical way to discover construction failures and to communicate them. Infrared cameras contribute to checking repair quality, detecting long-time construction damages, detecting and preventing mould and decay, preventing formation of condensation, preventing humidity intrusion in building, reducing heating costs, preserving the building substance, and supporting contractors in warranty claims.