Case Study

SCOPE OF THERMAL INFRARED SURVEY

A limited scope thermal infrared survey was conducted for the low-slope roof Fischer Honda in Ypsilanti, MI. The low-slope roof is scheduled to be replaced due to problems encountered by the occupants of the building. A limited scope thermal infrared survey was conducted prior to work beginning in order to provide additional insights into the roofing systems.

From observation, the roofing membranes utilized on the roof were presumably comprised of either Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) or Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) membranes adhered to an underlying insulation.

The thermal infrared survey can be considered limited for the following reasons:

The construction of the roofing systems being neither determined nor verified through destructive sampling or otherwise prior to the thermal infrared survey.
Upon completion of the thermal infrared survey, no samples were collected to verify the presence of moisture within suspected areas.

RESULTS OF THERMAL INFRARED SURVEY

As a result of the thermal infrared survey, several thermal anomalies were identified and their areas delineated. Delineated areas were quantified and compared against the total area of a associated roof section. Using these calculations, it was possible to calculate the area of each thermal anomaly as a percentage of the associated roof section.

Due to the limited scope of this survey, moisture verification samples were not collected to verify whether thermal anomalies represented moisture laden insulation. Without verification, actionable results were not fully developed.

Upon verifying the presence of moisture within thermal anomalies, a cost analysis may be developed. A cost analysis will provide a basis from which to determine the cost effectiveness of conducting either a focused repair or full roof replacement.