Facility managers are always looking for tools that provide better visibility into the performance and condition of their buildings — and thermal imaging may be one of the most helpful, yet underutilized, solutions available. In this video from NFMT Baltimore, Peter Hopkins explains how infrared technology is reshaping preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and energy management.

Thermal imaging, or infrared (IR) technology, allows users to detect heat signatures that are invisible to the naked eye. It can detect hidden issues behind building materials by measuring temperature differences. Understanding the physics of heat — how it radiates, conducts, and convects — is the key to using this tool effectively.

The session highlights four major application areas: electrical systems, roofing, HVAC performance, and moisture detection. These categories not only represent the most common use cases but also the greatest opportunities for cost savings and risk reduction.

Thermal cameras can also be used to support decision-making. When deciding whether to repair or replace a roof, respond to tenant comfort complaints, or justify budget allocations to the C-suite, infrared imagery delivers visual proof that’s hard to ignore. In addition, new building codes and insurance requirements are starting to mandate IR surveys — meaning that thermal imaging is no longer just a nice-to-have.

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