How to keep your thermal mind fresh
Before you jump into the deep end and start conducting thermal surveys, you need to have an understanding as to what you are doing and what it is you are looking for.
How to keep my Knowledge Up to Date –
The best way to become familiar with thermal imaging is through training.
We offer a variety of training courses across the country with ITC ranging to just a one-day training session to a few days. These courses are great for getting you the qualifications you need and helping you get familiar with your equipment quickly and comfortably.
If you are looking to learn thermography for business use, we would recommend you attending a training course to ensure you are looking for the correct things and using the latest FLIR thermal studio software properly.
However, if you are a homeowner and are just looking to use it occasionally for your property to help identify leaks, insulation defects and other property issues then all you need is a basic understanding of how to work your camera and how to detect and analyse any findings.
ITC Training Courses for thermal imaging
What course is best for me?
If you’re just starting out in thermography, we offer a 1-day course as an introduction to the infrared world. This course helps you get to grips with the basics of thermal imaging and how to use the thermal software at a beginner’s level. This course is perfect if you are simply wanting to become more au fait with your infrared camera and the applications it can be used for.
For those of you who want a more from thermal imaging, we can offer a category 1 course from ITC (Infrared Training Centre) this course offers you 4 days full training, covering all the relevant information needed for you to produce professional reports detailing your findings. Once you have been taught all the information needed on your course you will then have to complete a test to determine if you will receive the Level 1 certification; this part is important as by gaining the qualification you are demonstrating to others that you are competent and qualified to make decisions and detect faults accurately.
Category 2 training is a more in-depth course for those of you who require more advanced knowledge of infrared imaging. In order to attend this course, you must have already completed the level 1 training and have received a valid category 1 thermography certificate. This 5-day course covers a wide range of topics that thermal imaging covers, helping widen your horizons in the world of infrared. By attending the Level 2 course you are able to specialise in different aspect of thermography such as building surveys where a category 2 qualification is required for you to conduct an inspection of a property to BREEAM standards.
Become the best of the best with ITC level 3 thermography training. With the highest accreditation available, you have the chance to receive world-wide recognised certification taught by experienced thermographers teaching you the best practices of the infrared trade helping you to succeed in managing thermography programmes for predictive maintenance.
FLIR Temperature measure equipment
How Do I Keep My Knowledge Fresh?
It is essential that you keep your knowledge of thermal imaging up to date with the latest practices to ensure you are conducting surveys to the correct standard and following the right procedures.
You can do this by attending training courses every 5 years to learn the latest in the industry and just give yourself a refresh. As well as attending the thermography courses, FLIR offers webinars focusing on different aspects of thermal imaging, so if you find you’ve become a little forgetful in one area; there will almost certainly be a webinar available from FLIR.
So, How Do I Keep My Camera Up to Date?
Having up to date equipment is vital for thermal imaging so there are plenty of things to keep an eye on. You should always ensure your software and cameras firmware is current to avoid technical issues with your infrared camera.
One of the biggest things we recommend is annual camera calibration. This is a test we carry out to ensure your camera is reading temperatures accurately and that the camera is performing how it should be. Over time the components can become overworked so the calibration helps to determine how your camera is performing and if the electrical components are working as they should be.
FLIR Thermal Camera Calibration
If you purchase a phone, a few months later you can guarantee there will be another phone released better than yours, the same goes for thermal cameras. So, how do you know when to upgrade?
Thermal cameras are built to last longer than your mobile phone but it’s good to keep an eye on what is being launched or discontinued. If you’ve purchased a camera that is getting or has been discontinued, that might be a good sign to upgrade if you’ve had yours for a few years, that way you are keeping up to date with the latest FLIR has to offer and reducing the amount you may find yourself spending on repairs and calibration like you would for an older infrared camera.
If you follow the steps above, you should find your life as a thermographer smooth sailing, with a better understanding of the industry and the equipment in it.
If you want to find out more about the training courses we can offer or calibrations, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our advisors, today.