FAQs - Thermal Camera Surveys
The use of thermal cameras to survey server room and datacentre systems including those used for critical power and cooling.
Thermal imaging is also known as Thermography and is a technique that uses infrared-sensitive cameras as a general or fault-finding survey or as part of a preventative maintenance visit to identify power and cooling problems within a building. In a server room or datacentre environment, thermal imaging can help to identify hot-spots, poor air flow and overheating electrical components that require further investigation and analysis.
Thermal imaging cameras are not difficult to use but the procedure for the survey and interpretation of the results should ideally be undertaken by an operator working to ISO18436 and certified to at least Level 1 in terms of training. Level 1 shows that the operator or engineer can use the camera and perform basic analysis. A Level 1 thermal camera operator should have received 32 hours of training and have at least 400 hours of documented experience over a 12 month period. They should also be working under the guidance of a certified higher level engineer (Level 2 or 3) and be following procedures prepared by a Level 3 certified thermographer.
Thermal imaging cameras measure radiation energy levels emitted by a building, room or systems within them. The level of radiation detected is captured on images taken with the camera which can then be analysed for reporting. A thermal camera survey is non-intrusive and puts no part of the building or its critical infrastructure at risk.