Update on New Jersey's Use of Infrared Thermographic Building Diagnostics: Fid-Bau Portal

Update on New Jersey's Use of Infrared Thermographic Building Diagnostics

Semanovich, Sharon / Allen, Lee R.

Within the capital city region of New Jersey are a total of five State office buildings which have undergone infrared thermographic building diagnostics. All of the office buildings were newly constructed for the specific use of the State of New Jersey. The thermographic inspections stem from questions involving the thermal integrity of new construction. The buildings are of various construction materials and techniques including curtain wall, brick face and precast concrete panel. All but one are on the city's district heating system, which serves a number of State buildings in downtown Trenton. The State has found infrared thermographic building diagnostics to be very useful in locating thermal anomalies associated with a building's thermal envelope. Other testing methods, such as calorimeter boxes and heat flow meters, are necessary in order to achieve a complete diagnosis of a building's thermal envelope. In-situ R-values are of great concern for energy efficiency and future design. With the information from the original five infrared thermographic building diagnostic reports, plus other reports of before and after tests, the State has collected a variety of report presentations. By comparing the various styles and information presented, the State of New Jersey has determined a need for better specifications in contracting infra-red thermographic services.