Thermal Imaging Camera Hire for hot water pipe leaks

Application purpose:
Locating water leaks from sub-surface HOT water pipework under the surface of the floors, walls and ceilings

Using the table below, select the most appropriate camera model based on the following application level descriptions. Please also consider any limiting factors that may apply.

• Basic Applications include: Leak detection where the leak is quite significant and the pipework is at low depths (50mm) and where the there is a thin/low insulating floor covering. Not recommended for locating leaks on underfloor heating systems where the spacings are below 300mm centres.
• Intermediate Applications include: Leak detection on smaller leaks and where the pipework is suspected to be at depths greater than 50mm and/or where there maybe thick carpets/floor coverings. Could also be used for leak detection on underfloor heating systems.
• Advanced Applications include: Basic and Intermediate applications requiring high quality radiometric images for the purposes of analysing and presenting within a report.

Model	Basic	Intermediate	Advanced
FLIR E4	Not Recommended	Not Recommended	Not Recommended
FLIR E5
FLIR E6
FLIR E8
FLIR E53
FLIR E54
FLIR E60
FLIR E75
FLIR T540
FLIR T640
FLIR T660
FLIR T865
FLIR T1020
FLIR T1030sc

Preparation/Environmental Conditions

Following a suitable amount of time with the heating/hot water off and the floor/walls cold, the suspected areas should be scanned with the thermal imaging camera to locate thermal anomalies (areas of abnormal or unexpected hot or cold spots). Repeat the process with the hot water/heating turned on noting the locations of anomalies that may appear.

Limiting Factors to be considered

Depth of pipes below floor, thick carpets/floor coverings will reduce heat transfer. In such circumstances, consideration should be given to selecting an increased specification camera which will have a greater chance of success.
Note: The effectiveness of the survey will be significantly limited where the pipework is below suspended floors or within walls where there is an air void around the pipework. In such circumstances thermal imaging could be used to assist leak detection, however further consideration will need to be given to the most effective approach and most suitable camera.

Please note that the thermal imaging camera selection guidance above is intended as a guide only, Red Current Ltd will not be held accountable where the desired results do not meet preconceived expectations.