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Standards for Infrared Thermography
Tip written by: Infraspection Institute

As thermography has matured, standards have appeared governing the conduct of infrared inspections and the proper use of infrared test equipment. With this Tip, we examine the importance of standards to practicing thermographers.

Anyone who has spent time in the kitchen is familiar with recipes. A typical cake recipe provides quantities of required ingredients, the order and manner in which they should be combined, and specific instructions on how to bake the batter. Following a recipe helps to ensure an acceptable range of results among those who are able to follow the subject recipe.

Both science and industry rely on standards for testing. These documents provide procedures that help to ensure that competent technologists achieve an acceptable range of results. Standards are to a thermographer what a recipe is to a baker.

Presently, several published standards are available for the science of thermography. Following standards reduces liability, increases credibility, and helps to ensure repeatability for future inspections.

Recognizing the need for standardized procedures, Infraspection Institute began publishing guidelines for thermography in 1988. Since their initial publication, Infraspection Institute guidelines have been adopted by hundreds of companies worldwide and incorporated into documents published by recognized standards organizations such as ASTM International (ASTM). Beginning in 2007, Infraspection Institute guidelines were updated and renamed as standards to reflect their industry-wide acceptance and the best practices they embody.

Each Infraspection infrared standard provides simple and straightforward procedures along with the requirements for properly documenting test results. Infraspection application standards provide a blueprint for both specifying and performing infrared inspections. These documents are a ‘must-have’ for anyone who specifies, performs, or oversees infrared inspections.

Eleven comprehensive standards covering infrared equipment operation, temperature measurement, and specific thermographic applications are available from Infraspection Institute. Copies of the latest Infraspection Institute standards are available through the Infraspection Online Store or by calling 609-239-4788.