Step 1: Thermographer Interview Worksheet
Not sure what to ask a thermographer during the selection process? We understand that this service may be new to you, and you may not be familiar with the top questions to ask a prospective service provider. Here are our top questions when selecting a thermographer for any service:
Certification Questions
What level and type of thermographic specific certifications do you hold?
Any level of ASNT (American Society of Non Destructive Testing) certification is preferred; when thermographers receive formal training in accordance with ASNT standards, your chances of getting an effective scan are very good. Types of training can vary; ranging from OTJ (On the Job) with exams, formal classroom instruction, to remote training. They are all acceptable; however a combination of OTJ and formal classroom training is considered best.
What type of Quality Assurance program do you have in place?
Training and certification requires a formal Quality Assurance Program to maintain effectiveness. It is always good to ask what type of continual training the thermographers receives and does it meet ASNT requirements. The thermographers should mention periodic training and qualification processes monitored by a third party or internal QA (Quality Assurance) division. If not, then caution should be used.
Training and Experience Questions
Concerning my infrared service quote request, what type of applicable training and experience do you have?
Certifications are very general. When looking to have a specific service done, training and experience in that type of application can make a big difference in the quality of service you receive. Look for specific service training experience and possible service experience; don’t be afraid to ask for proof of training. Not all applications have formal training courses; newer applications often are applied using experience and basic thermography principals. Don’t be afraid to ask how they plan on using their equipment and processes to analyze your particular equipment or item of interest.
Infrared Equipment Questions
What type of infrared cameras do you use?
Infrared cameras vary greatly in type, cost, and application. When researching your thermographers, the application and type of equipment used is very important. They should be able to tell you why the camera is good for your request, and be able to communicate the age, resolution, and maximum distances required for accurate readings. What you are looking for is actual familiarity with the equipment.
Do you own, lease, or rent your own infrared equipment?
Infrared equipment is very expensive, so a popular trend is to lease the equipment and trade it in every 2-3 years. Some companies purchase their equipment; however that is much more rare. Ideally the company should lease their equipment. This helps ensure the cameras are always maintained and calibrated (part of the leasing contract), and are fairly new and up to industry standards. Owning the equipment is acceptable, however you should ask whether they are periodically maintaining and calibrating their equipment per manufacturer’s recommendations. Renting equipment is not preferred because the condition of the equipment and the familiarity of the thermographers with the camera may become an issue.
When was the infrared camera last calibrated?
This is a very important question because infrared equipment is very sensitive and should be maintained and calibrated yearly to ensure optimum performance. The answer should be within the last year, and by the camera manufacturer or authorized camera technician. If the equipment is not being calibrated, then the scan results may not be accurate. Don’t be afraid to request a copy of the calibration tests and results.
Additional Non Destructive Testing Equipment Questions
Do you use other NDT (Non Destructive Testing) Equipment in addition to your thermography equipment?
This is a tougher question and may catch the thermographers by surprise. While it is by no means required, having alternative NDT tools available can be really helpful in addressing tough issues (depending on the service being used). Most thermographers understand that infrared thermography is only one tool in the tool box (a snapshot in time) and having other tools to help prove or disprove the indications can improve overall results dramatically. Types of alternative NDT tools that thermographers may use include: airborne ultrasound, visual, or amp readings.
Electrical System Inspection Questions
When performing electrical system inspections, do you supply an electrician or do I need to do that?
Electrical systems require periodic scanning to ensure optimum efficiency. They also require an electrician to open the panels for the thermographers to view and capture the image. Many thermographers work with electricians and include them in the quote, however not all of them. Opening live panels for inspection can be tricky (due to safety interlocks) and dangerous (due to arc flash potential), so having a qualified electrician on hand is very important. If the thermographer does not provide one, you will need to do so yourself which will add to the total cost.
Infrared Report Questions
How will the results be given to me? Do you offer electronic versions? Do you have a sample report for review?
You should ask when and how the infrared report will be given to you before hiring thermographers. Hard copies and electronic reports are preferred (especially for trending purposes and follow up inspections). Reviewing a sample report is also very beneficial. You should request a sample report and go through it with the thermographer. While the reports vary greatly from thermographer to thermographer, all infrared inspections should include a report which should contain the following items:
- Color Infrared Picture,
- Color Digital Picture,
- Description of anomaly,
- List of scanned equipment,
- A Summary letter detailing the results of the inspection.
Re-Scan Questions
How much do re-scans cost or are they included in the scan?
Follow-up inspections are critical when trying to determine repairs in equipment and issues found with the various services offered. Infrared inspections should be performed periodically with re-scans that fit into your repair schedule. Knowing the costs of re-scans can help with your budgeting process. Many thermographers deeply discount the re-scans because they only scan the issues noted before.
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