The leader in on-demand infrared training
PROFESSIONAL INFRARED TRAINING INSTITUTE
Thermography Certification and Training Online

Compare | Tour | FAQs | Account605-427-2908 Enroll Now

Infrared Training Course Objectives

Level 1 Thermographer Course Objectives

Lesson 1: Physics Basics
Understand the fundamentals of matter and energy
List examples of kinetic and potential energy
Identify common forms of energy
Define the three laws of thermodynamics
Understand how electromagnetic waves are formed
Identify the parts of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Explain how color is perceived by the human eye
Define frequency and how it applies to light waves
How infrared differs from other wavelengths
Understand how objects radiate infrared energy

Lesson 2: Heat Transfer
Understand the relevance of heat flow diagnostics
Define the methods and units of measure for heat
Differentiate between conduction, convection, and radiation
Understand Fourier's law of heat conduction
Describe practical examples of Newton's law of cooling
Understand the convective heat transfer coefficient
Explain the difference between natural and forced convection
Describe the process where an object comes to equilibrium
How the Stefan-Boltzmann equation describes heat transfer
Compare steady-state heat flow to transient heat flow
Describe applications that rely on transient heat flow

Lesson 3: Radiosity Concepts
Understand the concept of black body radiation
Learn how different materials absorb and emit energy
Learn how different materials reflect and transmit energy
Understand how emissivity affects infrared radiation
Differentiate between a black body and a thermal mirror
Applying Planck's Blackbody Distribution Law
How Wien's Displacement Law applies to surface temperature calculation
Identify and compare the emissivity of common materials
Calculate the temperature of a material based on emissivity
Identify an unknown material based on temperature and emissivity of a nearby known material
The potential pitfalls when evaluating low emissivity objects
Differentiate between reflectivity, transmissivity, and absorptivity
Why Kirchoff's law defines good emitters as bad reflectors, and vice versa

Lesson 4: Infrared Devices
Learn the history of infrared cameras
Understand why thermal imaging is a useful tool
Identify three ways infrared cameras have changed
Differentiate between infrared fact and fiction
Understand what an infrared camera sees
Describe the purpose of germanium in infrared cameras
Understand the concept of a passive device
Compare and contrast thermal imaging devices
List three basic types of infrared measurement devices
Identify factors that affect infrared camera cost
Understand the function of a thermographic camera
List uses for thermal imaging in building construction
Learn additional uses for infrared cameras

Lesson 5: IR Camera Operation
Define palette, range, and span for infrared cameras
Setting the temperature scale and contrast adjustment
Evaluate how pixel size affects infrared resolution
Differentiate between background noise and input noise
Describe the pixel array needed to measure a target
Understand the maximum allowable distance from target
How to adjust emissivity and reflectivity settings
List environmental data that should be collected
What information is overlaid on infrared images
Understand infrared camera image storage methods
Identify the properties of fused and stitched images
List advantages and disadvantages of infrared video
Understand the purpose of visual light comparison images
How to ensure dynamic range and image clarity
Recognizing and dealing with reflections
Recognizing and dealing with spurious convection

Lesson 6: Infrared Applications
Identify common thermal imaging applications
Describe methods for predictive maintenance
Understand direct versus indirect analysis
Describe how mechanical systems are inspected
Identify methods to detect thermal anomalies
How to detect thermal resistance anomalies
How to detect thermal capacitance anomalies
How to detect anomalies from physical state change
How to detect anomalies from fluid flow
How to detect anomalies resulting from friction
Explain endothermic vs. exothermic heat exchange
Understand heat transfer under non-homogeneous conditions
Understand field quantification of point temperature
Describe simple emissivity identification techniques
Evaluate how ambient temperature reflects effect emissivity
Quantify the emissivity of low emissivity materials

Lesson 7: Standards and Ethics
Identify three purposes for an infrared building survey
Describe the scope of an infrared building envelope survey
List building materials that limit detection of anomalies
Identify conditions excluded from an infrared survey scope
Explain why an infrared survey is not a warranty or guarantee
Recognize the characteristics of a qualified thermographer
List client responsibilities for infrared building surveys
How the survey goal determines the survey method
Describe the thermal appearance of latent moisture, structural details, and energy loss during an interior survey
Distinguish between thermal conductivity & thermal capacitance
Describe the required conditions for an interior survey
List the procedures for an interior infrared survey
Explain the limitations of an interior infrared survey
Describe the appearance of latent moisture, structural details, and energy loss during an exterior survey
Describe the required conditions for an exterior survey
List the procedures for an exterior infrared survey
The requirements for thermal capacitance moisture surveys
Describe the minimum infrared survey report documentation
Additional documentation needed for quantitative surveys
Understand professional conduct for infrared thermographers
Describe ethical methods for performing infrared surveys
Understand what constitutes a conflict of interest
How to provide additional services when a potential conflict of interest exists

Top of Page

Level 1 Building Surveyor Course Objectives

Lesson 1: Physics Basics
Understand the fundamentals of matter and energy
List examples of kinetic and potential energy
Identify common forms of energy
Define the three laws of thermodynamics
Understand how electromagnetic waves are formed
Identify the parts of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Explain how color is perceived by the human eye
Define frequency and how it applies to light waves
How infrared differs from other wavelengths
Understand how objects radiate infrared energy

Lesson 2: Heat Transfer
Understand the relevance of heat flow diagnostics
Define the methods and units of measure for heat
Differentiate between conduction, convection, and radiation
Understand Fourier's law of heat conduction
Describe practical examples of Newton's law of cooling
Understand the convective heat transfer coefficient
Explain the difference between natural and forced convection
Describe the process where an object comes to equilibrium
How the Stefan-Boltzmann equation describes heat transfer
Compare steady-state heat flow to transient heat flow
Describe applications that rely on transient heat flow

Lesson 3: Radiosity Concepts
Understand the concept of black body radiation
Learn how different materials absorb and emit energy
Learn how different materials reflect and transmit energy
Understand how emissivity affects infrared radiation
Differentiate between a black body and a thermal mirror
Applying Planck's Blackbody Distribution Law
How Wien's Displacement Law applies to surface temperature calculation
Identify and compare the emissivity of common materials
Calculate the temperature of a material based on emissivity
Identify an unknown material based on temperature and emissivity of a nearby known material
The potential pitfalls when evaluating low emissivity objects
Differentiate between reflectivity, transmissivity, and absorptivity
Why Kirchoff's law defines good emitters as bad reflectors, and vice versa

Lesson 4: Infrared Devices
Learn the history of infrared cameras
Understand why thermal imaging is a useful tool
Identify three ways infrared cameras have changed
Differentiate between infrared fact and fiction
Understand what an infrared camera sees
Describe the purpose of germanium in infrared cameras
Understand the concept of a passive device
Compare and contrast thermal imaging devices
List three basic types of infrared measurement devices
Identify factors that affect infrared camera cost
Understand the function of a thermographic camera
List uses for thermal imaging in building construction
Learn additional uses for infrared cameras

Lesson 5: IR Camera Operation
Define palette, range, and span for infrared cameras
Setting the temperature scale and contrast adjustment
Evaluate how pixel size affects infrared resolution
Differentiate between background noise and input noise
Describe the pixel array needed to measure a target
Understand the maximum allowable distance from target
How to adjust emissivity and reflectivity settings
List environmental data that should be collected
What information is overlaid on infrared images
Understand infrared camera image storage methods
Identify the properties of fused and stitched images
List advantages and disadvantages of infrared video
Understand the purpose of visual light comparison images
How to ensure dynamic range and image clarity
Recognizing and dealing with reflections
Recognizing and dealing with spurious convection

Lesson 6: Infrared Applications
Identify common thermal imaging applications
Describe methods for predictive maintenance
Understand direct versus indirect analysis
Describe how mechanical systems are inspected
Identify methods to detect thermal anomalies
How to detect thermal resistance anomalies
How to detect thermal capacitance anomalies
How to detect anomalies from physical state change
How to detect anomalies from fluid flow
How to detect anomalies resulting from friction
Explain endothermic vs. exothermic heat exchange
Understand heat transfer under non-homogeneous conditions
Understand field quantification of point temperature
Describe simple emissivity identification techniques
Evaluate how ambient temperature reflects effect emissivity
Quantify the emissivity of low emissivity materials

Lesson 7: Conducting Thermal Surveys
Identify the benefits of thermal imaging for building surveys
Describe ways to improve the quality of a thermal image
Understand when to adjust a thermal imager's emissivity
How ambient temperature affects low emissivity materials
Differentiate a reflection from a true hot spot
List advantages of interior thermal scans over exterior scans
How the direction of heat flow affects a thermal survey
Compare qualitative versus quantitative measurement
Explain the Delta-T requirement for a thermal survey
Describe how to move an area into transition
Describe mass transport of fluids temperature change
Describe change of physical state temperature change
Describe thermal capacitance temperature change
Describe energy conversion temperature change
Describe induced heating and combo temperature change
List the causes of false temperature change
Explain how emissivity, reflectivity, transmissivity, and target surface geometry can cause false temperature change

Lesson 8: Insulation Efficiency
Identify the primary causes of failing insulation
Define and give examples of thermal bridging
Describe how insulation R-value is determined
Identify the types insulation installed in attics
Explain important fire safety concerns with insulation
Recognize attic insulation deficiencies in thermograms
List the most common insulation bypass areas
Understand the methods for detecting ice dams
Recognize an improperly insulated Cathedral ceiling
Identify the accepted methods of insulating knee walls
Understand energy loss that occurs at eaves & soffits
How to assess and correct energy loss at recessed lights
Diagnosing insulation problems around rough openings
Understand the methods for insulating exterior walls
Ways to recognize and correct energy loss at steel studs
Understand how to insulate structural components
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of EIFS
The advantages of insulated vs. non-insulated slabs
List the components of an insulated basement subfloor
Understand methods used to insulate basement walls
Describe how a rim joist should be properly insulated
Understand methods for surveying basement walls
How to prevent energy loss in unvented crawlspaces
Recognize a properly insulated vented crawlspace

Lesson 9: Air Infiltration
Identify the primary causes of air infiltration
Describe how the stack effect creates air pressure differences
How wind pressure causes air infiltration and exfiltration
Explain the three ways that duct leakage affects air pressure
Understand how exhaust and supply fans change air pressure
Identify the main locations of air infiltration in a home
Explain how a thermal bypass can cause a convective loop
List the methods to improve inefficient exterior doors
Explain the purpose and use of a thermal break
Describe the benefits of caulking and weatherstripping
Know how to identify and correct basement air leaks
Understand how air sealing improves moisture control
Differentiate between observing air infiltration vs. moisture
Describe an energy-efficient window installation
List ways the U-Factor of windows can be improved
How IR scans can identify problems with gas-filled windows
The strengths and weaknesses of window films and coatings
How blower door depressurization tests diagnose problems
The relationship between air leakage and a healthy home

Lesson 10: Energy Loss Survey Reports
Understand the importance of customizable report software
How to adjust radiometric images using post processing
Critical camera adjustments that cannot be post-processed
How infrared camera images are added to reports
Understand the purpose of pre-survey agreements
Evaluate the scope of a thermal moisture survey
Understand the limits of a thermal moisture survey
Identify important information to include in reports
Understand how a thermogram should be documented
Evaluate the importance of careful report wording
Understand the purpose of report recommendations
Identify the purpose of including additional report notes
Describe the qualities of a properly completed report

Lesson 11: Moisture Investigation
How thermal moisture surveys differ from other surveys
The steps in preparing a property for a thermal survey
Identify the minimum temperature differential required
Understand the purpose of a moisture questionnaire
Examine the process of conducting a thermal assessment
Understand how to identify moisture in thermal scans
Differentiate between thermal bridging and moisture
Differentiate between air infiltration and moisture
Understand the value of tracing leaks to the source
Know the process that causes moisture to become cooler
Understand the complicated factors in tracing roof leaks
How to use thermal capacitance for flat roof surveys
Evaluate the value of thermal imaging for insurance claims
Identify factors that make exterior scans more complex
How to identify hidden moisture problems with EIFS
Identify additional uses for thermal inspections

Lesson 12: Moisture Survey Reports
Understand the importance of customizable report software
How to adjust radiometric images using post processing
Critical camera adjustments that cannot be post-processed
How infrared camera images are added to reports
Understand the purpose of pre-inspection agreements
Evaluate the scope of a thermal moisture inspection
Understand the limits of a thermal moisture inspection
Identify important information to include in reports
Understand how a thermogram should be documented
Evaluate the importance of careful report wording
Understand the purpose of report recommendations
Identify the purpose of including additional report notes
Describe the qualities of a properly completed report

Lesson 13: Standards and Ethics
Identify three purposes for an infrared building survey
Describe the scope of an infrared building envelope survey
List building materials that limit detection of anomalies
Identify conditions excluded from an infrared survey scope
Explain why an infrared survey is not a warranty or guarantee
Recognize the characteristics of a qualified thermographer
List client responsibilities for infrared building surveys
How the survey goal determines the survey method
Describe the thermal appearance of latent moisture, structural details, and energy loss during an interior survey
Distinguish between thermal conductivity & thermal capacitance
Describe the required conditions for an interior survey
List the procedures for an interior infrared survey
Explain the limitations of an interior infrared survey
Describe the appearance of latent moisture, structural details, and energy loss during an exterior survey
Describe the required conditions for an exterior survey
List the procedures for an exterior infrared survey
The requirements for thermal capacitance moisture surveys
Describe the minimum infrared survey report documentation
Additional documentation needed for quantitative surveys
Understand professional conduct for infrared thermographers
Describe ethical methods for performing infrared surveys
Understand what constitutes a conflict of interest
How to provide additional services when a potential conflict of interest exists

Top of Page

Infrared Moisture Survey Course Objectives

Lesson 1: IR Camera Operation
Define palette, range, and span for infrared cameras
Setting the temperature scale and contrast adjustment
Evaluate how pixel size affects infrared resolution
Differentiate between background noise and input noise
Describe the pixel array needed to measure a target
Understand the maximum allowable distance from target
How to adjust emissivity and reflectivity settings
List environmental data that should be collected
What information is overlaid on infrared images
Understand infrared camera image storage methods
Identify the properties of fused and stitched images
List advantages and disadvantages of infrared video
Understand the purpose of visual light comparison images
How to ensure dynamic range and image clarity
Recognizing and dealing with reflections
Recognizing and dealing with spurious convection

Lesson 2: Conducting Thermal Surveys
Identify the benefits of thermal imaging for building surveys
Describe ways to improve the quality of a thermal image
Understand when to adjust a thermal imager's emissivity
How ambient temperature affects low emissivity materials
Differentiate a reflection from a true hot spot
List advantages of interior thermal scans over exterior scans
How the direction of heat flow affects a thermal survey
Compare qualitative versus quantitative measurement
Explain the Delta-T requirement for a thermal survey
Describe how to move an area into transition
Describe mass transport of fluids temperature change
Describe change of physical state temperature change
Describe thermal capacitance temperature change
Describe energy conversion temperature change
Describe induced heating and combo temperature change
List the causes of false temperature change
Explain how emissivity, reflectivity, transmissivity, and target surface geometry can cause false temperature change

Lesson 3: Moisture Investigation
How thermal moisture surveys differ from other surveys
The steps in preparing a property for a thermal survey
Identify the minimum temperature differential required
Understand the purpose of a moisture questionnaire
Examine the process of conducting a thermal assessment
Understand how to identify moisture in thermal scans
Differentiate between thermal bridging and moisture
Differentiate between air infiltration and moisture
Understand the value of tracing leaks to the source
Know the process that causes moisture to become cooler
Understand the complicated factors in tracing roof leaks
How to use thermal capacitance for flat roof surveys
Evaluate the value of thermal imaging for insurance claims
Identify factors that make exterior scans more complex
How to identify hidden moisture problems with EIFS
Identify additional uses for thermal inspections

Lesson 4: Moisture Survey Reports
Understand the importance of customizable report software
How to adjust radiometric images using post processing
Critical camera adjustments that cannot be post-processed
How infrared camera images are added to reports
Understand the purpose of pre-inspection agreements
Evaluate the scope of a thermal moisture inspection
Understand the limits of a thermal moisture inspection
Identify important information to include in reports
Understand how a thermogram should be documented
Evaluate the importance of careful report wording
Understand the purpose of report recommendations
Identify the purpose of including additional report notes
Describe the qualities of a properly completed report

Lesson 5: Standards and Ethics
Identify three purposes for an infrared building survey
Describe the scope of an infrared building envelope survey
List building materials that limit detection of anomalies
Identify conditions excluded from an infrared survey scope
Explain why an infrared survey is not a warranty or guarantee
Recognize the characteristics of a qualified thermographer
List client responsibilities for infrared building surveys
How the survey goal determines the survey method
Describe the thermal appearance of latent moisture, structural details, and energy loss during an interior survey
Distinguish between thermal conductivity & thermal capacitance
Describe the required conditions for an interior survey
List the procedures for an interior infrared survey
Explain the limitations of an interior infrared survey
Describe the appearance of latent moisture, structural details, and energy loss during an exterior survey
Describe the required conditions for an exterior survey
List the procedures for an exterior infrared survey
The requirements for thermal capacitance moisture surveys
Describe the minimum infrared survey report documentation
Additional documentation needed for quantitative surveys
Understand professional conduct for infrared thermographers
Describe ethical methods for performing infrared surveys
Understand what constitutes a conflict of interest
How to provide additional services when a potential conflict of interest exists

Top of Page

Infrared Energy Loss Survey Course Objectives

Lesson 1: IR Camera Operation
Define palette, range, and span for infrared cameras
Setting the temperature scale and contrast adjustment
Evaluate how pixel size affects infrared resolution
Differentiate between background noise and input noise
Describe the pixel array needed to measure a target
Understand the maximum allowable distance from target
How to adjust emissivity and reflectivity settings
List environmental data that should be collected
What information is overlaid on infrared images
Understand infrared camera image storage methods
Identify the properties of fused and stitched images
List advantages and disadvantages of infrared video
Understand the purpose of visual light comparison images
How to ensure dynamic range and image clarity
Recognizing and dealing with reflections
Recognizing and dealing with spurious convection

Lesson 2: Conducting Thermal Surveys
Identify the benefits of thermal imaging for building surveys
Describe ways to improve the quality of a thermal image
Understand when to adjust a thermal imager's emissivity
How ambient temperature affects low emissivity materials
Differentiate a reflection from a true hot spot
List advantages of interior thermal scans over exterior scans
How the direction of heat flow affects a thermal survey
Compare qualitative versus quantitative measurement
Explain the Delta-T requirement for a thermal survey
Describe how to move an area into transition
Describe mass transport of fluids temperature change
Describe change of physical state temperature change
Describe thermal capacitance temperature change
Describe energy conversion temperature change
Describe induced heating and combo temperature change
List the causes of false temperature change
Explain how emissivity, reflectivity, transmissivity, and target surface geometry can cause false temperature change

Lesson 3: Insulation Efficiency
Identify the primary causes of failing insulation
Define and give examples of thermal bridging
Describe how insulation R-value is determined
Identify the types insulation installed in attics
Explain important fire safety concerns with insulation
Recognize attic insulation deficiencies in thermograms
List the most common insulation bypass areas
Understand the methods for detecting ice dams
Recognize an improperly insulated Cathedral ceiling
Identify the accepted methods of insulating knee walls
Understand energy loss that occurs at eaves & soffits
How to assess and correct energy loss at recessed lights
Diagnosing insulation problems around rough openings
Understand the methods for insulating exterior walls
Ways to recognize and correct energy loss at steel studs
Understand how to insulate structural components
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of EIFS
The advantages of insulated vs. non-insulated slabs
List the components of an insulated basement subfloor
Understand methods used to insulate basement walls
Describe how a rim joist should be properly insulated
Understand methods for surveying basement walls
How to prevent energy loss in unvented crawlspaces
Recognize a properly insulated vented crawlspace

Lesson 4: Air Infiltration
Identify the primary causes of air infiltration
Describe how the stack effect creates air pressure differences
How wind pressure causes air infiltration and exfiltration
Explain the three ways that duct leakage affects air pressure
Understand how exhaust and supply fans change air pressure
Identify the main locations of air infiltration in a home
Explain how a thermal bypass can cause a convective loop
List the methods to improve inefficient exterior doors
Explain the purpose and use of a thermal break
Describe the benefits of caulking and weatherstripping
Know how to identify and correct basement air leaks
Understand how air sealing improves moisture control
Differentiate between observing air infiltration vs. moisture
Describe an energy-efficient window installation
List ways the U-Factor of windows can be improved
How IR scans can identify problems with gas-filled windows
The strengths and weaknesses of window films and coatings
How blower door depressurization tests diagnose problems
The relationship between air leakage and a healthy home

Lesson 5: Energy Loss Survey Reports
Understand the importance of customizable report software
How to adjust radiometric images using post processing
Critical camera adjustments that cannot be post-processed
How infrared camera images are added to reports
Understand the purpose of pre-survey agreements
Evaluate the scope of a thermal moisture survey
Understand the limits of a thermal moisture survey
Identify important information to include in reports
Understand how a thermogram should be documented
Evaluate the importance of careful report wording
Understand the purpose of report recommendations
Identify the purpose of including additional report notes
Describe the qualities of a properly completed report

Lesson 6: Standards and Ethics
Identify three purposes for an infrared building survey
Describe the scope of an infrared building envelope survey
List building materials that limit detection of anomalies
Identify conditions excluded from an infrared survey scope
Explain why an infrared survey is not a warranty or guarantee
Recognize the characteristics of a qualified thermographer
List client responsibilities for infrared building surveys
How the survey goal determines the survey method
Describe the thermal appearance of latent moisture, structural details, and energy loss during an interior survey
Distinguish between thermal conductivity & thermal capacitance
Describe the required conditions for an interior survey
List the procedures for an interior infrared survey
Explain the limitations of an interior infrared survey
Describe the appearance of latent moisture, structural details, and energy loss during an exterior survey
Describe the required conditions for an exterior survey
List the procedures for an exterior infrared survey
The requirements for thermal capacitance moisture surveys
Describe the minimum infrared survey report documentation
Additional documentation needed for quantitative surveys
Understand professional conduct for infrared thermographers
Describe ethical methods for performing infrared surveys
Understand what constitutes a conflict of interest
How to provide additional services when a potential conflict of interest exists

Top of Page

©Professional Infrared Training Institute (PITI). All rights reserved.