Upping The Standards Of Thermal Inspection

In terms of suitability for hazardous engineering applications, IRISS infrared windows for thermal inspection are in a class of their own.

This is because they are the world’s only industrial grade windows able to withstand ambient temperature extremes, high humidity, continuous vibration, high frequency noise and high duty cycles.  

Whilst fluoride crystal windows may be (Read More)

an appropriate choice for undemanding applications and are certainly the best option where very high temperatures are involved, they are totally unsuitable for other harsh and industrial environments.  These limited life products easily shatter, especially in the presence of vibration.  Even an electrician slamming an enclosure door can cause this type of window to fracture.  

Although many crystal windows are coated, if that coating does not cover all the facets including the edges, water ingress will ultimately shorten its life.  This type of window is also susceptible to UV damage that results in it becoming opaque, ineffective and unsafe.

DNV accreditation
In sharp contrast IRISS polymer windows have an unconditional lifetime warranty against breakage.  They are reinforced by an aluminium honeycomb grill and are not degraded by acids, alkalis, UV and moisture.  These qualities, confirmed by their many accreditations, demonstrate their fitness for purpose in tough engineering applications. And now IRISS has added another important string to its bow.  Its VP and CAP Series carry DNV approval too.

In combination with existing Lloyds and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) credentials, the newly granted DNV accreditation makes IRISS windows the clear choice for preventative maintenance of electrical equipment in line with NFPA 70E electrical safety standards and the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations.
For anyone seeking engineering products that are suited to the rigors of the marine and offshore sectors, DNV accreditation is a very important attribute. It is one of the world’s top three certification bodies and authorised by more than 80 flag administrations to carry out statutory certification on their behalf.  

Close to one in six ships of the global fleet is classified by DNV and in the oil and gas field, a third of all floating production storage and offloading vessels, as well as 38% of drill ships are to DNV class.

Wide scope of application
The offshore and marine sectors employ substantial machinery, vast electrical installations and electronics systems that ideally need to be inspected with a thermal imaging camera.  Indeed this technology is clearly the best means of compliance with SOLAS regulations that dictate the maximum surface temperature should not exceed 2200C.

The use of IRISS windows allows process critical electrical components to be easily monitored under full load conditions by the thermographer without any danger of him or her being exposed to energized equipment.  This also eliminates the time and cost involved in complex PPE.  The potential cost savings achievable through the adoption of IRISS windows is therefore huge.

As the IRISS VP and CAP Series windows are suitable for use with any brand of thermal imaging camera, they can complement and enhance all predictive maintenance programmes.
Wide choice of products
The breadth of the IRISS product range covered by the newly granted DNV approval is extensive.  The VP range comprises seven product variations to meet the needs of specific applications. It includes the world’s only windows that allow visual inspection, thermal imaging across the entire IR spectrum and UV inspection with a corona camera, Platinum.

Also within the VP Series is the VP-12 US, the world’s first ultrasound port.  Not only does it allow quick and effective ultrasound inspection, the standard IRISS VP12 kit also includes an IR transmissive camera lens for optional and permanent use as an IR window for small targets or small IR camera lens apertures.  In effect it’s two products in one.

The IRISS CAP Series is the second group covered by the DNV approval and again, there are many types from which to choose.  For example, the Platinum CAP-T Series has the largest visually clear and IR transmissive viewing area available.  The patented PolyView System™ polymer allows fully energized systems to be thermally inspected and the larger rectangular version of this product provides an unparalleled field of view.
“DNV is not just important for the marine and offshore markets but also for our fast growing business in renewable energy too,” explained Anthony Ballard, Business Development Manager IRISS, EMEA.  “For the first time companies in these sectors can take advantage of infrared windows technology that is proven in the industrial market, safe in the knowledge that it complies with sector specific standards.  It will allow them to protect critical plant and assure personnel safety.”

Indeed the response from the marine sector to the IRISS DNV approval has been swift.  Since announcing this achievement IRISS EMEA, based in Chelmsford, has confirmed the receipt of a significant order from a major European manufacturer of floating accommodation and support vessels.

Expert help
Anyone considering adopting windows will find a helpful web tool at www.iriss.com/roi. It’s a simple to use, return-on-investment calculator that factors in every cost involved in running a preventative thermal imaging programme, with and without the benefit of infrared windows.

Created in MicroSoft Excel, the sections cover survey data input, IR window cost benefit analysis, installation cost estimate and the all important comparison analysis.  It’s comprehensive and takes just a short time to complete but the results are available instantly.

IRISS has also just released the second edition of its “10 Things You Need To Know About Infrared Windows”.  This is not a commercial publication but one that is designed to inform.

“Electrical systems require maintenance and inspection to ensure power is supplied in a safe and efficient manner,” explained the guide’s author, IRISS CEO and Level III thermographer, Martin Robinson. “It is essential to keep up to date on modern technology and techniques for energized electrical maintenance to make efficient use of energy and other vital resources.”

With this in mind the publication covers ten important subjects.  Typical infrared window applications provide the introduction and the subsequent chapters explain the pros and cons of optics, the importance of emissivity and how to calculate transmission rates.

The reader is then given guidance of what size of window to select for the given application, the appropriate installation procedures and standards & certifications.  

The final three chapters describe the benefits of IR windows, how to conduct a risk assessment and the business benefits of preventative maintenance using IR window technology.  A bonus section on installation consideration for IR windows completes this informative guide.

To receive a digital copy of “10 Things You Need To Know About Infrared Windows” simply visit http://www.iriss.com/10things