How Often Should We Survey? A Strategy Beyond the Calendar
While many insurance policies suggest a simple annual inspection, a truly effective maintenance strategy is not one-size-fits-all. The optimal frequency for thermographic surveys depends entirely on your specific equipment, environment, and operational risks.
At Thermavision, we help you move beyond the generic "once a year" approach to develop a smart, cost-effective schedule that provides the best protection for your assets. Here are the key factors we help you consider.
Asset Criticality and Business Risk
The most important factor is the consequence of a failure. Ask yourself: "What would it cost if this piece of equipment failed?"
High-Risk / Critical Assets (Quarterly to Bi-Annual Surveys): For equipment where a failure would cause significant financial loss (e.g., $100,000+), major safety hazards, or a complete operational shutdown, more frequent inspections are a wise investment. This often includes main switchboards, critical production machinery, or data centre power supplies.
Medium-Risk Assets (Annual Surveys): This is the standard for general facilities panels, distribution boards, and other key infrastructure where a failure would be disruptive but not catastrophic. This frequency typically aligns with general insurance and compliance requirements.
Low-Risk Assets (Every 2-3 Years): For minor, non-critical aspects of your operation with built-in redundancy, less frequent surveys are often sufficient.
Peak Demand Cycles
An inspection is most effective when your systems are under significant load. We recommend scheduling surveys during periods of peak demand, such as the peak of summer for cooling systems or during high-production shifts in a manufacturing plant.
Environmental Conditions
The surrounding environment has a direct impact on the lifespan and reliability of your equipment. We will recommend more frequent surveys if your assets are exposed to:
Corrosive Elements: Salt air, chemical vapours, or high humidity can accelerate the degradation of connections.
Dust and Debris: Heavy dust build-up can act as an insulator, causing components to overheat.
Temperature Extremes & Vibration: Harsh operating conditions can place additional stress on all electrical and mechanical systems.
Equipment Age and History
New Installations & Commissioning: An inspection is essential after any new equipment has been installed, repaired, or recommissioned. Even brand-new components can have manufacturing or installation faults. A post-installation survey verifies work quality and provides a valuable baseline for future inspections.
Aging Assets: As equipment ages, the likelihood of failure increases. A more frequent inspection schedule for older, critical assets is a prudent part of any risk management plan.
A Note on Third-Party & Tenant Surveys
If a tenant or contractor arranges their own thermography, do you receive a copy of the report? It is vital to verify the quality and completeness of these inspections. We have seen firsthand where inadequate surveys by other providers have missed critical faults—in one case, numerous connections running at over 175°C—that posed an immediate fire risk. Ensuring a qualified and thorough inspection is conducted is a critical part of your due diligence.