CASE STUDY: THERMAL DRONE INSPECTION

Learn how SV Aerial & Consulting, through the use of thermal drone services, was able to locate problem areas where an elementary school building was losing heat and potentially accumulating unhealthy pockets of moisture.

Thermal Drone Inspection Overview

A thermal drone inspection was performed on the exterior of Bailey Park Elementary School in Grinnell, Iowa, on January 4, 2020, at approximately 0700 hours by SV Aerial & Consulting. Raw images and thermal imaging of the structure (and its components) were collected using a drone. The infrared images were processed with software to help interpret the data collected.

These interpretations and findings are based on physical observations and opinions by the drone experts at SV Aerial & Consulting. They encourage their clients to perform additional investigations if they feel it to be necessary.

Weather Conditions FOR the Thermal Drone Inspection

The ambient air temperature at the time of the thermal drone inspection was approximately 24° F. In the four hours prior, the ambient air temperature held steady within 5° F of the temp recorded during the inspection. There was a northwest wind at approximately 10 MPH present at the time of drone inspection. The skies were mostly cloudy with no precipitation. The roof did not have any visible standing water or snow, and there was no solar loading at the time of inspection.

Thermal Drone Inspection Results

From the roof and entrances to the windows and doors, the drone data collection from SV Aerial’s thermal imaging was able to uncover some crucial information that may have gone unnoticed by traditional inspection methods. Scroll down to view slides from this SV Aerial case study of the Bailey Park Elementary School in Grinnell, IA.

Figure 1. North Doors
Figure 2. North Doors

The bottom of the door at the threshold appears to show significant heat loss at SP1.
SP2 indicated some heat is lost through the glass on the windows.
Figure 3. West Doors and Roof
Figure 4. West Doors and Roof

SP2 and SP3 show a variation in the outside wall temperature at ground level (SP2) and mid-wall (SP3). This variation could be due to heat loss in the building foundation slab not being properly insulated.
SP1 shows significant heat loss through the threshold of the walk-through door. There also appears to be potential heat loss from the glass in the doors.
SP4 and SP5 show variations in temperature in the roof aggregate. This could indicate the roof is not draining properly. Moisture is trapped under the aggregate on the roof surface and causing this temperature difference.
Figure 5. North Half of Building
Figure 6. North Half of Building

SP1 and SP3 show moisture trapped under the aggregate of the roof. An additional inspection may be necessary to determine potential causes of the roof retaining moisture in these areas.
Figure 7. Kitchen Door
Figure 8. Kitchen Door

SP1 and SP2 show significant heat loss through the metal/glass kitchen door.
Figure 8 also shows heat loss at the foundation slab and through the windows below the air conditioning unit.
Figure 9. South Half of Roof
Figure 10. South Half of Roof

E1 and SP1 show moisture trapped under the aggregate of the roof. An additional inspection may be necessary to determine potential causes of the roof retaining moisture in these areas.