Infrared technology sees it before it becomes a problem
The adage prevention is better than cure has lead Alexander Forbes to use infrared technology as a tool for reducing insurance costs.
Pioneering the use of infrared thermal images in South Africa has allowed Infrared Inspection Systems (IRIS), a division of Alexander Forbes, to lower the cost of insurance by identifying breakdown in complex or invisible systems before they happen.
“Knowing where things are going wrong ahead of a breakdown is the difference between easily affordable maintenance costs and the total meltdown of a production line, smelter or aircraft engine” says Werner Lezar, Business Development Manager, Infrared Inspection Services at Alexander Forbes.
Historically “we only knew when there was a problem when furnaces started melting their casings, aircraft engines caught fire, or herds of cattle were already infected by foot and mouth. By then it was too late as everything needed to be replaced at considerable cost” says Lezar.
Nowadays infrared technology allows a thermal image to be taken of almost any operational, mechanical, scientific or organic system - showing areas of stress in colours corresponding to specific temperature ranges.
Knowing what the optimal temperature ranges should be for different parts of various systems “enables us to identify areas experiencing abnormal levels of stress before they break, burn, blow up or die, disrupting production lines, leaking, going off or killing animals or humans - costing millions of Rand in the process” explains Lezar.
Since the applications of this technology are endless infrared thermography can prevent millions in damage by enabling accurate predictive maintenance on:
- Power stations and substations
- Electricity suppliers
- Mines
- Mechanical plants
- Factories and workshops
- Scientific and laboratory equipment
- Ships
- Aeroplanes
- Railway tracks
- Dams, canals and pipes
“Infrared thermography can detect breast cancer three years before a mammogram can. The technology can also identify foot and mouth disease in animals and other conditions in humans such as bird and swine flue” adds Lezar.
Infrared technology also has military and security applications enabling the identification of movement in the dark or activity inside buildings or in thick bush or tall grass.
“Considering this technology can even identify rotten eggs and sour milk or spot unsealed cans, tins or leaking gas the implications for reduced insurance bills through preventative maintenance speak for themselves” concludes Lezar.
