Structural forensic damage inspections are performed for insurance industry and adjusters to determine the cause, origin and damage to the roofing elements as a result of high winds, hail and other hurricane related issues. No roof system can be expected to give long term perfomwance without some attention and maintenance. Too frequently, roofs are forgotten until a leak develops. Most problems begin in a small way and if left undetected, develop into a more expensive need for repairs, or in the extreme, need replacement of the roof.

Roof damage Inspections consists of the following elements:

Infrared Inspection: To pinpoint and identify moisture within the roof mat.

Roof Moisture verification: Infrared roof testing is performed to verify areas of moisture.

Observations and Findings: Results of the investigation.

Drawings: Location of infrared findings of additional suspected moisture.

The summary of infrared analysis and thermograms correspond to areas shown on drawings.

EMA Structural Forensic Roof Inspections Techniques include

1. Principles of Infrared

With the Infrared Thermography, roofs can be scanned with a highly sophisticated infrared camera to detect and accurately map sub-surface moisture, thereby detemfining whether a portion or all of the roof requires replacement. Unlike other non-destructive techniques, infrared themal scanning assesses every square inch of the roofing including vertical flashing. This results in a comprehensive view of the roof s condition with the possibility of error minimized.

The thermographic survey is conducted by hand canying the Infrared cameras over the roof.

Thermography or Infrared Scanning is based upon the ability of a specialized infrared camera to detect variations in temperature radiating from the roof surface and to convert them into an electrical signal which is displayed instantaneously as a video heat image called a Thermogram. The difference in tones (black to white) denotes variations in the roofs surface temperature of 0.2 degrees Centigrade, and is influence by the moisture content.

Every object whose surface temperature is above absolute zero (-2T3 degrees C.) radiates electromagnetic energy which is a function of its surface temperature. The intensity of this radiation varies along the wave lengths of the electromagnetic spectrum from visual to the infrared ranges. Using a highly sensitive, real time infrared imaging system, it is possible to observe, qualify and record the thermal picture of the object whose temperature is between -20 and +2000 Degrees C. The sensitivity of the equipment is such that it is capable of detecting temperatures between two given surfaces to an accuracy of .2 Degrees C. at an ambient temperature of 30 Degrees C. The heat picture, known as a Thermogram, is composed of a gray scale with continuous contrast ranging from black to white. Areas of higher temperature appear lighter while areas of lower temperature appear darker.