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Author
Burch, D. M.
Title
Use of Aerial Infrared Thermography to Compare the Thermal Resistances of Roofs. Final Report.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
Sponsor
Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Report
NBS TN 1107, August 1979,
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
roofs; thermal resistance; thermography; infrared detection; aerial surveys; heat loss; thermal radiation
Identifiers
energy audits; energy conservation
Abstract
The paper investigates whether a comparative roof survey using aerial infrared thermography can be used to rank the roofs of residential and commercial buildings according to their thermal resistance. Mathematical models are presented for predicting the apparent radiance temperatures of these roof systems. These models are used to investigate the differences in apparent radiance temperature between roofs having various thermal resistances. These predicted differences are then compared with predicted differences in apparent radiance temperature caused by typical variations in roof emittance, local outdoor temperature, and local wind speed throughout the macroclimate. The transmission characteristics of the atmosphere are reviewed, and the required dew-point spread for preventing dew or frost formation on a roof is examined.