Timber pest inspections are frequently carried out in Australian house and buildings to ascertain not only whether timber pests are currently present but also advise on past timber pest activity, the possibility of damage existing at the property and of the potential risk of future timber pest issues.

Timber pest inspectors have a range of standard tools that are used in carrying out the timber pest inspections. In recent years, with the improvement in a range of technologies several new inspection techniques have become available to the timber pest inspector.

One of these technologies is the thermal imaging camera.

The traditional tools although very effective are also quite simple in their application. The thermal imaging camera is not simple to use and the data it will provide is not simple to interpret. There is also a wide selection of thermal camera equipment available, and many have very specific industrial uses and not all camera types or formats can be used for all thermal investigation types.

The thermal imaging cameras have been used for timber pest inspections since the end on the 1990’s and the number of cameras used by the timber pest inspection industry has been growing rapidly since that time. This is probably due to the reputation of the technology, the improvement in the technology and the reducing cost of the technology.

This code was seen to assist both the timber pest inspector and their clients. It is designed to provide the following:

• A guide to camera specifications best suited to the timber inspection industry.
• A guide to the experience and training required to practice as a timber pest inspection thermographer.

• Provide a guide against which these timber pest inspection thermographers canbe measured.

• Benefit the property owners, purchasers, timber pest inspectors and people associated with properties at risk from timber pests.