ISO Standard 13379 and The Role of Thermography In Fault Analysis, and Casual Diagnostics

Fault analysis in thermographic terms examines various faults and the thermal symptoms resulting from there to determine symptomology of each fault type, that is, what thermal symptoms are present. Causal diagnostics approaches the issue from the opposite direction, seeing thermal patterns will identify the root cause of the problem to enable corrective measures, and an experienced thermographer will consider the root cause of the thermal energy he sees as important in determining and planning proper corrective actions. Causal analysis requires knowledge of the equipment component being inspected, the mechanism of the probable fault, and its potential path to failure.

ISO 13379 notes that the causal approach is used when the objective is to identify the root cause and this dualistic learning approach is imperative for new thermographers in understanding condition monitoring programs.

The concept of Failure Modes Symptom Analysis (FMSA) is also introduced in ISO 13379, as a diagnostic and prognosis process and with the selection of the appropriate monitoring techniques. The standard suggests that FMSA should be used in conjunction with existing Failure Mode Criticality Analysis (FMCA) that has already identified and ranked possible failure modes.

For effective FMSA we recommend biannual or quarterly inspections, documenting and tracking every machine to trend the equipment over time and track detected problems, their diagnosis, the root cause, the prognosis of each which is the critical tracking parameter, recommended actions, and then the actual corrective measures that were implemented.

Each facility will implement its own response to the thermographic analysis based on their maintenance philosophy and budget, and each corrective measure ought to be tracked to understand the needs and actions taken in the past as failure mode is reached, so management can implement alterations to the maintenance procedures and staff implementing those procedures and standardize procedures.

Fault analysis and root cause analysis using thermography allows for a very broad equipment type to be examined and diagnosed before failure mode is reached when applied properly. Implementing the concepts laid out in ISO 13379 allows both the thermographer and the facilities manager to reduce downtime, reduce maintenance costs and creates a large return on the analysis investment made by the company managers and maintenance department.

Preventative Maintenance (PM) is an indispensable process for industrial infrastructure as it directly affects the productivity and therefore, the company profit. Predictive Maintenance (PdM) increasingly proves its usefulness as a new maintenance philosophy and methodology as a cost effective and efficient maintenance system. When properly interfaced with production and material management, it will achieve optimum utilization of existing resources improving the reliability of equipment, which is especially important in mission critical equipment. Condition monitoring with a nondestructive and not-interruptive technology such as thermography is the highest form of maintenance in mission critical environments.

Modern business in a worldwide market economy demands the highest and best practices be implemented to reduce costs and maintain profitability, which implies best practices in maintenance to decrease downtime, maintain costly equipment, and increase the safety of personnel.

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