NAIS Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

Statement of Purpose
The National Association of Infrared Surveyors (NAIS) is committed to advancing professionalism and trust in the thermal infrared survey industry. This Code of Ethics sets forth principles and rules of conduct that provide a minimum ethics requirement applicable to all NAIS members. It may be augmented by additional ethics code requirements by other authorities under whose jurisdiction services are being provided.

Principle 1: Professional Conduct

The thermographer shall always act in good faith towards the client.
The thermographer shall comply with all building security and safety rules.
Unless qualified, the thermographer shall not perform tasks normally performed by a licensed tradesperson.
The thermographer shall not render a professional opinion unless it is based on fact, education, or experience.
The thermographer shall not disclose the results of an infrared survey to others without client consent, unless compelled by law or an immediate threat to occupant safety.
The thermographer shall maintain truth in advertising, marketing, and promotion of services or qualifications.
The thermographer shall commit to ongoing professional development and education to help further the infrared survey industry.

Principle 2: Performing Services

The thermographer shall perform an infrared survey that is substantially in compliance with the NAIS Standards of Practice.
The thermographer shall use thermal imaging equipment with sufficient capabilities to meet the survey requirements.
The thermographer shall perform infrared surveys only when environmental and physical conditions are suitable for gathering accurate data.
The thermographer shall have sufficient knowledge of the components or systems surveyed to recognize anomalies in observed thermal images.
A written pre-survey agreement with the client shall disclose the scope of the inspection, limitations, and fees.
The written report submitted shall clearly illustrate and document anomalies observed.
The thermographer shall not exclude components that fall within the Standards of Practice without written agreement with the client.

Principle 3: Conflicts of Interest

The thermographer shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same service without the consent of all interested parties.
The thermographer shall inform clients of the right to obtain competitive bids for any work recommended.
The thermographer shall not allow any interest in any business to affect the quality of the results of the infrared survey.
The thermographer shall provide additional services to the client only after securing the written consent of the client in a separate document that includes a written statement of the services intended and how such services may conflict with the infrared survey.

Infrared Surveys of Building Envelopes

Standards for infrared surveys of building envelopes, available to NAIS members, set minimum requirements for describing and reporting conditions observed. Standards define and clarify terms, procedures, scope, conditions, and limitations as they relate to an NAIS Infrared Survey and Report.

An infrared survey of a building envelope can be conducted for multiple reasons including energy loss due to inadequate or damaged insulation, air infiltration, and deterioration due to moisture intrusion. The Infrared Survey Report communicates the information to the client through visual and thermal images and written documentation.

A qualified thermographer performs a non-invasive infrared survey of the readily accessible and applicable areas of the building envelope. The accompanying Infrared Survey Report documents areas with abnormal surface temperatures requiring further investigation. The Standards provide minimum guidelines for the survey, and outline what the thermographer should survey and report on, but are not intended to limit the thermographer from exceeding the Standards.

Relationship to Other Standards. The referenced national and international Standards below have been used as a normative guideline for the revised NAIS Standards for infrared surveys of building envelopes:

ASTM C-1060: Standard practice for Thermographic Inspection of insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings
ISO 6781 Thermal insulation, qualitative detection of thermal irregularities in building envelopes, Infrared Method
American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) SNTTC-1A, and ASNT CP-105-2011
RESNET 2006 National Mortgage Industry Home Energy Rating Systems Accreditation Standards, Chapter 8, RESNET Standard for Thermographic Inspections
ASTM E 1186-03: Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems.
IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Mold Remediation
Canadian General Standards Board, Document 149-GP-2MP, Manual for
Thermographic Analysis of Building Enclosures.