Visual = able to be seen. That's as far as I want to go.
Like Jerry wrote, hands in the pocket unless you are taking off a cover to something like an electrical box.
Why can't an infrared camera help with a "Visual" inspection without taking it beyond the norm? I turn it on, I point it in a direction and I visually look at the information on the screen just like you would visually look at the information on the wall with your own eyes. How much more visual is that?
When it comes to training (I like using the word education and this definition "The knowledge or skill obtained or developed by a learning process." which can be formal or informal), there will always be a learning curve. There will always be people saying that more education is needed.
I asked these questions which helped me determine my liability for using the camera.
*Am I experienced in using the IR camera at this time?
NO
*Do I use the camera
only to determine if a problem exist?
NO
*Can I educate myself when problems are seen?
Yes (Example: Clearly see moisture running down a pipe and then check with the IR Camera to see what it looks like.)
*Is formal training available and is it needed?
Yes
*Does I have to rely
only on the camera to determine if a problem exist?
NO
*Can I charge extra for using an IR camera?
Not at this time
Change is always occurring and this includes the way home inspections are done. Look how much change has occurred from 30 years ago when it comes to doing home inspection (a lot more training available, the opportunity to do enough home inspections to support a family, report writing has become more complexed, expectations from the home inspectors are much higher, etc.)
The 45 minute inspection with writing a few problems on a blank piece of paper is over.
