In this article: Learn why some buildings need infrared electrical inspections while others don’t, what happens when an inspection reveals a problem, and how building owners and property managers can address the findings.

Two buildings are preparing for an electrical safety inspection. One needs infrared thermography. The other doesn’t. Why?

It might come down to where the buildings are located, the size of their electrical systems, or a concern that came up during an earlier inspection.

And here’s something else worth knowing: even when thermography isn’t required, it can still uncover electrical problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.

So when should you consider it, and what happens if the inspection finds something?

Why Does One Building Need Thermography and Another Doesn’t?

Local Building Safety Requirements

In South Florida, the answer often starts with local requirements for building safety inspections or recertifications.

Take Miami-Dade County and Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County. Both require infrared thermography as part of building recertification when the electrical service is rated at 400 amps or higher.

Learn more about Boynton Beach’s building recertification requirements.

Boca Raton takes a different approach. Thermography isn’t listed as a blanket requirement, but it’s strongly recommended in certain circumstances. In practice, electrical inspection reports may be returned for additional information when thermal imaging hasn’t been included.

Read about Boca Raton’s building recertification process.

And those aren’t the only reasons to schedule an inspection.

When an Electrical Safety Inspection Raises Concerns

Sometimes, an electrical safety inspection raises questions that call for further investigation. An electrical engineer might notice an unusual condition in a panel and recommend thermography to help identify the problem.

For example, in Broward County, infrared thermography isn’t required for every electrical inspection under its Building Safety Inspection Program. However, Broward allows the inspecting professional to use it when something warrants a closer look.

Read more in our 2026 Broward County Building Safety Inspection Program guide.

Or you’re responsible for an older commercial property and want to check for potential electrical trouble before it causes an unexpected shutdown. In those situations, thermography can be useful even without a recertification deadline.

What Happens When an Infrared Inspection Finds a Problem?

During a recent inspection at a condominium building in Boca Raton, our electrical engineer spotted something unusual.

A connection inside a fused disconnect serving an air-conditioning unit was much hotter than expected. One phase measured approximately 226°F, compared with 160°F at the reference point.

Our engineer classified the finding as critical.

An electrical contractor was already on site and, after investigating the condition, tightened a loose connection associated with the abnormal reading.

What If Your Building’s Inspection Finds Something Similar?

The first thing you’ll want to know is how serious it is and what needs to happen next.

Not every unusual temperature reading signals an emergency. Some findings need immediate attention. Others may call for further investigation or planned maintenance.

The electrical thermographer evaluates the temperature differences, considers the electrical equipment and its operating conditions, and assesses how serious the finding may be. In many cases, that expertise helps identify a likely cause and recommend what needs to happen next.

If the finding points to a serious safety concern, the engineer communicates it promptly. An electrical contractor can then investigate further and carry out any necessary repairs.

That’s what makes the inspection valuable: it helps identify problems and gives owners a clearer idea of where to focus their attention.

What Happens After the Inspection?

Once the inspection is complete, you’ll receive a report explaining what was found, which items need attention, and how urgently they should be addressed. For a property owner or manager, that report becomes the starting point for the next steps.

If repairs are needed, you’ll typically coordinate with a licensed electrical contractor. Depending on the findings and the applicable inspection program, you may also need to submit documentation, meet repair deadlines, or arrange a follow-up inspection.

In the Boca Raton example, our team returned later that year as part of the recertification process. The follow-up inspection confirmed that the previously identified critical and high-priority conditions had been corrected. Some medium-priority maintenance items still needed attention.

The key is to understand what your particular inspection requires, rather than assume every building follows the same process.

Your engineering team can help explain the findings, identify applicable requirements, and clarify what documentation or follow-up inspections may be needed.