Thermal Image Screening for Server Rooms & Live IT Equipment

Many workplaces operate server rooms, data racks, or technical equipment that cannot easily be shut down for inspection. In these environments, traditional testing and maintenance checks are often postponed or avoided altogether.

Thermal imaging screening provides a non-intrusive way to identify abnormal heat patterns in live IT and electrical equipment, helping to highlight potential issues without powering systems down.

Thermal imaging screening uses a specialist thermal camera to observe surface temperature patterns across visible components of server racks and associated equipment.

By identifying areas that appear hotter than expected, this screening process can help highlight components that may require further investigation by an IT or maintenance team.

This service is advisory in nature and is designed to complement existing inspection and maintenance practices.

Thermal imaging screening may help identify:

• Overheating server components
• Hotspots within data racks
• Abnormally warm power supplies and PDUs
• Uneven heat distribution that may indicate loading or ventilation issues
• Areas that warrant further investigation or monitoring

Important Note

This service is intended as a screening tool only.

• It highlights areas of abnormal heat
• It does not diagnose faults
• It does not replace shutdown maintenance or detailed inspection

Any anomalies identified should be assessed and addressed by the client’s IT, electrical, or maintenance provider.

This is not a diagnostic thermographic inspection and should not be considered a formal thermal survey.

Where agreed in advance, clients typically receive:

• Thermal images or short video clips of the server rack or equipment
• Basic visual annotations highlighting areas of interest
• A brief verbal or written summary of observations

Thermal footage can be shared promptly after the visit to allow rapid review by IT teams.

Thermal imaging screening is often carried out alongside PAT testing, providing additional insight for equipment that must remain live and cannot be unplugged during inspection.

While it is not an alternative to a full shutdown, it enhances the standard visual inspection element of PAT testing for critical equipment.

This service is suitable for workplaces that operate live technical equipment such as:

• Offices with server rooms or data racks
• Sites with CCTV, access control, or communications equipment
• Facilities with AV, broadcast, or monitoring systems
• Environments where downtime is difficult or costly

If your server equipment rarely — or never — gets powered down, thermal imaging screening offers a practical additional check.

These images show a ‘server rack’ in its normal state, and the view of it using a thermal camera.

Get in touch to discuss whether thermal imaging screening can be added to your next PAT testing visit.