The Application of Infrared Thermography for Enhancing Maintenance in Public University

Abstract

A university’s main function is to produce quality graduates, and in doing so, university buildings do play significant roles and are vital assets and resources. Hence, to prolong a university building lifecycle to ensure all university activities to continue performing at an optimum level, building maintenance management is central. Eventhough previous studies have been conducted in this area, university buildings maintenance is still viewed as insignificant. The research about utilization of infrared thermography in term of maintenance in public universities is still lacking. The objective of this research was to provide recommendations for areas within the public universities that can benefit from the application of infrared thermography to enhance maintenance. The research method used in this research was a qualitative method. Three public universities that were established for more than 50 years were chosen as case studies. The data was collected through narrative review and then analyzed. The findings highlighted the benefits of implementing infrared thermography in older building maintenance within public universities, particularly in improving energy efficiency and identifying hidden issues such as moisture intrusion and structural defects. The study emphasized the importance of timely maintenance actions based on infrared thermography assessments to reduce energy consumption and apply predictive maintenance strategies. By conducting in-depth analyses at three established public universities in Malaysia, the researchers demonstrate the effectiveness of infrared thermography in enhancing maintenance practices and prolonging the lifecycle of university buildings.