Final answer:
The first inspection requirement for thermal radiation barrier curtains is to calculate the IR radiation intensity at a distance from the source, similar to how astronomers shield and cool infrared detectors to prevent interference from nearby radiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first inspection requirement for all thermal radiation barrier curtains is to calculate the intensity of IR radiation in W/m² reflecting on a surface. For instance, if considering a heating element that radiates 1500 W with an area of 100 cm², where half of the radiated power is reflected and focused by a mirror, one would calculate the intensity of the IR radiation at a given distance,
in this case, 3.00 m away from the mirror. Infrared detectors, just like those used in astronomical observations, need shielding from nearby radiation to provide accurate measurements. This shielding is crucial because everything warm emits infrared energy, thus, in certain applications, detectors must be cooled to near absolute zero using liquid helium to prevent interference from their own thermal radiation.