Thermal Imaging Camerasand Their Uses

Objectives

• Student will know each thermal imagers operation and features

• Students will understand the basic mechanics of thermal images

• Student will understand applications

Countryside Cameras

• 4131 Bullard T3 Max

• 4110 MSA Evolution 5200

• 4111 MSA Evolution 5000

Camera Features

Bullard T3 Max

• Microbolometer Core– Will Shutter

• EI mode

• Relative Heat Indicator

• Electronic Thermal Throttle

• Super Red Hot Feature

Camera Features

MSA Evolution 5000 and 5200• Microbolometer Core

– Will Shutter

• Optional quick temp indicator with digital measurement

• Low sensitivity mode indicator• Shutter indicator• Heat seeker plus indicator• Over temperature indicator

Bullard T3, MSA 5000 & 5200Shutter

• The unit has an automated shutter used to calibrate or change sensitivity

• Fires about every 30-60 seconds depending on environment

• When it fires screen will freeze for 1-2 seconds

Bullard T3 Max EI mode

•2 levels of operation

•Normal- low temp scenes

•EI –elevated temperatures

•Automatically switch when object viewed >300 degree F

•Will shutter between modes

MSA Evolution 5000 and 5200

Low Sensitivity Mode Indicator

• Will automatically switch when TIC senses environment about 300 degrees F

• “L” appears on lower right corner of screen

Bullard T3 Max

Relative Heat Indicator• Bar graph on right side of screen

• Temp accuracy decreases as distant from object increases

• Accuracy of indicator dependent on;– Distance from object– Emissivity (ability to radiate heat)

MSA Evolution 5000 and 5200

Optional quick temp indicator with digital measurement

• Similar to relative heat indicator• Temperatures from 32 degrees F to 300

degrees in high sensitivity mode and 32 degrees to 1000 degrees in low sensitivity mode

• Digital value only displays approximate value

Bullard T3 MaxRelative Heat Indicator

Bullard T3 MaxThermal Throttle

• Enables firefighters to optimize the scene with the touch of a button• Pinpointing hot spots during overhaul, searching for overheated

electrical equipment, and distinguishing hotter objects from cooler ones

• Paints the hottest objects in the scene blue, leaving other hot objects white

Thermal Throttle

Bullard T3 MaxThermal Throttle

For firefighter safety, the ETT blue feature does not operate when the T3 MAX

detects it should be operating the Super Red Hot feature

Bullard T3 MaxSuper Red Hot Feature

• Heat levels are identified by color

• Starting at 500 degrees, heated objects are yellow transitioning to orange then red

• Provides enhanced visual awareness

MSA Evolution 5000 and 5200

Optional Heat Seeker PLUS Indicator

Graduated color (yellow to orange to red) of portions of a scheme that are above 275°F(135°C)-yellow, 297°F-red, in High Sensitivity, or 842°F-yellow, 914°F-red, in Low Sensitivity mode

MSA Evolution 5000 and 5200

Over Temperature Warning• Lower left below screen• Flashing red indicates exceeded recommended

operational thermal limits

Tests on the Evolution TIC’s indicate that it will provide an acceptable image when subjected to an ambient temperature or approx. 248 degrees

for about ten minutes. Exposure to conditions exceeding these will result in deterioration and

loss of image.

Emitters

• Active– Produce own heat– Human

• Passive– Object that can be heated or cooled– Does not produce own heat

• Direct– Source of heat– Sun, fire

Active emitter exercise

Passive Emitter Exercise

What a TIC will do

• Allows you to “see” the area that you are working in.

• Dramatically cuts down the time for a primary search.– Narrows down the search area.

• Locate the seat of the fire quicker.

• Assist with size-up.

What a TIC Won’t Do

• Won’t “see” through water, windows or windshields.– Infrared wavelengths won’t pass through

those types of mediums.

What a TIC Won’t Do

• Won’t “see” through furniture.

• Won’t “see” through walls, floors, etc.– It will “see” heat transferred through walls.

Fire in Wall

Practical Applications

– Size-up– RIT– Light ballast, electrical

motor/appliance issues– ID spaces quickly:

attics, walls, cocklofts, utility chases, roof profile

– Victim ejections, limb searches

– Overhaul• Extension searches

– Chimney fire– Search

Practical Applications

– Roof vent location• “See” the truss system• Directly over the fire• Cut-man can see the

area in need of cutting

– Wildland/Brush – Haz Mat incidents– Top of water searching

Size Up – Fire location

Size Up – Fire location

RIT

• SCBA bottles and fittings will appear dark

• Reflective trim on gear will contrast with fire resistive material

• Firefighters will not be located in the traditional locations that civilian victims are found

• Look for signs of firefighter presence (marked thermal layers, hose lines,cold/wet spots, etc.)

RIT

SCBA bottles and fittings will appear dark while straps and padding will absorb heat

RIT

“Reflective trim on gear will contrast with fire resistive material”

Electrical Outlets• Use traditional

means to check for heat

• Identify problem outlet

• Obtain Thermal Image

Electrical Outlets

• Monitor area and ensure thermal outline decreases– Decreases causing

unnecessary damage

• When is it time to open up??– Anytime you want to..

• Or if you see this starting to occur

ID Spaces

• Parapet height?

• Construction Type?

SEARCHING W/ TIC

• Interior searches should be approached with safety in mind.

• Do not abandon current safety practices– Teams– Patterns– Organization– Communications

• USE OTHER SENSES AS WELL• Stay low• REALITY CHECKS

– Take non-camera views- every 30 seconds

Six-sided Approach• First (UP)

– Ceiling where heat is, heated gasses, extension or collapse areas. Where is it moving?

• Second (DOWN)– Floor. No holes, make sure you are not directly

over the fire or other hazards.

• THIRD, FOURTH , FIFTH– Right, Center, Left – Look for hazards, egress

• SIXTH (BEHIND)– Hazards, changing conditions– Egress routes

Convection Waves

SEARCHES w/ TIC

• Camera Directed Search– TIC operator makes a room– Gets 6 sided view– “DIRECTS” search crews through space– Stays at the door or egress point for when

camera malfunctions

SEARCHES w/ TIC

• Camera Led Search– TIC operator makes a room– Gets 6 sided view– Camera operator with the TIC searches the

space– Unsighted crews stay at the door or egress

point for when camera malfunctions

SEARCHES w/ TIC

• Point to Point– Accelerates searches– Does not search areas

he/she can see are clear

– When in doubt, search– Utilized in conjunction

with other search techniques

SEARCHES w/ TIC

• TIPS– Review where you have been– Check for changing conditions– Communicate often and clearly– Establish landmarks, window sill tops, door jambs

to evaluate thermal layer -Make one if necessary– DO NOT forget the basic fundamentals of proper

searching– Reality checks often– Scan shoulder to shoulder– Let a searcher see the area prior to searching

SEARCHES w/ TIC

• TIPS– TICS can fail– TICS WILL FAILTICS WILL FAIL– Cannot see through water,

glass– Depth perception is altered– NOT intrinsically safe– Glass or smooth surfaces

will reflect an image– Scan horizontal not vertical

Ventilation• Use TIC to find

ventilation points• Vent over seat of fire• See” the truss

system• Cut-man can see the

area in need of cutting

Overhaul

• Use thermal throttle• Overhaul hottest

areas

Checking for Extension

TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Three main things we are looking for– Life Safety

• Occupants, down fire fighters

– Fire Conditions• Thermal Layering• Convected heat and fire

gasses• Fire source

– Structural Conditions• Structural integrity

Hazmat

Wildland / Brush Fires

• Locate hotspots faster

• Better application of water

• Save on valuable resources

Water Rescue

• Look for shape as well as heat

Common Mistakes Made

• Neglecting the physical search– Relying SOLEY on the camera

• TIC operator strays from rest of crew

• Crews forget basics– Leave walls, hose lines

• Communication

• Standing up in thermal layer

• Crews now WALK, or worse, RUN through buildings

Common Mistakes Made• Crews miss exits

• Manpower limitations

• Not clearing condensation off of lens and germanium

• Forgetting that the TI has no peripheral vision

• Missed holes in floors– Water on floor will look like a hole

Just Another TOOL in Just Another TOOL in the BOXthe BOX

References

–Bob Pugh, Brian Lee and Bob Hnatko of the Chesapeake Fire Department

–Deepwater Fools–Bullard–MSA