Transcript Thermal Imaging Cameras and Their Uses

Thermal Imaging Cameras
and 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
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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 & 5200
Shutter
• The unit has an
automated shutter
used to calibrate or
change sensitivity
• Fires about every 3060 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 Max
Relative Heat Indicator
Bullard T3 Max
Thermal 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 Max
Thermal 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 Max
Super 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
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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
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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 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 the
BOX
References
–Bob Pugh, Brian Lee and Bob
Hnatko of the Chesapeake Fire
Department
–Deepwater Fools
–Bullard
–MSA