Blog Posts

Understanding Distance to Spot Ratio: In thermal imaging, the two most critical attributes are emissivity and distance to spot ratio. However, these two areas are often neglected, misunderstood, or totally incorrectly shared with firefighters. For example, many firefighters tend to only read the numerical temperature reading in the lower right corner of the view finder otherwise known as the “spot temperature” or direct temperature measurement. This is a very dangerous issue. Here is why: The spot temperature is a numerical representation of the average of a certain number of pixels within the focal point (or cross hairs) at a preset distance [...]

When travelling to conferences or training weekends teaching thermal imaging to firefighters we are repeatedly asked which brand camera is the best? While everybody has their preferences, the more practical is “the one you have been thoroughly trained to use.” Sure, there are differences between color palettes, grips, and sensitivity modes but, that is an object focused mentality. How competently you apply the camera to your operations will mean more than the name the case bares. Much of the United States fire service has failed in this area for the last couple decades. The technology integrated into the cameras has far [...]

What does NFPA 1801 state in regard to colorization? Section 6.6.4.1.9  In the TI BASIC mode, the heat color reference bar shall have a color scale that includes only the following colorization: Grey- at the bottom of the heat color reference bar before color indication begins and shall not be more than 50 percent of the overall height of the heat color reference bar.Yellow- at the low end of the heat color reference barOrange- in the middle of the heat color reference barRed- at the high end of the heat color reference bar This the NFPA 1801 approved color/temperature progression for thermal [...]

TIC’s can’t see through glass?  They actually can’t see through anything but you’d be amazed what you can see! Check out our Blog Post-Overcoming Thermal Imaging Camera limitations: Firefighters are taught that thermal imaging cameras cannot see through glass and this is technically correct.  But, have we considered the following: Depending on the type of glass, IR energy can be transmitted through single pane leaded glass or automotive glass with high metal contents. The materials that frame the glass emit/absorb heat thereby can produce a noticeable heat signature known as thermal bridging.The caulk and insulation around the openings (windows and doors) [...]

Low Hertz, Hurts Performance Ever been frustrated with your internet connection as it seems to make live videos freeze for a second and then catches back up quickly? Thus causing you to miss pieces of information you had been glued to the screen to see. The same thing can happen with your thermal imaging camera. Imagine scanning a room in a hurried yet controlled motion to aid your search. Yet, as you move the camera from shoulder to shoulder it freezes causing you to not see half the room as your partner moves ahead to perform a hands on search. This [...]

Enhanced Stream Placement: Intelligently Aggressive Fire Attack The issue with most water application isn’t the nozzle. It is the nozzle man. Water is often applied based on a method and an educated guess. In many cases, firefighters have withheld water because they didn’t see flames but were being cooked by a blast furnace of superheated gases and convection currents.  Tactical Thermal Imaging allows firefighters to direct their streams more efficiently toward where the water is needed most rather than all over or missing superheated areas. In many cases, of watching firefighters on standard training fires we have noted that firefighters only [...]

Enhanced Search Methodology: The use of thermal imaging cameras has enhanced the firefighter’s overall effectiveness particularly in the area of searching for victims or downed firefighters. In the late 90’s several large and well known fire departments were invited to participate in a study. They were given two identical search scenarios: one conducted without a TIC and one conducted with a TIC. The results were staggering. Without the use of a TIC the search crews missed the victims 60% of the time whereas they found the victim with the TIC while searching 99% of the time. In addition to this the [...]

Why is Field of View Important? In our curriculum we cover the five key attributes of thermal imaging in depth and they are as follows: Field of View Temperature Modes/Application Modes Resolution & Color Palettes Distance to Spot Ratio: Emissivity What is Field of View? Field of view is the total field, measured as an angle, within which objects viewed by a TIC. Narrower FOVs generate more life-size images and distances, while wider FOVs place more image on the display. Therefore it is a tradeoff for us as firefighters to have a wider field of view so we can see the big [...]