Thermal Imaging

Cameras

Terminal Objective

The students will be able to properly

use various types of TICs, while
identifying advantages and
disadvantages of its use. The
students will also be able to apply
these procedures to use in the field.

Enabling Objectives

Examine and properly use the Scott

Eagle Imager II.
Examine and properly use the Scott
Eagle 160.
Examine and properly use the
Talisman.
Examine and properly use the
Bullard.

Enabling Objectives

The student will be able to

understand the importance of correct
use and how to transmit images to
the Command Post.
The students will also review
proposed document NFPA 1801
Standard on Thermal Imagers for the
Fire Service.

Purpose

Provide efficiency and confidence in

individuals using TICs whether at
training or in the field.

Real Life Saves

October 19, 1999

Franklin, IN.
Flames were shooting out the front
windows, while black smoke filled the
structure.
Two year old child still inside.

Real Life Saves

Firefighters entered with TIC and

within minutes located the heat
signature of the child lying face down
in the hallway outside of his
bedroom.
Child was barely breathing when
extricated.
Bullard TIC.

Real Life Saves

April 26, 2001

New Jersey
Crews forced entry into two story
wood frame structure.
Structure fire, smoke from top-tobottom, and flames in master
bedroom.

Real Life Saves

Crews took Bullard TIC in to search,

cluttered house, entered bedroom,
and did sweep of bed and found
nothing. Found one victim on the top
bunk and extricated.
Using the TIC, FFs noticed an arm of
7 year old child on bottom bunk. 7
y/o was lying on top on 5 y/o child.
All in respiratory arrest.

Real Life Saves

3 children saved, 1 elderly lady

escaped and 3 people died.

TICs are very valuable, when we

know how to use them.

NFPA 1801

Proposed Document: Standard on

Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service
2010 Edition.

Scope:

This standard shall specify the design,

performance, testing, and certification
requirements for thermal imagers used
for fire service.

NFPA 1801

Purpose:

Minimum requirements.

Definitions:

Battery Indicator- Displays power status

of battery.
Display- Screen.
Field of View- The area that is visible
through an optical instrument.

NFPA 1801

Definitions:

Image Colorization- The application of

color to the otherwise grayscale image
to denote specific areas of concern.
Luminance- A photometric measure of
the amount of light that passes through
or is emitted from a particular area.
Resolution- The degree of sharpness of a
detected or displayed image. Resolution
is expressed as a matrix of dots.

NFPA 1801

Definitions:

Standby Mode- Power save mode.

White-Hot Polarity- Grayscale image
based on the fact that the warmest
object is the whitest object.

NFPA 1801

Certification:

Should be recertified every 5 years by

manufacturer.

Design Requirements:

Should be designed for not less than

50,000 cycles.
Switch on with single gloved hand.

NFPA 1801

Design:

Power button Green.

Turn On- 1 second
Turn Off- must hold for at least 3 seconds
and not more than 5 seconds.

TI Basic Operational Format

Grey scale imagery with white-hot polarity.
Power supply status
Internal electronics overheat indicator
Thermal imager-on indicator

NFPA 1801

Design:

TI Basic continued (Optional)

Heat indicating color
Temperature bar

TI Basic Plus
Switch for Plus to Basic
Provide all required in Basic

NFPA 1801

Design:

3 vertical sections
Left- Additional Info. Area
Center- Alarm and Operational Indicators
Right- Temperature Sensing Indicators

Test conducted for water proof.

Must withstand 500 degrees for 5
minutes.

Any Questions?

Scott Eagle Imager II

Scott Eagle Imager II

Looks at temperature differences

(infrared radiation) rather than visible
light.

Can recognize differences + or - .5 degrees.

Cooler objects appear as darker images while
warmer objects appear on the display screen
as lighter.

The images will appear sharper when

viewing objects with a greater
temperature differential.

Scott Eagle Imager II

Characteristics

Housing is water resistant.

Vibration and impact resistant.
Housing will support the weight of a 300
LBS. person crawling.

Sensitivity Distance

Focus on objects 3 feet to infinity.

Thermal images detected up to 600 feet.

Scott Eagle Imager II

Scott Eagle Imager II

Color Palette
Images can display in three ways:

Grey monochrome image- black/cool to

white/hot.
Autumn- dark red/cool to bright yellow/hot.
Color- blue/cool to bright yellow/hot.

Do not point directly at sun at all or

heat sources in excess of 1500 F for
extended time period.

Scott Eagle Imager II

Scott Eagle Imager II

Scott Eagle Imager II

Scott Eagle Imager II

Transmitter

4 channels

Burn building uses channel 2.

Scott Eagle Imager II

Scott Eagle Imager II

Radiometry- Degree read out F or C.

Min. 32 F.

Infotherm- provides a special

combination Grey monochrome/color
display where objects in excess of
450 F appear as shades of red in an
otherwise Monochrome image.

Scott Eagle Imager II

On-screen display provides

information:

Battery life
Internal temperature
Menu options

Scott Eagle Imager II

Battery Life

Rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride

battery capable of powering the unit for
approximately one hour with the use of
transmitter, slightly longer without
transmitter.
Battery Level appears in upper right
hand corner. White = Full, Black = Low

Scott Eagle Imager II

Battery Life

The low battery icon will appear near

the center of the display screen when
the battery requires charging. Triangle
with empty battery inside.
When appears user has approximately 5
to 10 minutes of life remaining.

Scott Eagle Imager II

Scott Eagle Imager II

Internal Temperature

Operates with 158 F internal core

temperature.
Will alert the user with a flashing
temperature warning icon.

Yellow Triangle with !

Scott Eagle Imager II

Menu options

To review menu, press and hold control

buttons.
Press once to scroll, press and hold to
assign.
Once assigned, press control button to
turn on/off.

Scott Eagle Imager II

Any Questions?

Scott Eagle 160

Scott Eagle 160

Very similar to Scott Eagle Imager.

Major differences:

Battery Life = approximately 3 hours,

2 hours if transmitting.

LOW BAT will show when 20% is left.

Operates in upper and lower

temperature ranges
EI will show in upper left corner for
temperatures above 200 F.
Temperatures above 1000F will appear red.

Scott Eagle 160

Differences:

Handle position

Can change to three positions for different

angles.

Control buttons
Right- On, off, and standby
Left- Transmit

Scott Eagle 160

Scott Eagle 160

Video

Any Questions?

Talisman

Talisman

Similar to Scotts
Major differences

Battery Life

Control Buttons

4.85 hours
Low Battery appears when 8-15 minutes are left.
Turn on/off with red button on bottom.
Button on left turn transmitter on/off
Button on right zoom 2X.
Button on top will convert reflections.

Use crosshairs to detect temperature

Talisman

Talisman

Any Questions?

Use of TIC

Not for night vision.

Will not see through walls

Will see temperature differences in the

wall.
Standing in Classroom 2, I could not see
students on the other side of the curtain
in classroom 1.

Glass, water, painted metal door and

surfaces similar can reflect infrared
waves and not detect behind.

Use of TIC

Must practice with in order to master.

Do not rely on, use as a tool in your
toolbox.
Emissivity Values

Steel, brass, copper, and aluminum can

vary accuracy.
Actual temperature for steel can be
500C but TIC read over a 1000C.

Use of TIC

Extremely dense smoke can obscure

some heat sources or high
temperature objects by absorbing the
infrared energy from the objects.
Heated smoke or a layer of heated
gases can obscure the presence of
heat sources or high temperature
objects by creating a uniform
temperature image.

Use of TIC

Occasionally wipe dirt and soot off

lens. May obscure or reduce the
clarity of the thermal image.

Should be cleaned after each use.

Use of TIC

Use of TIC

Use of TIC

Use of TIC

Use of TIC

Use of TIC

Use of TIC

Use of TIC

Use of TIC

Training with Transmitter

While conducting Live Fire Drills, the

FA will always verify that each
camera is transmitting properly to
the command center.

Familiarize yourself with the channel and

control button that manages the
transmitting.

This procedure allows for an

additional set of eyes and allows for
the evolution to be recorded.

Any Questions?

Summary

NFPA 1801
Scott Eagle Imager II
Scott Eagle 160
Talisman
Use of TIC