Tic

Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning

Rapid Intervention Company Operations (R.I.C.O.)Michael R. Mason and Jeffrey S. Pindelski

Hall County Fire Academy – Fire Services

Rapid Intervention and the Thermal Imaging

Environment




Objectives

• Discuss the basic principles on which thermal imaging is based.• Explain how mass and density affect the image visualized on

the thermal imager.

• Clarify the three different types of infrared energy emitters.

• Discuss the drawbacks and limitations of thermal imaging.

• Identify how thermal imaging can be utilized in searching for trapped firefighters.




Objectives

• Explain the effects that image inversion has on a search with the thermal imager.

• Explain what is meant by a T.I.C. lead search.

• Explain what is meant by a landmark search.




NFPA Standards

• NFPA 1403

• NFPA 1500

• NFPA 1710

• NFPA 1720




Introduction

• Thermal Imaging Technology has provided a new edge and limitless possibilities on the fireground.




History of Thermal Imaging Technology

•Used by Military since the 1950’s•Fire departments began using this technology in the late 1980’s•Not used to their fullest potential




Modern T.I.C. Cameras

• Modern TICs do not require focusing. The microbolometer does not have an iris like a camera.

• The default sensitivity of the camera determines what you see. The more sensitive, the less you see.




Potential Uses•Initial Size-Up•Primary and Secondary Search•Location of Fire and Extension•Monitoring of Conditions Indicative of Flashover•Overhaul•Rapid Intervention Operations•Hazardous Material Situations•Preplanning •Fire Inspections•Urban Search and Rescue•Assisting Law Enforcement




How does it work? •Based on infrared energy•All objects emit energy to different degrees•Heat is a form of IR




Infrared Energy

•Unaided vision is dependent on visible light available•Smoke is made up of toxic gases &carbon particles•Solid carbon particles block visible light•IR is unaffected by light since it is based on heat




What Do We See?

Why does this wall look hotter then the rest of the building?




This Is What We See

• The parapet wall has been heated by sun causing it to appear hotter then the rest of the building.




Energy Emitters•Law of Heat Transfer - hot to cold•3 Types of IR emitters

Passive - Furniture

Active - A Human being

Direct Source - A Fire




Mass and Density

T.I.C.s cannot see through some objects, they can only pick up heat differentials that may pass through.




Mass and Density

• Some objects allow IR energy to pass through others don’t




Mass and Density

Masking – a passive emitter (Turn-out gear) may mask an active emitter (A firefighter).




FF Down




FF Down

• Note the signature of the FF

• Note the shapes of some objects like boots and gloves

• Must be able to interpret shapes (heat signatures) as well as color variations.

Boots

Gloved Hand




Drawbacks

• Expensive• Intricate technology and components are

subjected to:

Impact

Heat

Water Exposure

Easily damaged




Limitations•T.I.C.s cannot replace a solid basic foundation in search techniques •Can cause overconfidence and dependability •Battery Powered




Limitations

•Size of Screen•Depth Perception•Field of View•Cause the user to advance faster than the rest of the crew




Limitations

•Object density affects imaging capability•Cannot see through glass or water•Shiny objects reflect infrared energy•Doors and windows may not be able to be determined if made of glass•Vision is compromised while in a room where sprinklers are actively discharging




What the Human Eye can See




What T.I.C. will see• IR heat energy is

reflected by glass• T.I.C. picks up the

reflected IR energy from windows




Using the T.I.C.

•Thermal Contrast – difference in temperature between objects

•Low Contrast Scene- ambient temperature is cool and all objects are close to that temperature

•High Contrast Scene- high thermal energy present with differences in rates of energy absorption




Using the T.I.C.

• Low Contrast Scene- all objects are close to the same temperature

• Commonly referred to as white out, usually a high temp room, where all objects are near the same (high) temperature




Using the T.I.C

• Create thermal contrast-Open the nozzle

• Some objects will cool down and there will be thermal contrast

• This will allow you to see objects in the room




Temperature Differences

• The color difference only represents a difference on temp.– Not an exact temp

reading




Hot Wall

http://www.bullard.com/thermalimager/pictures/?action=displayimage&item=images%2FFire+Service%2FThermal+Images%2FFolder1%2FHi%2DRes%2Fmx%5Ffire%5Fbehind%5Fwall%5Fstop%2Ejpg




What’s behind the door?




Heat




Using the T.I.C.

The more clear that the picture becomes onscreen signifies that you are getting closer to the source of heat

Direction & Velocity = LocationThe less heat emitted, the darker an object will appear on the screen




Using the T.I.C.

•Thermal Layering

- Check for presence against a fixed landmark

- Monitor for movement •Image Inversion- occurs when images change colors due to changes in ambient temperature. What was once light colored may become dark due to changes in surrounding temperature change.




Six Point ScanSystematic approach should be utilized to scan an area.

1. Ceiling

2. Midlevel

3. Floor

Overcomes a tunnel-

vision approach




Six Point Scan

Systematic approach should be utilized to scan an area.

1. Ceiling – Looking for thermal balance, rafters etc.

2. Midlevel – Looking for thermal balance, windows, doors, furniture, victims etc.

3. Floor – Looking for holes, victims etc.




Six Point Scan

By starting at the top and performing this type scan before you enter every room you are ensuring you do not enter a hazardous environment. Such as a room with burnt through ceiling joists, or eminent flashover etc.




TIC Lead Search

TIC operator leads the search team through the area to be searched while relaying information to the team members in regards to direction of travel and obstacles.

This could be used in a cluttered room.




TIC Lead Search• Even using TIC some

areas must still be searched by hand




Landmark SearchTIC operator identifies a specific landmark and has team search as they make their way to that point.

This could be used in a room that is open with very little objects in the way.




Scott Eagle Imager 160





• Getting started• Press either

button to turn on the camera

• An initial screen will appear for aprox 5 sec.





• Screen Information





• Temperature difference modes– Monochrome -The display screen uses shades of

grey, from black to white. Warmer objects appear on the screen as lighter grey to white while cooler objects appear darker grey to black

• Objects < 200 deg. F cause the camera to stay in the default or lower temp mode. Objects > 200 deg. F cause the camera to switch to the enhanced image mode. The letters “EI” will appear in the upper left portion of the display screen to indicate the camera is in the enhanced image mode.





• Temperature difference modes– Monochrome Red – displays shades of grey

the same as the Monochrome mode, but objects exceeding 1000 deg F. will appear red in the display screen





• Monochrome Red mode





• Temperature difference modes– Color mode – this displays a range of

temperatures in the screen as color from Blue to Yellow.

• BLUE represents cooler areas and YELLOW represents hotter areas

• The colors do NOT correspond to specific temperatures, but give a relative picture of temperature ranges.





• Screen while in the color mode.




Scott Eagle Imager 160• Manually change display modes

– Press and hold the LEFT control button for 3 seconds

– The sequence is as follows• Color mode• Monochrome-Red mode• Monochrome mode

– After the Monochrome mode press and hold the LEFT control button to return to Color mode





• Temperature indicator– Displays and small

crosshair

– This reads the approx temp of the object in the crosshairs

• TEMPERATURE INDICATOR dose NOT read exact temperatures (use for relative temperature differences)





• Over Temperature Protection– A HIGH TEMP warning will be displayed on

the screen when the core temp reaches 160 deg F or higher.

– The warning indicates the camera’s performance will begin to degrade and the unit may shut down





• Video transmitting– The TIC has the ability to transmit video to an

outside monitor.– Helpful for outside FF and IC to have a better

idea of conditions inside the structure.




Scott Eagle Imager 160• Video transmitter

– The camera will power up in the mode it was in when last shut down

– Press LEFT control button and CH-A will appear

– Press again and CH-B will appear

– Press again and nothing will appear





• Battery– When the battery has

approx 20% life remaining, LOW BATT will appear below the battery level symbol in the display





• Battery Life– 3 ½ hours under

normal operation– 2 hours while

transmitting





• Battery Maintenance– Battery charger and recharging

• Green light indicates fully charged battery

• Yellow light indicates the battery is outside its temperature for charging

– Allow battery to cool

• Red light indicates charging in progress• Flashing red light indicated defective battery

– Battery charged for more then 4 hours and indicator light is red indicates and defective battery




Scott Eagle Imager 160• To turn off

– Press and hold the RIGHT control button

– Screen will display HOLD TO TURN OFF – RELEASE FOR STANDYBY continue to hold.

– Standby can be utilized to help conserve battery power





• Battery Maintenance– Battery charger and recharging

• Green light indicates fully charged battery

• Yellow light indicates the battery is outside its temperature for charging

– Allow battery to cool

• Red light indicates charging in progress• Flashing red light indicated defective battery

– Battery charged for more then 4 hours and indicator light is red indicates and defective battery





• Cleaning– Clean as necessary using a dampened cloth

with solution of mild detergent and water– Rinse with cool/warm water (no hot water)– DO NOT submerge in water




Summary

T.I.C.s can vastly improve a rescue effort, but they do not ensure success.

An in-depth understanding of thermal imaging, how it works and practice will allow the rescuers to properly interpret the images on screen.




References

• Original created by Rapid Intervention Company Operations (R.I.C.O.) and published by Delmar learning.

• Updated by Hall County Fire Academy.

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