306.004 - Thermal Imaging Cameras.pdf

Fresno City Fire Department 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 306.004 THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS PURPOSE Provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members with guidelines for safe operation of Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC). APPLICATION This policy applies to all members while operatin...

Fresno City Fire Department 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 306.004 THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS PURPOSE Provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members with guidelines for safe operation of Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC). APPLICATION This policy applies to all members while operating the Thermal Imaging Cameras either for maintenance, training, or during emergency operations. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS All Department companies carry one thermal imaging camera. The Department uses two brands of TICs: Drager UCF 3200 (See Figure 1) and MSA (See Figure 2). These cameras operate on the same principal with very few operational differences. Thermal imaging cameras convert radiation, which is invisible to the human eye, into a visible light picture which can be seen. Long wavelength infrared radiation (LWIR) is emitted by all objects even when they are at, or below, room temperature. The TIC provides vision capability with zero light present. Effective Date: October 2007 Current Revision Date: 3/30/2022 Next Revision Date: 3/30/2024 Section 306.004 ADA Page 1 of 4 The thermal imaging camera is comprised of four (4) main elements: 1. Lens: This focuses the image onto the detector in the same way as an ordinary camera lens focuses an image onto film. Ordinary camera lenses are made of glass; TIC lenses are made of Germanium metal. 2. Detector: The detector converts infrared radiation into electrical signals. 3. Processing Electronics: These take signals from the detector and convert them into a form that can be displayed visually. The internal electronics have the control of all the camera functions, such as battery power, thermal management, graphics, and the lens. 4. Display: The display gives an image in the form of a black-and-white television picture that can be visually viewed. The display is arranged so hot objects appear white and colder objects appear black (Figures 3 and 4). Specifications: 1. Battery Types: Li-Ion rechargeable Effective Date: October 2007 Current Revision Date: 3/30/2022 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/30/2024 Section 306.004 ADA Page 2 of 4 2. Battery Life: a. Drager b. MSA 4.0 hours 2.0 hours 3. Battery Status Indicator: a. Drager: Battery bar, visible on screen, is indicated by five (5) bars (five being a fully charged battery). The bars can diminish as the battery capacity is diminished. A flashing battery icon indicates a low charge. Drager recommends changing batteries at 20 percent. b. MSA: Battery capacity is shown by a row of three LEDs: one green, one yellow, and one red. Only one of the three indicators will be illuminated at any time. Green indicates a full or nearly full battery charge. Yellow indicates marginal battery capacity. Red indicates a low battery (about 15 minutes remaining). A flashing red LED indicates battery shutdown is imminent (about oneminute warning time). Limitations: 1. The TIC can serve as a valuable tool to expedite search and rescue efforts; therefore, all members should become familiar with this equipment. The TIC can also serve as a tool for detecting heat during the overhaul phase of the incident. However, the TIC cannot penetrate most construction materials including drywall, plaster and lath, concrete, glass, plastic, or water. Because the camera has a blackand-white display, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between heat or fire trapped in a wall and radiant heat. 2. Depth perception is limited as the TIC allows only a two-dimensional view. 3. Human beings cannot provide enough thermal energy to penetrate most standard construction materials or solid items, such as furniture. Therefore, it should be reinforced that while conducting a search, rescuers must look under and around beds, sofas, and other objects where victims may have hidden to escape fire. 4. Water, plastic, and glass are all effective barriers for TICs and may cause reflective image. Effective Date: October 2007 Current Revision Date: 3/30/2022 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/30/2024 Section 306.004 ADA Page 3 of 4 5. The Drager has a possible whiteout condition. This is caused by aiming the unit at a very hot object or flame, which causes the TIC’s sensor to become overloaded and the display to show all white, rendering the TIC useless. To correct the problem, aim the camera away from the extreme heat source and the display should return to normal in under one minute, often within a few seconds. 6. High-temperature tolerance is a maximum 177 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour and 302 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. A hightemperature warning symbol reflects on the screen next to the battery symbol. The camera continues to operate, but the user may see some degradation of the image quality. If the user ignores this warning and continues to operate the camera in very high temperatures, the temperature warning symbol will flash. The user must remove the unit from the high ambient temperature at this time. Failure to comply may result in permanent damage to the unit. Cleaning and Maintenance: External surfaces of the case, base, visor, lens, viewing window, straps, and lanyard should be cleaned by wiping with Windex or a similar cleaner. Dry and polish with a soft cloth to avoid scratching the optical surfaces when cleaning. An SCBA anti-fog solution may be applied to lenses and viewfinder. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS REFERENCES No cross references recognized. Effective Date: October 2007 Current Revision Date: 3/30/2022 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/30/2024 Section 306.004 ADA Page 4 of 4