Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Thermal Imaging Cameras PDF

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 410-03 Thermal Imaging Cameras Issue Date: 05/21/2018...

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 410-03 Thermal Imaging Cameras Issue Date: 05/21/2018 Effective Date: 06/21/2016 PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating guideline is to establish standard procedures for utilizing a Thermal Imaging Camera at various incidents. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator  NFPA 1500 SCOPE: This standard operating guideline shall apply to all Emergency Operations personnel. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: MSA 5200 TIC Manual Attachment B: Bullard NXT TIC Manual PROCEDURE: These guidelines provide a basic framework for most incidents. 1. General a. Our eyes work by seeing contrast between objects that are illuminated by either the sun or another form of light. b. A Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) works by “seeing” heat energy from objects. c. Because TICs detect heat rather than reflected light, TIC images look very different than what’s seen by the eye. d. Typically, the hotter an object is compared to its surroundings, the whiter it appears. The reverse is also true, the colder an object is compared to its surroundings, the darker it appears. Practice is necessary because due to the surrounding temperatures it may be the reverse. i. A victim or firefighter normally shall show as a whiter object in a normal temperature room, due to them being the hottest object in that room. ii. A victim or firefighter lying on the floor of a structure that is on fire, it is possible that the surroundings shall now be the hottest object, making the victim or firefighter appear dark. iii. The SCBA bottle is the most prominent feature of a firefighter when viewed through a TIC. SOG 410-03 Thermal Imaging Cameras Page 1 of 3  2. Safety a. The Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) provides an additional level of safety for firefighters during emergency incidents (i.e., Structure fires, Wildland fires, Vehicle Accidents, Power-line Incidents) and training evolutions. b. TICs are assigned to every Engine, Aerial, and most Rescues to provide availability throughout the county. In addition, they are located on each EMS Captain and Battalion Chief vehicle. c. Company Officers and Chief Officers in custody of the TIC are responsible for checking it daily, per manufacturer instructions. d. In order to maintain a proficient competency and working knowledge of TICs, personnel should be properly trained in the safe and effective use, and limitations of them. e. Operators of a TIC shall continue to follow all other Standard Operating Guidelines. f. TICs are not regarded as intrinsically safe. Caution should be used in suspected combustible gas environments. g. Movement of a TIC must be slow and deliberate to distinguish objects. 3. Fires a. During a 360-degree size up, the TIC may be used to detect the location and extension of the fire. b. A Thermal Imaging Camera should be used to direct Search and Rescue and Fire Attack. c. Search and Rescue i. Use of the TIC reduces the time it takes to conduct search and rescue thereby increasing survivability. ii. The TIC may be used to see through smoke to aide in locating: 1. Victims, including children 2. The position of firefighters iii. Continuous practice using standard search and rescue procedures along with a TIC is a very important part of proper usage. The TIC operator must always remember a TIC can fail and must not at any time rely solely on it. d. Fire Attack i. The TIC may be used upon entry into a structure to check if there is fire overhead. Conventional methods require the firefighter to stop and pull ceilings at the door before advancing. Using the TIC should increase the speed of Fire Attack. ii. The TIC may be used to observe convection heat waves, which shall assist in rapidly locating the fire. e. Overhaul i. The TIC may be used to find fires in concealed spaces, such as behind walls. This may help prevent firefighters from making several “inspection” holes to find the fire. Instead they can scan the area with the TIC and pinpoint the exact area of involvement. ii. The TIC may be used to see remaining hot spots. SOG 410-03 Thermal Imaging Cameras Page 2 of 3  4. Hazardous Materials a. The TIC may be used to scan containers or cylinders to identify the temperature and level of liquid. This information is critical in operational strategies. b. The TIC may be used to see liquids floating on water from spills, when invisible to the normal eye. 5. Vehicle Accidents a. The TIC may be used to scan high dense vegetation around a vehicle accident to ensure no victims were ejected. The TIC can see through high dense vegetation. b. The TIC may be used to quickly survey a vehicle accident to identify live power. 6. Limitations a. The TIC can NOT see through energy efficient material or a windowless building, as very little temperature differential exists. b. The TIC can NOT see through objects or under water. A TIC can show when heat has conducted through the object. A TIC only shows what is in the line of site. c. The TIC can NOT see through windows. A TIC can NOT see through a piece of glass. d. When viewing highly reflective materials (i.e., stainless steel, mirrors, windows, tile, marble, etc…) the TIC image shown can be a reflection of an object. Be aware of the possible reflection and traveling in the wrong direction. Supersession History 1. SOG #1530, issued 04/01/2005 2. SOG #1530, issued 10/01/2012 3. SOG 410-04, clerical 05/01/2018 4. SOG 410-04, issued 05/21/2018 5. SOG 410-04, clerical 06/15/2018 SOG 410-03 Thermal Imaging Cameras Page 3 of 3