Florida Supplement B
Learning Objective
B.1 Describe the operating principle and limitations
of thermal-imaging cameras (TICs).
 B.2 List the advantages and disadvantages of using
TICs.
 B.3 Define intrinsically safe and explain its
application with reference to TICs.
 B.4 Use a TIC to identify hotspots.
 B.5 Use a TIC as a member of a team in a simulated
smoke and fire condition.
 B.6 Take action to maintain team safety as either
operator or team leader, given simulated smoke and
fire conditions and a TIC failure.
 B.7 Conduct a service check and perform
maintenance of a TIC.

 Thermal
imaging cameras (TICs) have
gained acceptance gradually just like many
other new products in the fire service. While
the acquisition of TICs by a department can
be a costly endeavor, their numerous uses
make the devices some of the most versatile
tools a firefighter can use. Unfortunately,
many TICs are left on the apparatus during a
fire. The capabilities of TICs greatly increase
the effectiveness of firefighters, making
their acceptance and use critical.
 The
concept of thermal imaging is traced
back to the 1800s and British astronomer
Sir William Hershel. Hershel discovered
that colors below the color red in the
visible spectrum are invisible to the
naked eye without the use of a prism.
These calorific rays, now known as
infrared rays, are the basis for today’s TIC
technology.
 All
objects emit energy in the infrared
spectrum. The hotter the object, the greater
the energy release. Rays of energy exist in a
spectrum. From low to high, these rays
include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Radio waves
Infrared waves
Visible light waves (red, yellow, blue, and purple)
Ultraviolet waves
X-rays
Gamma rays


As with many technical advances, thermal imaging
technology was developed for military use. The
technology, originally known as FLIR (forward looking
infrared), was used in the Falklands War of 1982 by
British soldiers to observe movements of enemy
troops. This technology was soon added to military
aircraft and widely used in the first Gulf War.
Military personnel found that use of the thermal
imaging technology gave them the advantage of
sight in otherwise zero-visibility conditions. The
technology also allowed personnel to detect targets
from the landscape by their heat signatures.
 The
application of thermal imaging
technology following the Falkland War has
expanded in the following progression:
• Mid 1980s — Adoption by European fire organizations
• Late 1980s — Adoption by the Fire Department of New
York (FDNY) in 1988
• Mid 1990s — Adoption and acquisition by other fire
departments in the U.S.
• Today — Widespread acquisition in the U.S. with
infrequent application

Functions
TICs work by dispersing infrared rays and then
interpreting what is found at the infrared level in a
format that can be easily seen. In low-visibility
environments, visible light is blocked by particles such
as smoke, fog, and steam. The infrared rays emitted by
the TIC go between these particles and determine the
relative temperature of objects in relation to their
surroundings. As a result, personnel using TICs have a
readily available view of the area based on the heat
emitted by objects.

The majority of TIC units are handheld. New technology, however, allows
for the production of increasingly smaller units. This newer technology
allows TIC units to be directly mounted to firefighters’ helmets and affords
personnel the ability to operate with their hands free. TICs vary
depending on several factors such as the following:
• Resolution or pixel count — Resolutions are typically 160 by 120 at the
low end and 320 by 240 at the high end.
• Hertz speed — Signal frequency; the higher the speed the better.
• Electronic iris — Operation is similar to a camera lens; an automatic iris
is preferred.
• Dynamic range — Range of temperature between the ambient
temperature and the highest temperature identified; the wider the range
the better.
• Temperature — Maximum temperature identified on a display. Some
units identify temperatures up to 300°F, while others identify temperatures
at 1,000°F or more.
• Color — Some have black and white displays. Others display various
colors depending on the temperature.

TIC displays use either LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology. The
display of a TIC is typically the single largest power
draw of the device. Portable TICs use batteries to
provide power to the device. Traditionally, these units
have used rechargeable NiCad battery packs, but there
has been a more recent trend towards using standard
alkaline batteries.
 People
are often confused of the difference
between thermal imaging and image
intensifying (better known as night vision)
technology. Image intensifiers or night vision
goggles take the available visible light and
greatly amplify it in order to allow for vision
in low-light environments. While people
using this technology are able to see in lowlight environments, the displays do not
indicate relative or specific heat.
TIC
NVC
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Limitations
 Just like any other firefighting tool, TICs have
advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, which
are listed as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Advantages — TICs:
Are not affected by weather
Allow firefighters to see in zero-visibility
Quickly identify heat sources, especially in overhaul
Facilitate victim identification faster during search
and rescue operations
Improve the survivability of interior operations
Contribute to the reduction of both firefighter and
civilian deaths
•
•
•
•
•
Disadvantages — TICs:
Will not penetrate glass, however heated glass typically
appears lighter in color
Will not typically penetrate water; some penetration may
occur in a fog or mist
May or may not penetrate steam depending on its density
Will display reflections from surfaces such as glass, water,
mirrors, and other shiny surfaces
Present a two-dimensional image, which means that depthperception skills must be developed
Limitations — TICs:
• Are expensive and may be cost prohibitive for some
departments
• Have the potential to fail just like any tool
• Are not beneficial unless used

Perhaps the largest limitation of TIC units is the
perception and bias of firefighters. Departments that
have adopted and widely use TICs find the units are
valuable for size-up, search and rescue, fire
suppression, ventilation, overhaul, the location of
accident victims, the location of hazardous materials,
the location of overheated electrical equipment, and
many more. New capabilities of TICs are constantly
being discovered and implemented.

Future
The future of TIC use in the fire service is very
promising. Many more departments are requiring a TIC
unit on every apparatus. Some progressive
departments have gone a step further and outfitted
every firefighter in their department with TIC units that
are integrated into the helmet. While cost is a factor for
TIC purchase, departments can expect that the cost of
these units will decrease with time. Given the multiple
uses of TICs, these units are a sound investment.
 The
End.
 Any
Questions?
 Practical Time.