Thermal Imaging Application Overview
Thermal Imaging
All objects have a certain temperature and emit waves of energy called infrared radiation. Hot objects emit more energy than cold objects. A thermal imager translates these energy waves into a viewable image, which shows a “heat picture” of a scene. On the screen of a thermal imager, hotter objects show as white, cooler objects show as black, and objects in between these temperatures are displayed in shades of gray. Because infrared radiation is not blocked by smoke, firefighters can use thermal imagers to see through smoke, enabling them to find victims faster, identify the seat of the fire earlier, and detect structural dangers that could put them at risk.
While the primary advantage of thermal imagers is evident in structure fires, this technology can help at any emergency incident in which normal visibility is reduced. Following are brief notes and graphics that describe how thermal imagers are used for several emergency service applications. For actual stories from the field, visit the Newsletter section of www.thermalimager.com
Size-Up
The thermal imager can give firefighters important information early
at an incident during sizeup, which can help them develop a better
plan for mitigation. At a structure fire, the thermal imager may
help identify the location of the fire or the extent of fire involvement
prior to firefighters being committed into the structure. At non-fire
incidents, thermal imagers can help verify the number of victims
at a vehicle collision.
This image shows extensive fire and heat already well-developed in
the ceiling space, as well as in the right side of the building.
This helps firefighters deploy resources safely and appropriately.
Fire Attack
Just as in size-up, thermal imagers provide information to the fire attack crew that they did not previously have due to poor visibility and building construction. Using this information, firefighters can immediately direct water to the seat of the fire and ensure that their hose streams are working effectively. A thermal imager can also help firefighters locate and isolate hidden fires, such as electrical fires behind walls.
This image shows how a fire can spread behind a wall and race up
to the attic. Without a thermal imager, firefighters may not find
this fire until it spreads into the attic and breaks out as a raging
fire. Finding the fire earlier helps reduce property loss and damage.
Search & Rescue
Of all the operations in which thermal imaging can improve a firefighter's
efforts, this technology has the most dramatic impact on search
and rescue. Without a thermal imager, firefighters search burning
buildings by crawling on their hands and knees and groping their
way through blinding smoke to find unconscious victims. Recovery
rates in these operations are low, since firefighters are forced
to rely on physical contact alone to locate victims. Firefighters
using thermal imagers can see the scene, which enables them to
quickly navigate and identify victims. In addition to allowing
firefighters to see through smoke in burning structures, thermal
imagers enable first responders to see in the dark to find victims
who are lost or in danger. Police departments can also use these
devices to search for fugitives.
A person lost in the woods or ejected from a motor vehicle can be
difficult to locate at night. However, this image shows that the
person’s body heat is quickly detected by the thermal imager, guiding
rescuers promptly to the proper location.
Ventilation
Firefighters can use thermal imagers to identify areas of heat accumulation,
possible ventilation points, and significant building construction
features. This helps ensure proper and effective ventilation that
successfully removes smoke and heat from a building. Ventilation
reduces the chances of backdraft or flashover, while possibly giving
trapped victims a few more valuable seconds to be found. Identification
of superheated gases also helps keep firefighters safer.
This image shows the superheated gases (white cloud) being ventilated
from a room prior to firefighters making entry. In certain situations,
firefighters might actually trace the heated gases back to help them
find the source of the fire.
Overhaul
After the fire is out, firefighters overhaul a structure to ensure
that there are no hidden fires or smoldering materials that could
cause the fire to reignite. When using a thermal imager for overhaul,
firefighters methodically scan each room for remaining hot spots.
When firefighters find these hot spots quickly and efficiently,
they minimize the risk of a rekindle, and they reduce property
damage. Structural components can be identified easily with a thermal
imager, helping firefighters remain safe while fighting fires in
compromised structures.
This image shows several hotspots that remain in the ceiling space
after the majority of the fire has been knocked down. These will
have to be cooled by firefighters prior to departure. The structural
integrity is compromised, yet it can be monitored by firefighters
for safety purposes, even when steam and smoke still obscure normal
eyesight.
EMS/MCI
For many fire departments, up to 85% of their emergency runs can
be emergency medical service runs. Thermal imagers can help at
these, too. Thermal imagers can help locate victims, help evaluate
the extent of hypothermia, or even help find amputated body parts.
This image simulates how two amputated fingers might appear in machinery.
The metal machinery is relatively cool compared to the heat sources
of the “fingers.” Rapid discovery of amputations greatly improves
the success rate for re-attachment surgery.
Hazardous Materials
Thermal imaging helps fire officials manage hazardous spills and
other hazmat incidents more effectively. Firefighters can use thermal
imagers to identify sources and movement of contaminants in bodies
of water and on the ground. With the aid of the technology, firefighters
can also determine product levels in sealed or pressurized containers.
This image shows how a thermal imager can identify product levels,
the relative temperature of the product inside the container, and
even the presence of baffles inside the tanker. All of this can be
valuable information to a firefighter planning to control and abate
a hazmat scene.