Maintenance Checklist

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Maintenance Checklist
Get The Picture Newsletter, April 2004
by Jonathan Bastian

Maintenance Checklist

If you are like most Bullard Thermal Imager users, one of the key reasons you chose Bullard is because of the durability of our products. Our products have earned the moniker “Bullard Tough” by consistently standing up to the daily rigors of firefighting. But like your turnout gear, hose and even your pumper, durability and reliability depend on some level of care and maintenance by you, the firefighter. Proper maintenance will help ensure your Bullard TI will function when you need it.

First and foremost, your maintenance procedures and system must be standardized. If each shift or each station handles procedures differently, confusion will likely reign supreme over the issue. Document and clarify the expectations of company officers, firefighters using the imagers, and your TI “experts.” If the responsibilities are not clear and concise, they will be neglected as each member assumes someone else has taken the appropriate actions.

Maintenance should focus on addressing three key facts:

Dead batteries do not operate a TI
Water and electronics do not like each other
Gunk blocks visibility

By keeping the batteries charged, keeping water out of key areas and cleaning critical components, you can help ensure your TI will last and operate for years. The maintenance checklist below is based on generic timelines; each FD will have to evaluate for itself the exact timing of maintenance tasks. A rural department that runs three or four times a month may limit some checks to its biweekly meetings, rather than doing them on a weekly basis. A very busy urban fire company might have to complete more extensive checks and maintenance after each shift. As you look through this list, consider how ignoring the suggestions might affect the batteries, the electronics or the visibility of the image. Then evaluate that risk in comparison to your activity level to determine the frequency necessary in your department. In the list, the term “large TIs” refers to the Bullard TI, TIx, MX and TI Commander models.

Maintenance Checklist

Daily or After Each Use:

Insert a fully charged battery; the LED on the charger will be green when batteries are fully charged.
Place the previous battery into the charger; the LED should turn red to indicate the battery is charging.
Watch the LEDs on the battery chargers to verify that they are functioning properly.
For large TIs, verify a solid “click” when closing thumb latches on battery door. If you do not hear the solid “click,” use a screwdriver to tighten the latches to the point where they “click” solidly, yet are still movable.
For large TIs, verify the presence of all three rubber bumpers. The rubber bumpers are integral to the protection of your TI.
Using a damp cloth, clean off large pieces of debris. Pay special attention to the lens, the area around the buttons and the display cover. Do not immerse your TI in water.

Weekly:

Clean the lens with a soft cloth and mild cleaner. While it is a durable lens, it is still a lens: be gentle.
Clean the LCD display cover with a soft cloth and mild cleaner. Scratches are inevitable, especially as firefighters use their gloves to remove condensation.
Verify that all the hand straps are in usable condition and properly secured.
For a TI, TIx or TI Commander, turn the Thermal Throttle to open and close it. Watch the image to ensure that it is functioning properly.
Check for cracks, holes or other damage to the imager’s outer shell. Holes in the shell allow water to reach the electronics.
Verify the batteries, battery contacts and battery compartment (for large TIs) do not show physical signs of damage. Be sure to inspect for signs of rust, which indicates water has infiltrated.

Monthly:

Tighten all external screws (except those filled to prevent tampering), including those holding on straps, those connecting the LCD display cover and those connecting any bumpers. If you over-tighten the screws, you can cause other problems.
Cycle, or “exercise,” each battery fully. You can use a battery conditioner/analyzer if you wish. Alternatively, you can place a fully charged battery into the imager, activate the imager, then let it operate until all the lights are dim. Then recharge the battery; do not start draining your other battery until the first one is fully charged.
Using a damp cloth and mild cleaner, clean the outer shell of the unit. Do not immerse the imager under water.
Verify that the battery contacts in the TI, the battery chargers and the batteries themselves are all corrosion-free.
If you have a wireless transmitter on your imager, verify that the transmitter and receiver are functioning properly and that all receiver cables are in good condition.

Some maintenance procedures will be determined by the amount of use your imager sees. While this is a guideline, do not let it replace common sense. If you notice a decrease in product performance or usability, do not wait for the recommended interval. Replace the part.

Every 8 to 24 months, replace the LCD display cover.
Every 12 to 36 months, return the unit to Bullard for the Preventive Maintenance service.
Every 18 to 36 months, replace the rechargeable batteries.

The PM program is relatively new for Bullard. This program allows a fire department to return the imager to “like new” condition. Especially for heavy users, the PM program can restore the water resistant integrity of the outer shell to help prevent water from intruding into the electronics. In short, the PM program allows you to catch small problems before they become big problems.

Take note that rechargeable batteries have a service life. It is very important that you replace these batteries on a schedule. Regular exercise will extend the life of the battery, but eventually it will need to be replaced. Be proactive and establish a plan for replacement. Based on your FD’s activity level, determine roughly how long a battery should last. Add that time to the date you placed the battery in service, and write the future month and year on the battery. As part of your regular equipment checks, members can check the “expiration date.” The month before expiration, contact your Bullard TI distributor to order the new battery. For example, a moderately busy fire department purchased a TI Commander in March 2004. The department determines an 18-month replacement schedule is appropriate for them, and therefore writes “Sept 05” on it. In August 2005, the department will contact its Bullard distributor to order the replacement battery. This approach is simple, obvious and part of a system, which makes it unlikely to “fall through the cracks.”

When it comes to care and maintenance, a thermal imager is not much different from a vehicle. You can ignore the simple things over time and pay for them several times over when there is a major failure. A few minutes, and few dollars, spent over time will help your department avoid large future expenses. For your TI to help you in a fire, you need to help it in the firehouse. Give your TI a little regular care to keep batteries charged, prevent water from mixing with the electronics and remove gunk from key components.

Stay safe.

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