SUMMARY
Firefighters sometimes have to face extreme temperatures while on the job. Luckily, they can rely on thermal imaging cameras (TIC) to find victims faster or to seek their way out of a building in such circumstances. In an attempt to choose equipment with the best specifications, firefighters sometimes go for cameras that are able to display very high temperature ranges, up to +1,100°C (+2,000ºF), in a so-called third-gain mode. This is not a good idea. In fact, there are very good reasons why some thermal imaging cameras do not have a third gain mode, and only measure up to +650°C (+1,202ºF)
THE CHALLENGE
Visibility is a chief concern for maintaining firefighter safety, whether you’re in the thick of fighting a fire or coordinating resources as the incident commander. Thanks to FLIR’s lineup of cost-effective handhelds, feature-rich advanced cameras, and mounted and UAS aerial options, fire departments can now afford to outfit more firefighters with TICs and monitor all angles of the scene. This is about more than seeing through a smoke-filled room: by viewing the entire scene from multiple viewpoints, incident commanders can make better decisions when directing resources. And, since FLIR TICs clearly visualize heat sources, they’re an important tool for hazmat and search and rescue operations.
RESULT
All of that plastic in our homes and buildings generates billows of black smoke as it burns, making it too easy for firefighters to lose their way, or each other. FLIR’s handheld TICs help clear the way and can even enhance the view with ultra-sharp detail for easier orientation. Fire scenes aren’t pretty, they aren’t safe, and they aren’t easy on equipment. FLIR designed its line of TICs to withstand the toughest firefighting conditions, whether it’s a two-meter drop, heavy water spray, or blazing-hot temperatures.
Learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUpIlulqDWo – FLIR’s Thermal imaging cameras used for different applications
