Thermal eye candy
Published: 01 April, 2006
Thermal imaging cameras (TICs) are more popular than ever within the emergency response community. However, choosing the right camera might be trickier than expected, as there are no guidelines for TICs yet. Ann-Marie Knegt casts some light over this situation.
Currently there are no performance guidelines for emergency response thermal imaging cameras. The use of these devices varies depending on the geographical and demographic nature of the fire service’s area of operation. In the mountains TICs might be used to locate people who are lost in the wild. In coastal areas they are often used to find persons lost at sea. In general, the cameras speed up the process of finding people in burning structures, which increases firefighter safety and diminishes fatalities. Other uses include identifying the seat of a fire and potential hotspots after fire has been extinguished.
Firefighter applications only represent 10% of the US$1.2 billion (¤9.3404 million) worldwide market for infrared cameras, but the influence of these devices for emergency responders is major, report researchers from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In December 2005 they submitted recommendations to the NFPA which outline evaluation methods for TICs in six different emergency response situations. NIST’s recommendations included tests to assess differential resolution, thermal exposure, performance during suppression, ease of use etc. They also reviewed remote transmission of images. Francine Arnon is leader of the NIST team: “Right now, fire manufacturers’ literature, personal experience, word-of-mouth recommendations are all that fire departments have to base their decisions on. Standardised performance metrics and test methods should improve the selection process for these potential lifesavers which may cost an average of US$10,000 (¤ 7,8048). They should also encourage technological innovation for the first responder community,” she reported.
MSA’s Evolution 5200:
The NFPA has started work on Electronic Standards for the Fire Service. TIC manufacturer MSA is currently applying NFPA and International Standards on the TICs it manufactures. They are designed and produced in anticipation of this upcoming NFPA Standard. Eric Buzard, Product Line Manager, MSA Thermal Imaging, explains that thermal imaging cameras need to withstand the rigours of firefighting inside structural fires as well as during day-to-day activities. To ensure that its TICs will perform well, MSA established Metrology labs in its manufacturing facility in Cranberry, Pennsylvania. “Here our Evolution line gets bounced, dunked, drenched and powdered,’ Eric comments. The latest product in this range is the Evolution 5200 Fire Service Thermal imaging Camera, which boasts a high sense temperature range as well as the highest low sensitivity. This is an important improvement, explains Eric. “Most TICs generate thermal images in either High Sense or Low Sense modes, depending on the temperature of the scene.High Sense delivers the best image quality - but has a limited temperatures range.
Low sense mode trades image quality for a wider temperature range to the TIC working in high heat.”
Additionally, this camera boasts a Heat Seeker Plus facility in High Sense Mode - this means that green temperature symbols on the display indicate the beginning and direction of the fire. Shaded colourings point out changing temperature levels.
“TIC operation is a growing concern within the fire service,” Eric says. “The tools are becoming ever more versatile and useful. That is why MSA developed the new Evolution 5200 with the consistency of training built in. Fit, form and function are the same; symbols and warnings are the same; colour indicators are the same as its predecessor, the Evolution 5000. This simplifies training for both existing Evolution 5000 Departments and in Mutual Aid Situations,” he concludes.
The Argus 4:
“Our new Argus 4 is designed with several of the suggested parameters for the upcoming NFPA standard. However, I do believe that it will take some time before this standard will be actually published,” explains Andre Goodson, Fire Business Sector Manager at e2v technologies.
The UK-based company recently launched a brand new TIC at the FDIC in Indianapolis. Andre describes the new product as ‘an accomplished piece of technology, which is packed with even more features than its predecessor, the Argus3 - the first camera to offer image capture’.
Argus4 comes with x2 zoom, 16 colour settings and is capable of taking up to a 100 pictures. The camera is tiny, it is 13.5 cm small and weighs only 1kg; this is half the weight of its older sister.
“After the global success of the Argus3 thermal imaging camera, e2v was determined to introduce a new camera which met firefighters’ demands for a small, light camera which is still full of features. Prior to the Argus4, all the cameras on the market were either large but full of features, or small but basic. Argus4 bridges the gap between size and functionality and set a new gold standard in the field of thermal imaging cameras,” he continues.
The new camera utilises a Microbolometer sensor, matched with electronics designed and manufactured by e2v, which ensures that quality and durability are built in. Additionally, the Argus4 boasts an infrared remote control and PC software, allowing end-users to configure the camera to their specific needs. Once a firefighter’s settings have been chosen, including the option of pre-setting colours, simple button operation allows the user to switch the camera on and off, take pictures and activate the digital zoom facility.
Direct (spot) and ambient temperature measurement are also standard features on the Argus4, allowing for accurate assessment of site temperatures and identification of specific danger points.
The Argus4 casing is made from high-quality Radel R-5100, chosen for its strength, resistance to heat, water and impact. The camera is sealed to IP67, to withstand driving spray and shortterm immersion in water to a depth of one
metre.
The device has been designed to withstand a 1m drop test and to tolerate high temperatures and comes with a removable handle on the underside of the main unit as well as adjustable straps on either of the camera body to enable the firefighter to hold the camera without the handle.
The GB SOLO TIC:
The UK-based manufacturer GB SOLO LTD provides fire helmets with CE Category III PPEapproved safety features. The range includes the Sentry 4, the SOLOunifit and SOLOtic - offering total head protection, respiratory protection, twoway radio communications and integrated thermal imaging options.
“Combining helmet, facemask, neck skirt, air supply, communications system and thermal imaging with Virtual Reality Viewing Optics, the SOLOtic is a complete safety system,” GB Solo’s James Brooks explains. “A firefighter can don his head protection, his communications, his BA mask and his Thermal Imaging equipment in one 20-second operation, getting him in action faster! There is no need to wear a Nomex hood - this is all built-in too.”
A major advantage of having the camera and viewer built into the helmet is that the wearer has an ‘analogue’ view, he says. When a firefighter turns to face an object he can more easily judge its position, as he could if viewing it directly. When walking, he can more accurately judge his direction of movement than if he was using a handheld camera. This enables him to operate with a much greater degree of safety.
The SOLO helmets provide the wearer with total head protection and positive pressure respiratory protection. The helmet’s communications system is operated by a helmet-mounted press-to-talk transmission switch. Communications are further enhanced by the fact that the acoustic properties of the helmet isolate the wearer from ambient sounds (engine room noise, etc.), enabling him to hear and be heard more clearly via his comms set.
E2V’s Argus 4 is only half the size of its predecessor, the Argus3.
