For those of you who have been in the fire service for more than 15 years, like I have, you most likely remember a time when a thermal imaging camera (TIC) was considered a luxury tool.

Many fire departments couldn’t afford the technology, and those that could purchase a TIC didn’t fully understand how to effectively use the tool. Today, the use of thermal imaging technology is readily accepted in the fire service as a lifesaving tool that protects firefighters from unseen dangers. I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my TIC knowledge with you each month by exploring a variety of TIC topics from firefighter disorientation to search and rescue to overhaul and much more. Together, we will explore the benefits a TIC can bring to a firefighting crew at the fire scene.

My responsibility as a trainer is to arm firefighters with an in-depth understanding of thermal imaging technology and its benefits to the fire service. My training is designed to teach firefighters how to interpret what this life-saving tool is telling them so they stay safe at a fire scene. I encourage you to share with me your experiences using a TIC and any questions you have about this technology. The more we share with each other our experiences using this technology, the safer we will be when responding to a call.

BASIC TERMS

Let’s go back to the basics of thermal imaging and examine infrared (IR) energy and solar loading. Emissivity (E) is a measure of a material’s ability to absorb and emit IR energy. Conversely, reflectance (R) is a measure of a material’s ability to reflect IR energy. Good reflectors are not good emitters and vice versa. Good reflectors appear to be the same temperature as their surroundings.

Emissivity and reflectance values range from zero to one, but in general, we only refer to a material’s emissivity value. High emissivity values (i.e., close to 1) indicate that a material emits IR much more than it reflects it. (See box for some examples.) Railroad tracks, for example (photo 1), that are active will have a low emissivity value as they would be shiny and therefore not retain much heat from the sun.

MATERIAL	EMISSIVITY
Brick, red rough	.093
Read more 316 0 Article rating: No rating Back to Basics TIC Terms Posted: Nov 2, 2018 Back to Basics TIC Terms   Manfred Kihn   For those of you who have been in the fire service for more than 15 years, like I have, you most likely remember a time when a thermal imaging camera (TIC) was considered a luxury tool. Many fire departments couldn’t afford the technology, and those that could purchase a TIC didn’t fully understand how to effectively use the tool. Today, the use of thermal imaging technology is readily accepted in the fire service as a lifesaving tool that protects firefighters from unseen dangers. I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my TIC knowledge with you each month by exploring a variety of TIC topics from firefighter disorientation to search and rescue to overhaul and much more. Together, we will explore the benefits a TIC can bring to a firefighting crew at the fire scene. My responsibility as a trainer is to arm firefighters with an in-depth understanding of thermal imaging technology and its benefits to the fire service. My training is designed to teach firefighters how to interpret what this life-saving tool is telling them so they stay safe at a fire scene. I encourage you to share with me your experiences using a TIC and any questions you have about this technology. The more we share with each other our experiences using this technology, the safer we will be when responding to a call. 1 Photos courtesy of Bullard. BASIC TERMS Let’s go back to the basics of thermal imaging and examine infrared (IR) energy and solar loading. Emissivity (E) is a measure of a material’s ability to absorb and emit IR energy. Conversely, reflectance (R) is a measure of a material’s ability to reflect IR energy. Good reflectors are not good emitters and vice versa. Good reflectors appear to be the same temperature as their surroundings. Emissivity and reflectance values range from zero to one, but in general, we only refer to a material’s emissivity value. High emissivity values (i.e., close to 1) indicate that a material emits IR much more than it reflects it. (See box for some examples.) Railroad tracks, for example (photo 1), that are active will have a low emissivity value as they would be shiny and therefore not retain much heat from the sun. MATERIAL EMISSIVITY Brick, red rough .093 Read more 249 0 Article rating: No rating RSS FirstPrevious2067206820692070207120722073207420752076NextLast Theme picker Section Quick Links   Fire Mechanics Documents EVT Discussion Forum Fire Mechanic Photo Gallery Training & Testing 2019 Scholarship Logo Wear Store Upcoming Events Theme picker Sponsors Fire Mechanics Section Board Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Chair Elliot Courage North Whatcom Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Vice Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Vice Chair Mike Smith  Pierce County Fire District #5 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Secretary Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Secretary Greg Bach South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #1 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #1 Doug Jones South Kitsap Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #2 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #2 Paul Spencer  Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #3 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #3 Jim Morris Mountain View Fire Department Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #4 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #4 Arnie Kuchta Clark County Fire District 6 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #6 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #6 Brett Annear Kitsap County Fire District 18 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #5 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #5 Jay Jacks Camano Island Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Legislative Representative Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Legislative Representative TBD TBD Read more 3208 0 Article rating: No rating Immediate Past Chair Posted: Oct 20, 2015 Immediate Past Chair Brian Fortner Graham Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating RSS Theme picker 2020 CAR SHOW Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement - Copyright 2024 by Washington Fire Chiefs Home Members About Us News Calendar Resources Documents Sections County Fire Chiefs FRWC WSAFM