Evaluation of Thermal Imaging Camera Spot Temperature Measurements in Structure Fires

Abstract

Fire service thermal imaging cameras (TICs) are utilized to provide an image of the environment when visibility is limited or impaired by absorbing infrared radiation (IR) emitted from solid objects within its field of view (FOV). This image is often accompanied by a temperature output that may mislead firefighters who do not have proper training of the limitations associated with such quantitative measurements.

An evaluation of TIC spot temperature measurements was conducted to determine the TIC’s ability to quantify thermal hazards within an ambient and smoke-filled fire environment. During ambient conditions spot temperature measurements are a function of focal length. During fire experiments participating media (i.e., smoke) impact the IR received by TICs therefore affecting the temperature outputs. This research explores the impact of participating media on solid object temperature measurements from fire service TICs.