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Procedia Engineering 172 (2017) 1067 – 1072

Modern Building Materials, Structures and Techniques, MBMST 2016

Development of the Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) Technology

A. Szajewska*
The Faculty of Fire Safety Engineering,The Main School of Fire Service, 52/54 Slowackiego Str, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland

Abstract

The article presents the history of the development of Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) in fire protection. It also includes the
advantages of such cameras and how to use them. Manufacturers have developed cameras adapted to the needs of fire service units.
Such cameras are easy to operate and suitable for harsh fire conditions. The cameras are usually used during extinguishing fires in
buildings. They are useful primarily to assess the fire situation, detect the sources of ignition and search for fire victims.

©©2017
2016TheTheAuthors. Published
Authors. by Elsevier
Published Ltd. This
by Elsevier Ltd.is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of MBMST 2016.
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of MBMST 2016
Keywords: fireman, firefighting, temperature, thermal camera.

1. Introduction

Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) is a device that supports putting out fires. Firefighters appreciate such devices and
their usage constantly increases. TIC facilitates the work, increases the safety of rescuers, contributes to the rapid and
efficient conduct of the action, can reduce the consumption of extinguishing agents and reduces fire losses [1–7]. TIC
is most commonly used for fighting fires in buildings. It is also used in other activities, such as combating the effects
of natural disasters and catastrophes, searching for missing persons, carrying out the evacuation of people and animals
in the darkness, smoke and fog. TIC is also a part of the equipment of robots designed for rescue actions in smoky
and foggy conditions [8]. TIC may be used to measure IR radiation emitted during a vegetation fire [9]. In Poland,
most of the fire and rescue units are equipped with TIC [10–14].

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +48 22 56 17 513.

E-mail address: aszajewska@sgsp.edu.pl

1877-7058 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of MBMST 2016
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2017.02.164
1068 A. Szajewska / Procedia Engineering 172 (2017) 1067 – 1072

2. The history of TIC

TIC beginnings date back to 1947, when the first infrared scanner was launched. At that time it took one hour to
create a single thermogram. The army became interested in the new technology as they noted a vast range of possible
applications in military technology and allocated substantial resources for researches. This led to the rapid
development of infrared technology. Currently, each unit of a modern army is equipped with a thermal imaging device.
Any civilian usage was only a derivative of any military applications. Civilian usage was limited due to not sharing
semiconductor detector arrays of the highest resolution, or requiring a license from the civil users. These actions were
taken to prevent the terrorists from getting access to optoelectronic circuits that can be used for missile guidance.
Nowadays matrices containing 1000x1000 point photoelectric detectors are available for civilian usage.
British Navy was the first to apply the detection of infrared radiation to fight fires on ships. This happened in the
70s of the XX century. Then they began to be used in the USA. The new technology was very expensive, which limited
its application to civil engineering. A special barrier was the cost of the detector which required cooling. At the end of
the 90s TIC were equipped with detectors based on the Barium Strontium Titanate technology. They did not require
cooling, which simplified their design and reduced their costs to the level acceptable for a large part of the civil fire
service. Despite the changes they were still considered expensive as they cost about $ 20,000. For that reason the
cameras were usually kept in the commander’s car, not in the emergency department. Portable cameras were bulky
and weighed about 3.5 kg. To reduce their weight, their batteries were sometimes placed in a separate bag attached to
a rescuer’s harness. A fireman going into a fire has a lot of additional equipment and tools, so they used to leave the
TIC. Especially that the camera was expensive it should have been taken care of. These imperfections did not
discourage firefighters. The opportunities that TIC offered were very promising. Firefighters quickly accepted TIC.
Research institutions and production companies have been working on improving the technology . New types of
uncooled detectors with high temperature and spatial resolution have been developed. And matrix bolometer detectors
proved to be particularly useful. More efficient batteries have been used. Cameras have become light, handy and they
can operate for several hours without battery replacement. TIC cost has been reduced by about 80%. Currently, each
rescue and firefighting unit can afford a TIC.

3. The colorization function

Thermal imaging cameras that are currently produced for the needs of fire departments are handy and easy to use.
They can be operated by a fireman wearing a glove, by pressing 2 or 3 keys. They weigh about 1kg. These are
observation cameras with a built-in infrared pyrometer which measures the temperature of the viewing area at one
point.
Fig. 1 presents photographs of cameras from different manufacturers which supply rescue and firefighting units in
Poland.

Fig. 1. Photographs of infrared cameras from different manufacturers which supply rescue and firefighting units in Poland.
 A. Szajewska / Procedia Engineering 172 (2017) 1067 – 1072 1069

Pyrometers were used in the early development of using the infrared technology to detect the hidden sources of
fire. This was due to very high prices of the TIC cameras. Pyrometers were much cheaper. They cost about $ 1,000
and they could replace the infrared cameras in some actions. Pyrometers had built-in signaling systems. Exceeding
the threshold temperature triggered a sound and light signal. In the latest TIC cameras are equipped with a different
and better way of signaling the fact of exceeding a threshold temperature. There is a colorization function installed.
Now the entire surface area of the temperature exceeding the threshold value is displayed in bright color (Fig. 2) [9,
10].

Fig. 2. The thermal image on the TIC screen. The most heated wall surfaces are marked in red.

The colorization function is very useful for firefighters. The positions of the object heated to a temperature
exceeding the threshold temperature is indicated by a bright color, so they are easy to see even in very difficult
conditions. With the colorization function the observation can be carried out by a cheap camera with low resolution.
Bright color clearly shows hot spots dangerous for the rescuer.
During the action, a firefighter works in a rush and stress. Usually there is no time to stare at the camcorder's display
and search for the hottest spots in a range of shades. Colorization gives the immediate response. Detecting and locating
hot areas and information on their temperature make it easier to assess the fire situation.
Colorization also makes it easier to detect cold spots. You can set the lower threshold temperature and examine the
coldest place. This colorization is useful to look for a gas leak, checking the patency of breathing apparatus, the line
of water and locations of heat elopement etc.

4. Technical parameters of TIC

Cameras designed for firefighting and rescue operations are built on matrices of uncooled bolometric detectors
sizes from 120x120 to about 320x240. Matrices containing 320x240 point detectors provide a sufficiently high
resolution thermal image. Temperature resolution is 0.05°C. Cameras work in the long-term spectral range LW (8-
14μm). This range includes infrared radiation, which is emitted by a man (about 9μm). Therefore they can be
successfully used for locating the victims of fires. The long-term range provides good visibility in heavy smoke
conditions. Attenuation of radiation in the smoke (aerosol) depends on the absorption and scattering. The absorption
depends on the chemical composition of the gas fire, for which we have no influence. Diffusion depends on the ratio
of the effective diameter of the aerosol particles to the radiation wavelength. The diameters of smoke particles typically
have a size of about 0.01 microns to about 1 micron. They are therefore much smaller than the wavelength of the
spectral range camera, and therefore scattering is negligible.
1070 A. Szajewska / Procedia Engineering 172 (2017) 1067 – 1072

TIC are suitable for use in fire conditions. The lenses are made of germanium and secured carbon coatings. Cameras
are placed in enclosures that protect against flooding, shock and brief exposure to high temperatures. Waterproof
housing meet the IP 67 degree of protection.
Described cameras have sufficient sensitivity and protection against damage in harsh fire conditions to meet the
requirements of ordinary tactical units. There is also a demand for thermal imaging cameras with increased
functionality for specialized tasks. Such tasks are performed by units to combat chemical hazards, search and rescue
groups, police units. These users expect higher-resolution cameras, enhanced by the inclusion of an integrated
communications system, laser pointer, visible light camera, large memory recording, etc. Due to the extremely
unfavorable operating environment and the high cost of the device, the camera must be better protected. In the USA,
this type of camera must meet standards for water resistance, and moreover, the US NFPA 1801 on rotating electrical
machines [1].

4. Using the TIC to extinguish fires in buildings

TIC is very helpful in diagnosis, since the efficiency of the action depends on the correct diagnosis. This applies to
all fires, including fires in blocks of flats. Firefighters arrive and they usually find the door closed. Using the camera
enables quick check whether there is any fire behind the door. With the camera firefighters do not have to break all
the doors.
After entering the room, firefighters make an inspection of the walls, ceiling, floor and objects. The heated areas
provide information on the places where the fire develops. Fig. 3 shows a thermal image displayed on the TIC. The
most heated areas are marked in blue. Inspection of the room with a camera makes it easier to assess the fire situation.
Heated space indicates where to find the source of the fire.

Fig. 3. The thermal image on the TIC display.

Observation by a TIC can be carried out in the dark and smoke-filled environment. There are many cases of finding
fire victims in thick smoke and saving their lives [5]. TIC forces some changes in the tactics of searching smoky rooms
[11]. To ensure their safety, firefighters move along the wall of the room. It does not give the possibility of controlling
the temperature of the wall. A firefighter equipped with a camera must move at a specific distance from the wall, stop
every few steps and make inspection of the room. He should first turn the camera into the ceiling, because the threat
of the high temperature is highest at the top. Then, on the left, right, down, forward and move on. These steps should
 A. Szajewska / Procedia Engineering 172 (2017) 1067 – 1072 1071

be repeated every few steps. Even in total smoke the camera allows you to keep orientation. The display shows the
outlines of the room and the objects.
The camera is helpful at locating fire in buildings with a layered construction [10]. Ceilings and walls are filled
with heat-insulating material in the form of sawdust and chips. These elements must be dismantled while searching
for the source of fire. This is the case of houses in the Canadian style. The camera will make it easier to find and locate
the sources of fire and limit the demolition work to a minimum.
It is difficult to locate the fire between floors or walls of the building. It happens that in inaccessible places there
are combustible materials: garbage, polystyrene, fiber board, etc. Because of the difficult access of air they smolder
slowly after ignition, giving off little smoke. It is difficult to detect such fire. During the high altitude fire in Intraco
building in Warsaw, extinguishing a small fire lasted three days. Firefighters could not find its source. Only TIC
enabled them to detect smoldering debris accumulated between the walls of the building.
In big cities the fire service usually goes to small fires and rubbish chutes. Dumpsters are located outdoors or inside,
on the ground floor, in a rubbish chutes areas. Extinguishing such fires takes place in the backyard of the house which
is safe and less burdensome for tenants. Wastes containers on the premises are pulled out and relocated from the blocks
of flats. The problem arises when the fire is located in the chutes, anywhere between floors. Garbage accumulate in
the recesses of the chute tunnel at its inlets and bends. In old buildings, the chutes are made of stoneware. Stoneware
eventually cracks and then the garbage accumulates between the pipe and the wall of the tunnel. Fires are usually
caused by tenants as cigarette butts are dumped into the channel chutes. The cigarette stopped on the garbage heats
up, because the is an air flow in the tunnel. It is difficult to locate places where the fire started if it started somewhere
between floors.
Firefighters have some tactics of action with the use of TIC. They look for warmer places in the chute. Then
determine the boundaries of an area of raised temperature and perform its outline. Above the upper boundary of the
outline, they make a hole in the wall covering the chute. Fig. 2 shows a thermal image of the wall overlying the chute.
It shows the outlines of a firefighter, who knocked a hole. The camera reproduces the temperature in grayscale, but
the areas with temperature exceeding the limit are marked in red. This makes them easily visible. Water is transported
from the hole above the hot spot. This is probably where the source of the fire is. Firefighters wait a few minutes and
re-measure the temperature. If it drops the action can be considered successful, and if not, firefighters have to look for
fire in other places. Without infrared camera operations are similar, but more inconvenient.
Losses caused by fires in buildings are largely connected with flooding during the actions. In tall buildings water
floods the entire department to the basement. It destroys the floors, walls, furniture and other furnishings. It causes
fungus. The camera helps to locate the fire and check the effectiveness of fire extinguishing. This allows firefighters
to knock fewer holes. Each hole in wrong place ensures more air supply and increases the fire. Each liter of water
poured unnecessarily increases the losses.
In the chute fires, infrared camera facilitates the work of firefighters, improves safety, reduces the duration of
action, enables precise location of fire sources and thus cost-efficient administration of extinguishing water, which
minimizes the losses caused by fire and saves tenants problems with flooding.

5. Conclusions

Firefighters use the infrared cameras more and more often in the activities of the tactical approach. Available
cameras give good enough picture on the display. They are handy, easy to use and well protected from water, shock
and short excessive heat. Especially helpful is the colorization function. Next generation cameras should have a built-
in communication module for transmitting real-time video and digital camera for photography in visible light. They
should be mounted on helmets to free the hands of a fireman.
Cameras play an important role in searching the smoky rooms, locating the sources of fire and assessment of the
fire situation. They contribute to the improvement of firefighting and rescue operations, reduce the time needed for
actions, reduce damages caused by fire, reduce the efforts of rescuers. But what is the most important factor, they
increase the safety of firefighters and allow faster access to fire victims.
For Sir William Herschel, who discovered infrared radiation, his discovery was only a scientific curiosity. This
discovery became great only after finding practical applications. It required a lot of creative inventiveness and many
1072 A. Szajewska / Procedia Engineering 172 (2017) 1067 – 1072

years of researches based on the Herschel's discovery to build a infrared camera designed for firefighting environment.
At present, firefighters have a new tool that saves people's lives and changes the rules of tactics during rescue and
fire-fighting operations.
The analysis carried out in this article aims at optimization of firefighting and rescue operations with the use of
TIC. Presenting the possibilities of using TIC indicates the ability to detect heat sources. The article shows that the
camera is able to detect places colder than the surrounding as well, and this property can also be used.

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