Thermal Imaging Camera

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Permalink Reply by Allen on March 15, 2009 at 9:09pm

We use the MSA and trust me when i say it has taken a beating, and the thing still works like it did when we bought it.

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Permalink Reply by FETC on March 15, 2009 at 9:17pm

Tips for Purchasing a New Thermal Imaging Camera
By: FETC Services - All Rights Reserved


The research and purchase of a thermal imager is not a simple task and is definitely one that should not be taxed upon a single person within your fire department. Whether purchasing a camera through an acquired grant, hard earned fundraiser money or taxpayer's cash from the capital improvement program, the costs associated with this purchase justifies creating a small TIC committee. The committee should steer the process of research, contacting manufacturer representatives and scheduling camera demos for hands-on evaluation.

I would also recommend acquiring as much literature as possible on each brand, assigning a committee member to research each product thoroughly before contacting the manufacturer representative. It means once a product demo has been scheduled, the committee will be educated on that specific product and can maximize the demo time with the representative. Once the demonstration is completed, always inquire if the demo camera can be left, so your membership can further review and evaluate the product without time constraints.

The committee as a whole should have basic knowledge of how a thermal imager works and understand the different technologies available to us from the industry. Not all TICs are designed the same. For instance, your committee should understand that infrared energy seen by a thermal camera will be focused onto a focal plane array (FPA). The electronics that are connected to the FPA will create what some fire service instructors describe as "the engine." This engine senses energy, calculates the relative differences between objects and then prepares that data for your eyes to view on the display screen.

There are three common types of engine technology used in fire service thermal imagers, the first being BST (Barium Strontium Titanate) technology. BST technology is the most common and is known for its past performance within the fire service. The next is VOx (Vanadium Oxide) technology, which is just one type of microbolometer. VOx microbolometers are now very popular in the fire service for their good quality image. The newest technology afforded to us is amorphous silicon (aSi), which is also another type of microbolometer and is well known for its compact size and relatively low cost to the end user.

Remember, with each of these different types of technologies you may find advantages to your specific organizational needs as well as a wide difference in the costs associated with each internal technology.

When charging a TIC committee to evaluate the potential purchase of a new camera, I suggest they focus on 10 key features to create a solid product evaluation. In my experience, firefighters may at times get hooked on the latest “bells and whistles” that a manufacturer has recently developed. While these can be nice to have, they may be seldom used in the field. Keep the committee focused on buying the right product for your department's specific needs by concentrating on:

1. Size and weight

2 Ease of use, body ergonomics

3 Battery life

4. Ruggedness – Durability – Field proven

5. Display screen: size, resolution, color, advanced options

6. Temperature Reading Sensor vs. Pyrometer

7. Upgradeability

8. Apparatus mountable, apparatus charging capabilities

9. Cost

10. Warranty

Besides the purchasing of the camera itself, there's another important aspect to consider – training your firefighters how to actually use it. Let's think about opening our mindset to not only focus on how many of these cameras we can purchase for X amount of money. The thermal imager is only one tool in the firefighter’s toolbox and we all know this can only be an advantage if the end user is fully trained and understands its capabilities and/or limitations.

There is so much more to know about the camera beyond the manufacturer’s in-service training. Firefighters deserve real-world image interpretation and a quality sequence for safe operational use, none of which can be completed in just the training room or in the chief's office.

I would personally give up purchasing an additional camera in a multi-camera package in lieu of acquiring department-wide training from a professional company specializing in thermal imagers. Remember when a problem arises and a life is on the line, it will be the fully trained and mentally prepared firefighter who will efficiently locate victims faster by being able to properly utilize the thermal imager.

Mr. Greenwood is a Pro-Board Certified NFPA 1041 Instructor-III, NFPA 1021 Fire Officer-II, NH Certified Firefighter-III, Rapid Intervention Team Instructor, NFPA 1003 & FAA Airport Rescue Firefighter, NREMT-Intermediate and EMT-I/C. He is a 16-year veteran of the fire service with experience in various volunteer, paid-call, and career fire departments throughout New Hampshire. He is currently working as a career lieutenant with the Keene, NH, Fire Department and is the Assistant Fire Chief of Training for the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Fire Department. Mr. Greenwood also owns an advanced firefighter training and leadership company, called FETC Services. www.fetcservices.com

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Permalink Reply by Alan on March 17, 2009 at 9:28pm

we originally had scott tics but they were big and cumbersom. So we switched to smaller bullard cameras and have one for every piece of apparatus in our department which includes 2 heavy rescues, 3 trucks, 2 tankers, 1 air unit, 4 chiefs vehicles, 8 engines, and a brush truck. We have had them for about 4 years now and have had no problems. They are very easy to use with a one button on/off switch. As far as cost I would have to ask my chief. But no complaints so far.

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Permalink Reply by John on March 17, 2009 at 10:02pm

We just recently recieved Scott brand TICs and as of now we have had no problem with them.

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Permalink Reply by Alan on March 19, 2009 at 12:23am

I'm not sure if you havae the same ones we did. But they were large black in color and had a pistol grip. I just didnt like them due to them being big and cumbersom and had a problem with the batteries holding a charge amongst other things. Unless they have come out with a newer version? I don't know.

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Permalink Reply by Nick xLTx on March 19, 2009 at 12:31am

Our neighbor has 2 of the same units and also have battery issues, they can't get them to charge and when they do it only last about 5-10mins. I'm not sure of their model number but it is big a black, they got them around 1 1/2ish ago I believe.

We have 2 of the MSA 5200EVO series and I would strongly recommend this camera to anyone.

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Permalink Reply by Alan on March 20, 2009 at 3:20am

yeah sounds like the same ones that we had. I'm so glad we got rid of them. The bullards we bought are so much better. I have use the msa once or twice but not enough to gain an opinion.

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Permalink Reply by FETC on March 20, 2009 at 10:15am

1. Nick is the charging unit located on a vehicle?

2. Does the unit only charge when the shoreline (house power) is plugged in?

If so, each and everytime you start the vehicle and the shoreline unplugs, the unit charger is turning on and off, which in turn creates short battery life memory and also will count toward the total number of times a battery can be charged on it's service life.

I have seen people scratch their heads and say it works 5-10 minutes and will not hold a charge but the thing is still fairly new.

If so, remove the charging unit from the vehicle, use house power only and charge the battery without any interruptions. Change them out when you need to replace the battery due to low life.

You will first need to attempt to condition the battery with a battery conditioner, if the battery still has any life left...

Best of luck.
FETC

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Permalink Reply by Chris Sterling on March 20, 2009 at 7:20am

We use an MSA Evolution 5000. We've used it for everything from, searching for lost people in the woods, to vehicle fires, to hot wiring in electrical boxes, and of coarse structure fires. It has always performed flawlessly for us. The charging unit is mounted between the seats in the engine for easy access, and does'nt take up much space at all. We've had it for four years, and use it atleast a couple hundred times a year. Battery life is good, but could be better. You can use it for about two or so hours on a charge, and then you'll need to put in the spare. The charging unit has a spare battery charging slot, and comes with the spare battery. The camera itself is of medium size compaired to some cameras I've seen. It comes with a retractable lanyard that attaches to your coats snap hook. It's light weight and easy to handle. We like it alot. Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Don Vuletic on March 25, 2009 at 3:49pm

We have the same units. We purchased two and have had no problems. The graphics are great along with the tempeture bar for reference. We have also loaned one to th Police for night operation. Its also a locale comany being in Pittsburgh and thats a bonus if we have a problem, which has not occured. The unit can also be setup for viewing from the command post on a monitor.

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Permalink Reply by Adam on March 22, 2009 at 5:38am

What FETC said is great, I will tell you our story as well.

About a year or so ago we went through the same thing. We had an old Argus camera. One thing I will say is put together a committee and have your vendors bring camera out to you...don't just look at them and see their specs. My department put together a committee of anyone who wanted to be a part of it, we did not say that there were any requirements as to who was allowed to be on it. The chair had the vendors come out and show us their cameras and talked them into leaving them (one at a time) with us to show the department if we liked them. In the end we took our top 4 choices (Bullard T4, Scott Eagle, Fire Warrior (not sure who makes it), and the new Argus) to a local departments burn tower for a true hands on experience. The differences there showed up as they would in the real world.

For the record we ended up with the Scott Eagle

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Permalink Reply by Tim Miller on March 22, 2009 at 6:14am

Our Department uses an ISG. We've had it for a little over a year now and it seems to work very well for the price

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