Insight Training outlines thermal maintenance checks for TIC users

by Featured NewsThermal ImagingTraining

Thermal imaging camera checks for daily readiness

Insight Training has published maintenance guidance for fire departments using thermal imaging cameras, setting out daily checks and handling steps intended to reduce the risk of equipment failure and extend service life.

In a blog article by Andrew Starnes, the company said one of the most common causes of thermal imaging camera malfunction is poor care and maintenance.

The guidance says a designated crew member should inspect each device daily to confirm it is operational and free from visible defects.

That process starts with powering on the camera and checking that it starts fully within 30 seconds.

If start-up takes longer, the unit may need to be returned to the manufacturer for servicing.

The article adds that cameras stored below freezing or above 104°F may take longer to power up.

Battery status should also be checked during the inspection.

Most units display a four-bar battery indicator, with each bar representing at least 30 minutes of operating time.

Newer models may offer up to six hours of battery life, although power use can rise when functions such as flashlights, recording or transmission are active.

Users are advised to remove the battery and inspect charging contacts for dirt or damage.

Where a truck-mounted charger is used, both the charger contacts and camera contacts should be cleaned with an alcohol wipe.

Soap, water and solvents are not recommended for those components.

The lens should also be inspected for scratches or chips that may affect image quality.

A flashlight may be needed during this check because defects can be difficult to spot on lenses with diamond coating.

Operators are then advised to scan the surrounding area for signs of detector problems, including image ghosting, static lines on the screen or black dots that remain visible after scanning.

The guidance says black dots can appear after exposure to intense radiant heat sources such as the sun, arc welders or plasma cutters.

It also advises crews to confirm that application modes, recording functions and the default reset function are all working correctly during the scan test.

A radio frequency interference test is also recommended as part of the daily check.

This involves keying a portable firefighter radio next to the camera to confirm that transmissions do not affect the display.

For devices produced since 2013, the test should show no visual interference.

If the display freezes or shows white static, the unit may have damaged or incorrectly installed electromagnetic interference coatings and should be returned for repair.

Thermal handling and charging practices

Insight Training also sets out storage, cleaning and carrying guidance for thermal imaging cameras used in fire service operations.

Cameras should be returned to a charging dock, secured to self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment or placed in another designated ready position after use.

The article warns against leaving units on hot surfaces or on vehicle dashboards in direct sunlight.

Camera housings should be cleaned with a mild soap solution.

Paint removers, degreasers and solvents should be avoided because they may damage seals designed to protect against water and dust ingress.

The guidance says some departments have used abrasive tools or strong cleaning agents that can damage protective housings and shorten the working life of the device.

Users are also warned not to remove the battery and submerge the camera in water during cleaning because this can void the warranty and permanently damage the unit.

Port covers for PC connections should remain closed to prevent dust or moisture entering the camera.

The article states that fire service thermal imaging cameras provide approximate thermal readings and are not intended for measuring extreme heat sources.

It adds that pointing a device at radiant heat sources such as the sun, plasma cutters or high-powered lasers can damage the detector and void the warranty.

According to the guidance, this can happen when a firefighter removes equipment and leaves the camera facing upwards towards the sun.

The company also recommends securing cameras to gear in a way that keeps them accessible and reduces the chance of damage or entanglement.

Units should not be dragged, used as forcible entry tools or left in active fire conditions.

Retractable cords are described as a potential entanglement risk if they catch on ladders or other equipment.

The article recommends checking attachment hardware regularly and using locking or swivel-lock carabiners to reduce the chance of accidental detachment.

It also describes a strap worn over the firefighter’s coat, similar to a radio strap, as an alternative carrying option.

Some firefighters, the article says, use seatbelt webbing with a large carabiner as an attachment point.

It also warns against attaching retractable straps to the back of SCBA equipment because that arrangement can damage the camera and shorten strap life.

Battery management is presented as another factor in long-term maintenance.

The guidance recommends allowing batteries to charge fully and discharge fully to reduce the effect of incomplete charging cycles on lifespan.

It notes that lithium-ion batteries do not technically develop a memory effect and are rated for a finite number of charge cycles.

Dirty contacts or poor placement in a truck charger can lead to repeated short charging cycles that reduce battery life.

The article also notes that TIC units are designed to meet IP67 ratings for dust and water resistance, with open battery ports or exposed connection covers increasing the risk of damage.

The guidance presents routine inspection, correct storage and careful handling as part of maintaining readiness and protecting thermal imaging equipment over time.

Insight Training shares thermal dollhouse teaching method

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsThermal ImagingTraining

Thermal imaging lessons using a thermal dollhouse

Insight Training has published guidance explaining how instructors can use a Palmer dollhouse to teach thermal imaging concepts during firefighter training.

In a blog article by Andrew Starnes, the organisation describes the dollhouse as a controlled demonstration tool for showing how thermal imaging cameras respond as a fire grows and heat moves through a structure.

The guidance says the dollhouse should be built from 3/8-inch plywood, assembled with screws and sealed with caulk to improve durability and contain heat for longer demonstrations.

The lower left compartment is identified as the fire room and should be lined with drywall so students can see how that material initially hides heat signatures before heat transfer becomes visible.

Students can then observe thermal bridging through screws before heat passes through the drywall and later through the plywood.

The room directly above the fire compartment is recommended as an isolation space that remains tightly sealed during the burn so instructors can show how closed doors reduce heat transfer and limit fire spread.

At the end of the exercise, removing the front panel allows students to view the burn pattern and see that the sealed second-floor compartment above the fire has been affected far less than the fire room.

Thermal camera operation and fire behaviour teaching points

Insight Training also recommends reviewing basic thermal imaging camera operation before ignition, including how students switch between TI Basic mode and other application modes.

Starnes notes that this operational knowledge forms part of the requisite knowledge required by NFPA 1010 for new firefighters.

During the incipient stage, three or four students can kneel and observe the fire compartment through their cameras so instructors can demonstrate high sensitivity, low sensitivity and mixed gain settings.

Students can compare how heat affects their ability to see cooler objects and structural features as conditions change inside the structure.

Different camera models can also be placed side by side so students can compare thermal colourisation and see how application modes alter colour thresholds.

The exercise is also intended to show convection currents and thermal layers as heat moves into adjacent rooms and rises through the dollhouse when the floor door to the second floor is opened.

After several minutes of fire growth, students can carry out a 360-degree size-up around the structure to identify irregular heat patterns and thermal bridging around screws or nails.

The training outline also includes exercises on distance, target recognition and scanning so firefighters can see how colourisation changes with range and how background heat affects image interpretation.

Suppression phase and thermal imaging limits

Insight Training says the Palmer dollhouse can also be used to show limits in thermal imaging by simulating reflective surfaces with aluminium tape and by showing how smoke and glass can affect image interpretation.

The demonstration can also be extended to fire behaviour topics including flow paths, ventilation effects and fire spread, linking those observations to what firefighters see through the camera and with the naked eye.

In the final phase, instructors can use a garden hose, water extinguisher or small hose line to demonstrate stream placement and show how cooling changes surface readings on the thermal camera.

Once visible flames have been knocked down, students can scan the structure for remaining heat and identify areas that still need cooling during overhaul.

The outline presents the Palmer dollhouse as a way to connect thermal imaging use with fire behaviour, suppression and overhaul decisions during training.

Learning + training = understanding: How Insight Training LLC builds thermal imaging confidence

by Breaking NewsSearch and RescueThermal ImagingTraining

Andrew Starnes, Founder of Insight Training LLC highlights how fire service thermography can assist firefighters, sharing key advice on how it can be utilised and why it is so beneficial

Insight Training LLC, led by Andrew Starnes, focuses on giving firefighters the skills to interpret what they see, apply it in real conditions and integrate thermal awareness into everyday operations.

In this article, Andy discusses how Insight’s programmes translate complex thermography principles into practical fireground tactics, how they adapt to different departmental needs and what developments may change the way firefighters learn and train in the years ahead.

Could you begin by introducing yourself, your background in the fire service and how Insight Training LLC came to specialise in thermal imaging for firefighters?

My name is Andy Starnes.

I began my journey in the fire service as a junior volunteer firefighter following in 1990 under the guidance of my father Joe Starnes, who served as the volunteer Fire Chief in our community.

I began my career in the fire service with Charlotte Fire Department in 1998 and served for over 25 years before retiring at the rank of Battalion Chief in 2023.

During this journey, I was blessed to be involved in Project Kill the Flashover which was started by my father Joe Starnes and his dear friend Chief Shawn Oke.

I was fortunate to begin studying thermal imaging in 2010 through this project.

In 2015, I was injured while preparing one of our acquired structures for a research burn.

While I was out of work for seven months, I was able to research the field of thermography and formed the company Insight Fire Training (Insight Training LLC).

With special encouragement from my wife, I pursued this path beginning in May of 2015 by enrolling in thermography certification courses.

Through intense study and many wonderful opportunities, I was fortunate to develop a thermography-based curriculum for firefighters.

Since then, Insight Fire Training has grown to a cadre of over 20 thermography certified fire service instructors, traveling and training internationally, and we provided consulting services to many fire service product manufacturers.

We also now offer the world’s first collegiate thermal imaging certification through Western Kentucky University in partnership with Kentucky Thermal Institute.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, how would you describe tactical fire service thermography and its importance for modern fireground operations?

Fire service thermography is the process of interpreting qualitative thermal imaging data for the purposes of enhancing strategies and tactics in emergency situations.

It allows firefighters to quickly locate the source of the fire, the direction of the fire spread and the intensity of the fire.

It allows firefighters to ascertain the layout of the structures to quickly search and locate anyone trapped within the structure.

What key principles of thermal imaging should every firefighter understand to make effective tactical decisions during an incident?

Firefighters should be proficient in ten key areas of thermal imaging usage- we will cover five of them here.

  1. Do not over rely on technology.
  • Carry the device: Over 50% of the fire responses surveyed showed that the TIC was being left on the fire apparatus and not being used immediately.
  • Power the device on early: Fire Service TICs are required to be fully operational after 30 seconds of pressing the power button. Firefighters have realized that powering on the device at the entry point or inside the environment is not effective as they must wait on the device to fully power up and in many cases, they then realize their battery isn’t fully charged.
  • Learn to scan properly: Fire Service TICs have been in use since the 1990’s and a six-sided scanning technique was introduced by a firefighter (Woodsworth) which incorporated all sides of the area that firefighters are entering. The issue with this technique is that it advocates that the scan should start high in the room. Firefighters have fallen victim to “tunnel vision” by scanning high and immediately detecting heat. They then fail to scan low to look for victims, hazards and layout of the structure. Many fire service TICs are dual gain which causes the lower cooler environment to darken down when the firefighter scans high. This has also been reported as a contributing factor for missing victims, fire beneath them, stairs and other critically important information. For this reason and more, we advocate a simple four principle of scanning technique that begins with TIC low in the space.
  • Wipe the lens: Firefighters consistently report that their fire service TIC “whited-out” during a fire. Fire service TICs haven’t produced a white out effect due to heat in over 25 years. The most common reason for this problem is the failure to wipe the lens. As a firefighter makes entry to the fire environment, they experience a temperature change and condensation/smoke builds up on their facepiece. It is a common practice to wipe the facepiece so they can see. However, many have not been instructed to wipe the lens on the front of the TIC. This lens is made of germanium and has a scratch resistant diamond lined coating on it to reduce scratches. As a firefighter wipes the lens, the image dramatically improves for a few moments before the lens is covered again by moisture and smoke. This process shall be repeated each time during the scanning process.

What are the most common challenges or misconceptions firefighters face when first incorporating thermal imaging cameras into their work?

The most common misconception is that these devices measure temperatures accurately.

Fire Service TICs are qualitative in nature meaning that they are designed to detect heat emitted by surfaces in the 7–14-micron LWIR range thereby providing apparent temperature measurements.

These measurements are often grossly inaccurate.

NFPA 1801-2021 edition removed the spot temperature feature from TI Basic as it was listed as a contributing factor in three separate line of duty death incidents.

Firefighters are using this device incorrectly to measure lithium-ion battery incidents, spot temperature measurements during overhaul, and there are fire departments that require firefighters to call out temperatures as they move through the fire environment.

This is dangerous and inaccurate.

When combined with the fact, the fire service TICs do not detect gases and can only provide an estimated value; it is not surprising that we see firefighters consistently having problems with these devices.

This is a global issue and will not be resolved until the fire service improves their overall education and training in this area.

What knowledge, confidence and decision-making skills do firefighters gain from completing Insight’s courses and how can this training influence their performance on the fireground?

Insight Fire Training trains over 20,000 individuals each year across the globe.

Our courses have been reviewed by countless departments and manufacturers.

Our greatest blessing is to receive the emails of firefighter testimonials each week stating how they have applied the concepts they learned in our training to make a difference on the fireground.

How do you help departments integrate thermal imaging into their standard operating guidelines, crew coordination and broader safety culture?

We have helped hundreds of fire departments across the globe integrate basic thermal imaging concepts and assisted them with developing their own thermal imaging training programs.

For example, in our train the trainer program we provide an implementation criteria training session in which we discuss operational guidelines, training recommendations and more.

Poland and Germany have both integrated thermal imaging training into many of their standard training guidelines because of our training programs.

In addition, any student who completes our training receives access to a resource folder that consists of policy examples, procedures, lesson plans and more.

We also provide virtual follow-up consultations to these departments at no charge to assist them with training program development.

What steps do you think the industry should take to build a more consistent and informed approach to thermal imaging training across different fire services?

The current market is moving forward at a rapid pace regarding infrared technologies.

Manufacturers who decide to look beyond traditional methods of producing a “thermal imaging camera” will innovate the future of thermal imaging.

However, the most innovative and advanced technology will not solve the greatest problem in the fire service: a lack of consistent and standardized education and training in thermal imaging.

This is the mission of Insight Fire Training.

We have produced a collegiate program that has been peer reviewed and credentialed by Western Kentucky University.

We also are building more online free educational content for the fire service to use to assist in this area.

Our goal is create a generation of “intelligently aggressive” firefighters who change the world.

This was originally published in the November 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Fit for purpose, fit for duty, with Fire-Dex

by Breaking NewsPPE

Todd Herring, Vice President of Product Innovation and Strategy at Fire-Dex, discusses how alternative PPE helps firefighters stay safer, reduce fatigue and extend turnout gear lifespan 

There’s no blueprint for fighting wildfires, much less the countless other emergencies firefighters must respond to. Recently, we’ve witnessed how quickly California’s Santa Ana winds can turn a small blaze into a raging inferno. Conditions and circumstances change in an instant—fires suddenly explode in size, while rescue missions can stretch for hours and miles, and firefighters must adapt on the fly. 

Simply put, daily workloads have no quick in and out or predictability. Responders must be ready to endure exhausting shifts, sometimes for days at a time, haul heavy gear over rugged terrain, or manage all the unknowns that may accompany a motor vehicle accident (MVA). 

In fact, NFPA statistics show that all firefighters are taking more calls than ever, including hazardous materials and hazardous conditions.

That’s why PPE manufacturers like Fire-Dex are designing gear to help ease stress on the fireground and beyond. Advances in material science, smarter designs and a changing philosophy are creating the next generation of apparel that’s designed to work with—not against—first responders and keep them in the fight longer. 

Rethinking PPE  

For a long time, many firefighters have worn the same PPE for every call. That usually means full turnouts for everything from a structural fire to an MVA in the July sun. But increasingly, research is revealing the downside of this thinking, making way for an approach that calls for the right gear for the right call.  

The shift is long overdue. While structural fire incidents have dropped significantly over the past 40 years, EMS calls have surged by 421%, and all other calls have nearly tripled according to the NFPA. Yet firefighters are still expected to wear turnouts for non-fire emergencies where no thermal protection is needed.  

Turnouts are great when you need them—but wearing them all day? That’s just added weight and stress on your body. Heat stress and overexertion are the top causes of firefighter line-of-duty-deaths (LODDs), and sometimes, lighter gear is the smarter choice.

Alternative PPE provides the right level of protection for most calls while preventing unnecessary fatigue and keeping structural gear fresh for when it’s truly needed. 

There’s also the issue of contamination. Firefighters don’t just fight fires—they bring part of them back. Moving between the scene, the truck, and the station in the same gear means contaminants can come along for the ride.

Studies show that air pollution inside fire stations poses significant risks, especially in living quarters and engine bays where gear and equipment are stored.

Pollutants can also concentrate inside fire trucks. Alternative PPE, as an option for non-fire calls, can help mitigate these risks by reducing the likelihood of cross-contamination. 

The alternative PPE advantage 

Not all PPE is created equal—especially when it comes to alternative gear. It’s not just about making something lighter; it has to be built to perform. Firefighters don’t just face one type of hazard. Even on non-fire calls, there’s still heat, abrasion and unexpected risks.  

That’s where strategic material selection comes in. The best alternative PPE doesn’t overload firefighters with unnecessary bulk, but it also doesn’t skimp on protection where it’s needed.

Todd Herring

It’s a delicate balance: Use materials that provide the right protection for the right call, without adding extra bulk that weighs you down. Without the need for the heaviest materials, firefighters can choose PPE that breathes better and lets cool air circulate around the body. 

Regulating core body temperature is essential for reducing heat stress and fatigue, both of which can significantly impact a person’s cognitive function and reaction time. When body temperature rises, the body naturally cools itself through evaporative heat loss—but traditional turnout gear can trap sweat, preventing proper heat dissipation. 

One suit, many uses 

Not every emergency is a structure fire, and not every call should require hauling around full turnouts. In response, the market offers many multipurpose options like Fire-Dex’s TECGEN51 Multipurpose PPE. As a two-piece or coverall, it’s dual-certified to NFPA 1951 (technical rescue) and 1977 (wildland performance) for non-fire calls like MVAs, electrical issues and search and rescue missions—it’s lightweight, breathable and built to move. 

The reason is the TECGEN fiber, an inherently flame-resistant material with a high-density carbon shell and a flexible core. That combination provides increased durability over typical carbon-based fibers.

This technology enables the development of fabrics that simultaneously offer high levels of thermal protection (TPP) and breathability (THL). That’s to say, there’s less trade-off between the two, making a multipurpose garment more viable and effective than ever. 

Most people don’t think twice about sweat, but firefighters don’t have that luxury. Battalion Chief Andy Starnes of Insight Training warns that wearing turnouts unnecessarily—especially in hot, humid conditions—can cause serious issues: “It makes managing moisture critical because drenched gear isn’t just annoying—it’s dangerous.

Exhaustion doesn’t happen all at once—it builds until every move in heavy, sweat-soaked gear feels like a fight. And that’s a cycle no firefighter wants to be stuck in.” 

Andy Starnes

Beyond the materials, design choices affect the safety and useability of gear. For example, multipurpose PPE might feature a bi-wing back design in the jacket that improves shoulder and arm mobility, so it’s easier to climb and maneuver in tight spaces without feeling restricted.

As another example, a Mandarin-style collar with a throat closure might be used to prevent debris from getting inside the jacket, but without the bulk and discomfort of traditional collars. 

Even little changes can make a big difference. Pant legs, for instance, might seem a trivial consideration, but features like oversized legs with long zipper bottoms can make it much easier to pull the pants over your boots without struggling. In all cases, the goal is to help wearers stay focused on their gear instead of fighting it. 

With advances in alternative PPE across the fire industry, achieving the right level of protection and mobility without the strain of full turnouts is possible. Busy departments wanting to know more should contact their gear specialist to arrange a demo where firefighters can give instant feedback on the features and fits that work best for them. 

Of course, for many fire departments, alternative PPE can seem like a large investment in an entirely new class of gear. The financials, however, are not to be feared. The use of multipurpose PPE can greatly extend the useful life of pricier turnouts by letting them hang out at the station when non-fire calls come in. Furthermore, manufacturers may bundle gear like turnouts, alternative PPE and accessories at a discount to customers. 

Firefighters give everything they’ve got to the job. Their gear should give just as much back. The latest PPE innovations can help keep them safer, cooler and more comfortable. Ask your specialist for a cost analysis—you could be looking at additional years before you need structural replacements again. 

About the author 

Todd Herring is the Vice President of Product Innovation and Strategy at Fire-Dex, with over 20 years of experience in the protective textile industry.  

Passionate about innovating fire service personal protective equipment (PPE), Todd joined Fire-Dex in 2015 through the acquisition of TECGEN. He advanced to Director of Marketing and Product Development in 2016 and was elevated to his current role in 2021.  

Todd holds a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering from NC State University, excelling in product development, management, marketing, rationalisation and strategy.  

This article was originally published in the March 2025 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal – to read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: The true colour of fire with Insight Training LLC

by Featured NewsTraining

Andy Starnes, Instructor at Insight Training LLC, explains why with thermal imaging camera colour palettes, what you see is not always what you get

Thermal Imaging Cameras offer a variety of application-based colour palettes for the end user to choose from. Certain manufacturers offer as many as 23 different choices of colour palettes. In addition to the variety of colour palettes available, certain manufacturers offer feature specific benefits such as hot spot/cold spot tracker, electronic thermal throttle and more.

With such a variety of choices, options, and applications; it is no wonder firefighters are often seen using these application-based colour palettes incorrectly. How can these colour palettes be used incorrectly?

To properly address this issue, we must first define these various application-based colour palettes and their appropriate and intended environment for use. Each specific colour palette is assigned what is known as false colours by the programming in the thermal imaging camera based on different intensities of radiation at different levels.

Most of these colour palettes have uses that were not originally intended for firefighting – they were intended for low temperature and low contrast environments except fire-based colour palettes such as TI Basic. This is especially important to note as the fireground will have much higher temperatures than most of these colour palettes listed here were intended for.

Fire departments who are choosing thermal imaging cameras would be wise to do their research before purchasing any device that offers many options that may not be applicable to their service delivery model. In other words, if a department chooses a highly complicated device with numerous application specific options, they must invest in thermography-based training for their firefighters to maximise the effectiveness of their investment.

Establishing common ground

Firefighters are quick to recognise the colour palette known as TI Basic. NFPA 1801, The Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service-chapter 6.6.4.1.9 states regarding colourisation the following:

In the TI Basic mode, the heat colour reference bar shall have a colour scale that includes only the following colourisation: Greyscale — at the bottom of the heat colour reference bar before colour indication begins and shall not be more than 50 percent of the overall height of the heat colour reference bar; yellow at the low end of the heat colour reference bar; orange in the middle of the heat colour reference bar; and red at the high end of the heat colour reference bar.

This colour palette is simple and intuitive for all users to understand except for the following variable: Manufacturers choose when these colours engage, and they are approved by NFPA if they follow the approved colour/temperature progression with no more than 50% of the colour palette being in grey scale.

This creates a problem for firefighters as they can pick up any of the currently certified NFPA 1801 Certified Thermal Imaging Cameras and each will show colourisation at different temperatures at differing pixel percentages and some show colourisation in high and low sensitivity modes.

The issue of non-uniformity in colour temperature correlation continues to worsen when we notice that many manufacturers offer an overwhelming selection of non-firefighting application-based colour palettes such as: Rainbow or High Colour, Iron Bow, Fire & Ice, Black Hot, Green Hot and many more.

One of the best explanations for how and why colour palettes are developed comes from Teledyne FLIR: “In thermal imaging, each individual pixel represents a specific temperature data point. These data points are assigned a unique colour or shade based on their value, meaning that as the thermal sensor detects changes in heat energy, it will express this change by adjusting the colour or shade of a pixel. These pre-set gradients—or thermal palettes—determine pixel appearance and help identify different heat sources throughout a scene.”

By assigning specific temperature data points to a specific colour or shade this allows firefighters to quickly identify areas of interest. But which colour palettes should and should not be used in the realm of firefighting?  Per NFPA 1801, TI Basic is the recommended colour palette for firefighting but there are numerous other colour palettes available for use. The issue is not the colour palettes themselves but the end user and their level of overall knowledge.

Colour palette options

First, the end user must be trained on the specific application-based colour palette. While the temperature and conditions of a scene is the same, each colour palette will detect and interpret the scene differently. By understanding the colour palette and its intended use, a firefighter can use these colour palettes to their advantage in various emergency situations.

According to Dave Lee from FLIR Delta: “Not all colour palettes are well suited for every situation. In fact, some colour palettes can even make your job harder or even hide what you are looking for.”

Iron-Bow: The Iron-bow colour palette is one of the most popular palettes chosen by thermography professionals. It is used extensively in the inspection industry when viewing roofs, solar panels, and electrical equipment. It is also used in pinpointing skin temperature variations in industrial thermal imaging cameras known as EBT or elevated body temperature devices. Many TIC manufacturers do not publish the temperature colour correlations for this palette.

Rainbow Colour Palette: In thermography, the rainbow colour palette is typically used for demonstration purposes to show clients/customers areas of potential interest as the broad spectrum of colours provide a separation of specific areas of interest. It is also used in the electrical industry when inspecting circuit boards and electronic components. In emergency services, this colour palette can lead to confusion for firefighters due to the manufacturer does not publish the colour/temperature correlations.

White Hot: Prior to the addition of TI Basic Plus, the standard colour palette was White Hot. With this, the hottest object within the field of view of the will appear white whereas the coldest object within the field of view will be colorised black. The issue arises when we are trying to determine the areas that are in-between black and white.

Firefighters who use this colour palette would be wise to consider any area that is white (in fire conditions) as hot and cool the area until it becomes black. Shades of grey are not as easy to differentiate as thermographers tell us. When compared to the other options the firefighter must choose from within the various colour palettes; White Hot is the simplest option for staying oriented.

Colour selection criteria guide

In situations such as the fire ground, a firefighter does not have the luxury of time to select from various colour palettes. The end user must ask themselves the following questions: Do I have seconds? Such as a fire or rescue scene? -or- Do I have minutes? Such as a lost person search operation or drone application as pictured here.

When seconds count, newer standard fire service TICs will turn on and default to TI Basic without selecting or pressing any additional buttons other than the power button. If a firefighter is in another application mode other than TI-Basic, they can simply tap the green power button and it will return to TI-Basic. When the end user has more time such as during investigations, size up, or overhaul situations, they can quickly select their colour palette of choice.

The following colour selection criteria guide is designed for applications where time is not of the essence The end user should consider the following questions:

• What am I looking for? High Heat? Low Heat? No Heat?

• What is the background temperature compared to the object of interest?

• What type of Incident? Fire, Lost Person, Haz-Mat, Active Shooter?

• Do I need detail, or Do I need simply to identify the area of interest?

• Who is the operator? Are they colour blind or have issues with their eyesight?

This three-point model can simplify the process.

1) Check Conditions: What are the overall background temperatures compared to the object of interest? Toggle through the available colour palettes while keeping in mind that as the environment changes so will the discernible details. Is this a high heat or low heat situation? Be aware that as the overall temperature increases, the TIC will switch from high to low sensitivity which can cause a loss of detail. If the end user is viewing a high heat scene, they would be wise to stay in an application mode that offers dual gain or high and low sensitivity. If they are viewing a low temperature scene, a single gain application mode will benefit them greatly.

2) Colourisation Adjustment: Certain colour palettes have adjustable temperature/heat spans to highlight areas of interest.

3) Contrast Check: Certain Colour Palettes offer too little contrast for contexts where clarity and detail are of the utmost importance.

In summary, thermal imaging cameras offer a variety of options and features but they cannot be used to their maximum potential without proper education and training. We recommend learning and training on your specific model of thermal imaging camera. Colour palettes and application features vary by manufacturer. This diagnostic tool can be an asset or a detriment. The determining factor of its overall effectiveness is ultimately up to the knowledge, skill, and understanding of the end user.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.