Since the fire service’s beginning, we have taken pride in the equipment that we use on a daily basis and the routine servicing required to keep it maintained.
Thermal imagers (TIs) are no exception to this rule and often get overlooked for maintenance even though they are invaluable tools. I often get asked what is required. Here are some tips to help you maintain your TI.
Three-Lens Wipe—Condensation and Soot
During normal firefighting operations, there will be times you experience diminished vision because of elements caused by the fire. Moisture causing condensation and soot buildup will reduce your TI’s image quality, causing you to not see clearly. If you have to wipe your self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask, then you must also wipe the front lens and display screen lens of your TI, as they will also be affected. Keeping your TI low will help reduce moisture from convection currents, but continue to wipe the TI’s lenses to maintain visual clarity.
Cold Climate Condensation
Those who live in colder climate areas may have already experienced this. Cold climate condensation happens after your TI is charging nicely inside an apparatus sitting in a warm firehouse. The alarm goes off, and now you are rolling down the road in some frigid wintery temperatures to arrive on scene. Exiting the warm apparatus, your TI now becomes exposed to the cold temperatures, and as you make entrance into the burning building, the TI warms up, causing immediate condensation on the two lenses and SCBA face piece. Again, take a few second pause for the three-lens wipe!
1 An SCBA face piece full of condensation requiring a wipe plus TI lenses. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)
TI Care and Maintenance
After each response, do not overlook routine cleaning and servicing, as cancer mitigation is high on every fire department’s mandate. Do not place your sooty and contaminated TI back into the charger inside the cab of your fire apparatus without decontaminating it and giving it a thorough cleaning.
Follow your TI manufacturer’s specifications for care and maintenance and ensure that users fully understand how to clean and maintain it. Your personal protection from self-contamination is a must. Wear disposable surgical type gloves before you clean the outside of your TI. Use mild soap or detergent and a clean, soft cloth with water to wash your TI and wipe the display and front lens. To help remove stubborn stains, use cleaning products such as Fantastik, Lysol, and isopropyl alcohol. Do not use any solvents or paint thinners, as these could damage or degrade the outer case or display lens.
Although there are no user-serviceable parts inside any TI, there are some components that certain TI manufacturers will allow an end user to service. If your TI can be field serviced, reach out to your local equipment distributor or TI manufacturer for further details.
2 Three out of four screws that allow for screen removal and replacement.
Heavily scratched and deeply gouged display screens on certain TIs can be field replaced, while some have to go back to their respective manufacturers for service. A simple display screen replacement is as easy as removing either four or six screws, but first ensure that you have the correct parts and tools required prior to servicing your TI.
Test your batteries often to ensure they maintain a proper charge and run according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Replace the battery for anything shy of the TI’s published run time specifications.
To test your batteries, turn your TI on and place it on your seat when you are conducting an apparatus and equipment daily inspection (DI). On completing your apparatus DI, your TI should still be working unless it has a sleep mode. If it does, this method will not work properly. If your TI is not working on DI completion, then you will need to replace the battery.
A TI’s ability to provide the end user with proper information is only as good as your understanding that this tool has some basic cleaning and maintenance requirements. Like all equipment used in your fire department, do not forget to provide basic service for your TI.
Manfred Kihn is a 19-year veteran of the fire service, having served as an ambulance officer, emergency services specialist, firefighter, captain, and fire chief. He has been a member of Bullard’s Emergency Responder team since 2005 and is the company’s fire training specialist for thermal imaging technology. He is certified through the Law Enforcement Thermographers’ Association (LETA) as a thermal imaging instructor and is a recipient of the Ontario Medal for Firefighters Bravery. If you have questions about thermal imaging, you can e-mail him at manfred_kihn@bullard.com.
