Training firefighters how to effectively use thermal imaging technology is extremely rewarding. During this training, I ask to use the department’s thermal imager (TI) to help me teach the class about the benefits of TI technology.
This gives me an opportunity to examine the department’s TI. Often, I am handed a TI that needs at least a good wipe down to clean off the soot and grime that has accumulated from everyday use. Sometimes, however, there is a TI that is so filthy that it requires a considerable amount of time to clean to get it back to its original condition. This scenario recently took place at one of my TI training sessions.
A fire chief had asked me to train his crew on why TI technology was so vital to firefighting. Also, he wanted me to inspect his TI, which was not performing the way it did when he first purchased it. When I saw the condition of the TI, it became clear to me that the performance issues cited by the chief were from firefighter neglect. Certainly, this was not intentional neglect by the crew. This crew never thought about cleaning the TI after each call.
Think about the abuse a TI gets when you take it into a structural fire. That same soot, carbon, and grime that you wash off you and your gear after a call is embedded into your TI. After every call, you need to clean and check your TI so it is ready for the next call.
A TI is the most overlooked tool in a firefighter’s arsenal when daily and weekly checks are performed at the station. Have you ever cleaned the lens or display cover of your TI? On some TIs, you can easily unscrew the display cover and wipe the soot and dirt from it. Do you check your TI’s battery life? Checks should be performed daily or weekly on your fire apparatus to be sure every feature is performing correctly. You always check your self-contained breathing apparatus before and after each use, so why not your TI?
MAINTENANCE PLAN
After my visit with this fire chief, I thought it would be helpful to share with you a TI maintenance plan for keeping this tool on-call and ready to deliver the best service in the most critical situations.
1 Using a cleaning wipe on a TI. (Photo courtesy of Bullard.)
First, always inspect the outside of the TI for damage and cleanliness. Keeping your TI clean means the surface of your TI should look shiny. The reason is not because you want to show off your TI but because the shinier the TI surface, the more radiant heat the TI will reflect rather than absorb. Excessive soot buildup will lead to higher absorption of radiant heat and will affect how long the TI may run in extremely hot environments. All you need to clean your TI is soap and water. Any dish detergent you have at the station will clean your TI. If you have stubborn stains, isopropyl alcohol is a good option for eliminating those stains. Never use straight bleach or hydrocarbon-based solvents on your TI because they can damage the housing or rubber seals.
Next, visually inspect for cracks in the outer shell and any separation of external components. It is also important to inspect all rubber or neoprene, checking for pliability, crumbling, tears, or other visible damage. Cracks, separations, or damaged seals are common causes for water intrusion into the TI. All TIs are IP67 rated (waterproof for 30-minute immersions in three feet of water) or better, but water intrusion is a concern because it can lead to costly repairs. Inspecting your TI after each call is the best way to keep it in working condition.
Third, look at the lens or window at the front of your TI. It is very important that the lens or window remains clean and free from dirt so the image quality is not affected. The fire chief who said his TI was not performing well had stains on his TI’s lens, which directly affected his image quality. This buildup can reduce the amount of thermal energy getting into the TI, reducing overall picture quality as well as creating a blurry image. Cleaning this area of the TI is not easy, so if you are having image quality issues, call your manufacturer to ask which cleaners to use. In severe cases, replacing the lens may be your only option.
Once you have cleaned and inspected your TI, it is important to perform battery checks on your unit to ensure that, when needed, your battery life is full. TIs all come with different battery technologies ranging from nickel metal hydride to lithium ion and lithium iron phosphate. Batteries in certain TIs can run seven to eight hours. When researching this, determine initial operating run times and the number of cycles for which TI batteries are rated. Batteries with higher cycle life ratings will, under typical conditions, last longer.
The potential lifespan of your TI batteries will depend on your preventive maintenance plan and how often the TI is used in the field. If you use your TI multiple times a day, the life of your batteries may average about one year. If you use it only a few times a month, you may not need to replace the batteries for two or three years. How often a TI is used, in what kind of temperature extremes, and how batteries are charged and maintained will all impact battery performance. At least once a month, be sure to verify that the battery contacts on the batteries and the TI are free from corrosion. Also, be sure to check that the battery chargers are corrosion free on all contacts and are operating correctly.
Finally, be sure to turn on and check your TI weekly. This sounds easy, but some departments will go a couple of weeks without using their TI. You want to be sure your TI is in focus. Focal distance for most is approximately three feet to infinity. If an object 10 to 15 feet away appears blurry, then it is possible that the focus needs to be adjusted. This is rare, but it can happen. Next, check the TI for clarity. Here you are looking for any noise in the image. Noise looks like background static. It is typically fixed and does not change location as the TI moves. Temperature measurement should also be checked. Does the color activate as expected? Does the TI shift from high gain to low gain appropriately? You can evaluate temperature measurement by pointing your TI at a gas stove or grill. If you have other features on your TI or attached accessories, check them as well.
Your TI is exposed to the harshest environments from water to frequent drops, which can result in gaskets or screws coming loose. Soot, carbon, and dirt commonly build up on the TI, its display cover, lens, or lens window, which can impact performance.
Daily or After Each Use:
- Ensure the unit is working properly.
- Insert a fully charged battery.
- If necessary, recharge the previous battery.
- Verify that all battery chargers are functioning properly.
- Verify that there are no signs of cracking or tearing on any of the rubber pieces and buttons on the unit.
- Using a damp cloth, clean off large pieces of debris.
Weekly:
- Clean the lens with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner.
- Clean the LCD display cover with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner.
- Verify all straps are in usable condition and properly secured.
- Check for cracks, holes, or other damage to the unit’s outer shell.
- Verify that the batteries do not show physical signs of damage.
Monthly:
- Check the tightness of all external screws, especially those connecting the LCD display cover. Do not overtighten.
- Cycle each battery fully by using a conditioner or by fully charging and draining the battery. Ensure that one battery is always fully charged for use at an incident.
- Using a damp cloth and a mild cleaner, clean the outer shell of the unit.
- Verify that the battery contacts on the unit are corrosion-free.
- Verify that the battery chargers are corrosion-free on all primary contacts.
Spending a little time each week maintaining your TI will ensure that it stays operational and productive. Check with your TI’s manufacturer for specific recommendations for maintaining it, and if at any time your TI shows signs of damage or is not functioning properly, arrange for proper servicing. Your TI is a life-saving tool that needs to function properly when called on.
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.
