Evaluation of Thermal Imaging Cameras Used in Fire Fighting Applications

Published

August 1, 2004

Author(s)

Francine K. Amon, Anthony P. Hamins

Abstract

Thermal imaging cameras are rapidly becoming integral equipment for first responders for use in burning structures. Currently there are no standardized test methods or performance metrics available to the users or manufacturers of these instruments. The Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing a testing facility and methods to evaluate the performance of thermal imagers used by fire fighters to search for victims and hot spots in burning structures. The facility will test the performance of currently available imagers and advanced fire detection systems, as well as serve as a test bed for new technology. An evaluation of the performance of different thermal imaging detector technologies under field conditions is also underway. Results of this project will provide a quantifiable physical and scientific basis upon which an industry standard for imaging performance, testing protocols and reporting practices related to the performance of thermal imaging cameras can be developed. The background and approach that shape the evaluation procedure for the thermal imagers are the primary focus of this paper.

Proceedings Title

Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling and Testing XV

Volume

5407

Issue

34

Conference Dates

April 14-15, 2004

Conference Title

Proceedings of SPIE

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

evaluation, fire fighting, infrared camera, performance metrics, thermal imager

Citation

Amon, F. and Hamins, A. (2004), Evaluation of Thermal Imaging Cameras Used in Fire Fighting Applications, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling and Testing XV (Accessed April 17, 2024)