Recognizing Rapid Fire Development

Описание: Failing to Recognize Worsening Fire Behavior Conditions?

Consider the way firefighters are taught to recognize the following:

Rollover
Flashover
Backdraft

In many of these trainings, firefighters are in a ventilation controlled environment with decent visibility.

They are then taught to look for flames over head, lowering of the neutral plane, and in many areas they are still advocating to use their body as a thermometer (feeling pain on their ears, shoulders, and in some extreme cases-they are advocating to peel back their glove to expose their skin to check temperatures!)

Unfortunately, in the environments firefighters face today, they cannot always rely on visible indications of the concepts they were taught to look for. And in many cases, these visible indicators are a late sign just as waiting to feel heat is a late sign due to increased TPP of our PPE.

What is missing from the training that could make a difference?

We need to take a proactive stance towards recognizing fire behavior indicators.

Once firefighters understand their thermal imaging camera in the following areas:

Resolution
Temperature Sensitivity Modes
Color/Temperature Correlation
Distance to Spot Ratio
Emissivity

They can then view the fire environment and combine thermal data to predict/prevent rapid fire development, thermal insult, and fire travel.

All of this and more can be done through the eyes of a well trained firefighter using a high resolution thermal imaging camera such as the Scott X380N in this video.

Notice the TIC switches from Medium Sensitivity Mode to Low Sensitivity Mode: The letter changes from M to L in the upper left hand corner of the display. The color bar or relative heat indicator on the right hand side now shows colorization engaging at 600 degrees instead of 400 degrees!

Notice the pyrolysis on the couch…
Notice the lowering thermal layer…
Notice the effects of the radiant feedback on the floor…
Notice how the color/temperature correlations change when it changes to Low Sensitivity Mode…

Learn more with Tactical Thermal Imaging & Insight Training LLC

Thank you for your support!

Instructor Andy Starnes
Insight Training LLC
Level II Thermography Certified