Performance Metrics for Fire Fighting Thermal Imaging Cameras: Small- and Full-Scale Experiments.
Performance Metrics for Fire Fighting Thermal Imaging
Cameras: Small- and Full-Scale Experiments.
(2643 K)
Amon, F. K.; Bryner, N. P.; Lock, A.; Hamins, A.
NIST TN 1499; NIST Technical Note 1499; 85 p. July
2008.
Sponsor:
Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
Keywords:
cameras; thermal imaging; fire fighting; experiments;
fire fighters; first responders; fire departments;
standards; NFPA 1801; surveys; test facilities;
performance metrics; test methods; FT-IR; fire hoses;
temperature effects; smoke; thermal sensitivity;
uncertainty
Abstract:
Thermal imaging cameras (TIC) are becoming an important
tool for many firefighters and other first responders.
However, due to the lack of performance standards for
TIC, a wide variety of designs and capabilities are
provided to end users with little consistency in
reported performance. In order to understand the
performance characteristics of TIC during fire fighting
applications, it is critical that a set of performance
metrics and standard testing protocols be developed to
allow the fire service to evaluate TICs. The National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been
conducting research to characterize and understand TIC
performance. This work began with an assessment of the
thermal imaging needs and activities of first
responders. Existing standards were collected and
reviewed to ensure that the recommended testing
conditions in this work are consistent with standards on
other first responder equipment that are exposed to
similar operating conditions, as well as standards and
test protocols on infrared cameras that are used in
other applications, when appropriate. A survey of the
literature was also performed to explore existing work
in which the fire environment was well characterized and
pertinent to TIC testing. The consolidation of all of
this information, e.g., first responder feedback,
literature search, and full- and bench-scale testing
results, provided a basis for defining testing
conditions that challenge TIC in meaningful ways.
Performance metrics that describe TIC image contrast,
effective temperature range, spatial resolution, image
nonuniformity, and thermal sensitivity were selected or
developed, based on an analysis of the information
gathered. These imaging performance metrics and test
methods have been provided to standards development
organizations, such as National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) and ASTM International. NFPA's
Technical Committee on Electronic Safety Equipment has
incorporated these metrics and test protocols in a draft
version ofNFPA 1801, Standard on Thermal Imagers for the
Fire Service, which is currently in the public proposal
phase.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899