Evaluation of Image Quality of Thermal Imagers Used by the Fire Service.
Evaluation of Image Quality of Thermal Imagers Used by
the Fire Service.
(2027 K)
Amon, F. K.; Lock, A.
NIST TN 1630; NIST Technical Note 1630; 32 p. February
2009.
Keywords:
thermal imaging; fire departments; fire fighters;
evaluation; cameras; test methods; NFPA 1801;
temperature; thermal sensitivity; human beings; fire
hazards; specifications; equations; uncertainty; surface
temperature
Abstract:
This document reports on the test results of an
evaluation of the image quality of thermal imaging
cameras used by the fire service. The test methods used
were consistent with the image quality test methods
included in Draft National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) 1801 Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire
Service. These tests measured the nonuniformity, spatial
resolution, effective temperature range, and thermal
sensitivity of fire service thermal imagers. Images used
for these tests were collected using a high resolution
visible camera focused on the thermal imager's display
while the thermal imager viewed a variety of thermal
targets. The laboratory test results were evaluated in
terms of a multivariate model of human perception, which
was based on tests conducted on firefighters viewing
thermal images of representative scenes in which a fire
hazard may be present.
