Why Tactical TIC Use? Isn't it Just Point & Shoot?

As this course is taught across the country, we continue to find that the majority of firefighters are NOT aware that they should not use the spot temperature (the numerical temperature indicator located in the lower right corner of the viewfinder) for critical decision making. This spot temperature is known by many names in the Thermal Imaging world such as:

? DTM: Direct Temperature Measurement

? Spot Temperature

? Temperature Indicator

? Crosshair: “Indicated by an intersection vertical and horizontal line superimposed on the TIC Display” (Bullard Definitions)

It is important to note that this is an approximate measurement of a defined area and NOT the entire image. And this temperature is dependent upon many variables: the emissivity of the object, distance from the object, and atmospheric conditions. Notice the spot temperature in the image to the right. It is obviously hotter than 87 degrees Fahrenheit but the TIC is measuring the temperature of the concrete wall of the burn building within the cross hairs. 

In thermography, there is two types of thermal imaging studies: 

? Quantitative: this is typically in an industrial, medical, and or business setting where the thermographer is looking for exact temperature measurements of a specific object or area. This measurement is carefully taken and calculated based on the objects emissivity, reflectivity, and transmissivity. These values are manually entered into the TIC’s parameters to provide a more accurate temperature measurement.

? Qualitative: this is typically involving inspections or looking for an anomaly or a specific problem but not a specific measurement. This is more applicable to the fire service because it involves reading the entire color palette or image versus reading the spot temperature.

Firefighters who are properly trained in tactical thermal imaging learn to interpret the entire image within the TIC’s field of view. They understand the limitations of the TIC, that the resolution affects it’s temperature measurement, the distance to the target, and the emissivity all account for their ability to make an adequate assessment. Taking all of this into consideration helps firefighters to understand they are reading “apparent temperatures” which are approximates not exact measurements. The temperatures they are seeing are in actuality much hotter.

We have included a few examples of where the spot temperature would cause confusion in the photos below.

Keep learning and keep up the great work!

Instructor Andy Starnes 

Level II Thermography Certified

Insight Training LLC