Thermal imaging cameras (TIC) for firefighters used to be bulky, expensive and generally unreachable for small voluntary fire departments.
Fortunately, with the latest developments in thermal imaging technology, TICs like FLIR’s K50 camera, have become (Read More)
extremely attractive and affordable, even for small fire brigades. The fire department of the German city of Mühldorf has recently discovered the many benefits of FLIR’s firefighting camera.
The Mühldorf county fire department is a modern and professional team that takes the protection and security of its citizens very seriously. With an average of 3500 interventions per year, the several Mühldorf fire teams are responsible for a primary sector of 107,800 inhabitants, including Mühldorf county, as well as several adjacent communities.
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Affordable Thermal Imaging Cameras
“We tested several models and the FLIR K50 came out as the best. With a price level like this, a thermal imaging camera has become affordable for practically any community fire brigade.” comments District Fire Inspector Harald Lechertshuber.
Looking For Wounded And Missing Persons
Using a thermal imaging camera can be a very efficient way for firefighters to look for wounded or missing persons in places where the view is obstructed, or when you need to see through smoke. “Recently we had to move out for an intervention and look at a car wreck as a result of a traffic incident. Looking at the car wreck, we were not sure whether there were one or two people inside. After being able to free one person from the wreck, we used the thermal camera and quickly discovered a second person.” says Harald Lechertshuber
Thermal Imagers To Look For Fires
The Mühldorf county fire department also uses the FLIR K50 to look for fires that are not immediately visible for the human eye. Sometimes when a fire team arrives at the scene, it can be difficult to see how and where the fire has developed. “With the FLIR K50, we can see from the outside which places are hot and cold and have a perfect overview of the situation.” Also after a fire has been extinguished, a thermal imager can help assess the situation and allow firefighters to look for looming fire remains or for inadequately extinguished fires.
Flir K50 Firefighter Ir Camera
The FLIR K50 produces thermal images of 320 x 240 pixels with a 60Hz frequency and a temperature range from 32°F to 1202°F (0°C to 650°C). The camera has five imaging modes that help speed up tactical decisions and the search for survivors.
“The camera image is very stable, has a perfect resolution and the various imaging modes help us assess various situations much better. The camera gives clear temperature readings and the operation is very simple, as it should be with a firefighting camera. In fact, the operation of the FLIR camera is much easier and simpler than I have seen from any other camera out there in the market.
The total package of the camera is just right for a fire department like ours. I would not change a thing about it. Even in highly elevated temperatures of more than 250°C, the camera keeps on working perfectly. We currently make use of twelve thermal imaging cameras from FLIR in our county,” says Harald Lechertshuber.
For more information, please visit:
www.flir.com
