Overview of FLIR Application Modes:
The FLIR KXX (K45, K55, and K65) series camera has five application modes. The first three application mode choices are highlighted in green and are designed/intended for fire usage. These application modes are dual-gain temperature modes meaning they switch from high to low sensitivity based on the amount of heat within the field of view of the device. Please see the attached infographic that explains the five application modes.
https://youtu.be/VC_qQx-hvcA?list=PL5UcFj45HlgesRs6Z93VONoLNhUn2CkZK
In the green application modes (TI Basic, Gray Scale, and Fire Mode) be aware that there is a delay when this change occurs from high to low sensitivity in these models. Firefighters have mistaken this for “white-out” due to a white grainy effect that occurs on the display as the device switches from high to low sensitivity. Please see the attached photo below from Insight Fire Training that illustrates this issue:
https://youtu.be/5nyurAAJvbU?list=PL5UcFj45HlgesRs6Z93VONoLNhUn2CkZK
The last two application modes are considered investigative modes and are highlighted in blue and are single gain (high sensitivity) only temperature modes. If these are used in high heat situations, the end user will experience saturation where the screen will show all red colorization and lose all detail for situational awareness.
The following information is an overview of the device and is not intended to replace hands on training with this device.
• TI Basic: This is the NFPA 1801 recommended color palette that all TICs are required to start up in this application mode. Any 2021 NFPA 1801 certified model will turn on in this mode but there will NOT be a spot temperature in the lower right-hand corner of the display. This feature has been removed from start-up due to the misuse of this feature being cited in three line of duty deaths.
Fire Service TICs are NOT thermometers and can be several hundred degrees off in temperature measurement. When using TI Basic, the color/temperature progression is from cold to hot in the following colors black-gray-white-yellow-orange-red. However, NFPA allows the manufacturer to decide when colorization engages as long as no more than 50% of the overall temperature range is gray scale. FLIR begins to show colorization when the TIC switches to Low Sensitivity Mode. This is indicated by a green triangle in the upper left-hand corner of the display. When this occurs, the TIC will freeze for 1-3 seconds and then you may see a white grainy effect prior to colorization engaging. This process occurs when 2% of the pixels reach 302 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 second of pixel saturation. We have attached a video explanation of this process in the following two videos:
https://youtu.be/wChLBhxFCK4 https://youtu.be/triLQIPqJGE
• Gray scale: All gray scale with no colorization. This is beneficial to end users who may be color-blind.
• TI Basic Plus (or Fire Mode in 2020 models and older): In the newer models, this is the same color palette as TI Basic but there will be two slight differences. There will be a plus icon in the lower left- hand corner indicating that the end user is outside of TI Basic, and the spot temperature is shown in the lower right-hand corner of the display.
• Search & Rescue Mode: This single gain application mode that has a maximum temperature range of 302 degrees Fahrenheit. This application mode has immense benefit to the company officer. It should be used early or late in the incident during low heat situations.
• Heat Detection Mode: colorizes the hottest 20% of the image. This feature is more useful in the inspection industry or for locating very low heat areas of concern. It is not recommended for use during fire attack.
The following video is a demonstration of a FLIR K55 viewing the same fire room but scrolling through the five application modes so the end user can see how the image changes:
The following video briefly explains each of these application modes:
https://youtu.be/fA1IMhODARw?list=PL5UcFj45HlgesRs6Z93VONoLNhUn2CkZK
The Benefits of Search & Rescue Mode on the FLIR KXX TIC:
The following five video(s) explain the benefits of the Search & Rescue Mode Application. This can be applied in any of the following models: FLIR: K2, K45, K55, and K65. The K2 requires this mode to be programmed using FLIR Configurator Software as these models only have one button”
From: Size-up, to Locating the fire, to Stream Placement, To Overhaul, To Search; Search & Rescue mode is the most useful and underutilized application feature of the FLIR KXX series devices. We have assisted thousands of firefighters in the use of this device and have hundreds of hours of burn time with the FLIR KXX. From our experience, an investigative application mode is extremely valuable to firefighters early in the incident during size up or locating the fire in low heat situations and it is extremely useful during overhaul or for searching for overheated areas.
This video is a broad overview of the benefits of Search & Rescue Mode:
https://youtu.be/nNXM_fiyVLQ?list=PL5UcFj45HlgesRs6Z93VONoLNhUn2CkZK
Classroom explanation of Search & Rescue Mode:
Explanation of Search & Rescue Mode by Mike Chapman:
Webinar explanation of Search & Rescue:
Video example of the benefits of Search & Rescue Mode:
And for a more detailed overview of the FLIR KXX series TIC, please see the following resource document on our website:
https://insighttrainingllc.com/news/own-a-flir-kxx-series-tic-check-out-these-resources/