FLIR Infrared Cameras & Thermal Imaging announces a new range of thermal imaging cameras designed as a vital tool for firefighting applications.

A thermal imaging camera helps firefighters quickly visualise their plan of attack, locate hot spots, and save lives. With the introduction of the affordable FLIR K-Series, having a high performance thermal imaging camera on every fire truck has become more feasible.

FLIR’s K-Series thermal imaging cameras enable firefighters to see more clearly in the darkest, smokiest environments by showing big, bright images, helping them manoeuvre more strategically and find victims faster. By enabling greater situational awareness, the cameras improve safety and the likelihood of successful outcomes.

The FLIR K-Series thermal imaging cameras deliver clear and crisp thermal images using the maintenance-free uncooled microbolometer sensors, which help produce detail-rich images at 240 x 180 pixels (FLIR K40) or 320 x 240 pixels (FLIR K50 and K55). Thermal images are displayed on a large, bright 4-inch LCD screen, helping firefighters navigate easily and enabling them to make more accurate and timely decisions.

The new FLIR K55 thermal imaging cameras feature FSX Flexible Scene Enhancement, a new function that enhances thermal images through real-time digital processing inside the camera. The result is an ultra-sharp image that shows extraordinary structural, edge, and other instantly-recognisable detail, making it much easier for firefighters and rescue teams to find their way through dark and smoky environments, and be able to instantly identify targets in situations with extreme temperature dynamics.

The generous in-camera video storage in FLIR K55 thermal imaging cameras allows firefighters to save hundreds of still images just like the K40 and K50 models in addition to recording and storing up to 600 minutes of video in 5-minute clips. K55 videos can be useful for later analysis and training purposes. The videos can be directly played back from the in-camera archive or downloaded to a computer via USB.

Key features and benefits of FLIR K-Series thermal imaging cameras include extremely affordable pricing; rugged and reliable design to meet tough operating conditions; ability to withstand a 2m drop onto a concrete floor; IP67 rated for water resistance; fully operable up to +260°C for 5 minutes; easy to operate even with gloves on using 3 large buttons on top; intuitive and simple user interface; and thermal images saved to onboard archive for producing simple reports of event.