Comparison of the measurement results of large scale Façade fire tests using ir thermography and thermocouples

Abstract

In this paper the effectiveness of using a high temperature range, microbolometer infrared (IR) camera for the study of large scale façade fire tests will be investigated. The long-wave microbolometer camera has the ability to measure temperatures but the smoke and the flames itself influence the measurement results. This is due to the absorption of the infrared radiation by both smoke and flames while at the same time they emit radiation due to their high temperatures. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the usefulness of an IR camera when studying large scale façade fire tests. The problems are difficulties in verification how representative measurements are and consequently it is not clear and sure if conditions for reliable measurements are really fulfilled. The measurement results acquired by the IR camera will be compared to the measurement results acquired by the thermocouples 1 mm, 3 mm in diameter and plate thermometers.