Fire Buyer International speaks with Flir’s Peter Dekkers on how the new K75 and K85 cameras enhance visibility, safety, and post-incident analysis
Firefighting has always demanded one essential capability, clear vision in chaotic situations. When dense smoke, heat and darkness obscure surroundings, seconds determine safety, rescue and containment.
In such conditions, the human eye is often incapable of meeting the challenge. Flames distort colour and perception, thick black smoke blinds even the most experienced crews.
Modern firefighting depends increasingly on technology that restores sight where its impossible for any to exist. Thermal imaging cameras (TICs) now stand alongside hoses, breathing apparatus and protective clothing as standard issue. They allow firefighters to see through smoke, identify hotspots and detect casualties in zero visibility.
Flir’s new K75 and K85 thermal imaging cameras take this principle further. Designed to enhance awareness and improve operational efficiency, they offer clarity, connectivity and reliability from the first call to the final cleanup operations.
As Peter Dekkers, Director of Business Development at Flir explains: “These latest models support every step of the mission – from call to cleanup, ensuring that firefighters remain equipped with crucial visual information at all stages of their work.”
The Changing Face of Firefighting
Modern fire incidents are more complex than ever. Lightweight construction materials, synthetic furnishings, electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery storage all burn differently to traditional fuels. They produce hotter, faster-moving and more toxic fires, often filling enclosed spaces with thick black smoke in seconds.
In such conditions, even entering a structure becomes hazardous. Visibility can drop to zero, temperatures can exceed 600°C, and crews may lose orientation. Without a reliable TIC, finding the seat of the fire or trapped occupants is often a matter of touch and instinct.
Flir’s new K75 and K85 have been developed to remove this uncertainty. Built for the extreme realities of modern fire behaviour, they provide immediate thermal images that reveal danger zones and safe pathways and victims, long before they are visible to the naked eye.
“The K75 and K85 are engineered for frontline firefighting with their rugged IP67-rated construction, 2m drop resistance, and outstanding high-heat performance,” Dekkers continues. “Our engineers have optimised these next-generation cameras for reliable thermal visibility in low-light, no-light and smoke-obscured environments.”
K-Series Evolution
Launched in September, the K75 and K85 continue Flir’s proven K-Series line of handheld TICs. Both are built for the toughest environments, featuring heat-resistant housings, simple one-handed operation, and exceptional image quality.
The K85 delivers Flir’s highest resolution in a firefighting camera (640 × 480 pixels) while the K75 provides a 320 × 240 sensor option with identical rugged design and functionality. The cameras’ new single-range dynamic gain ensures smooth and uninterrupted imaging, even during rapid temperature transitions.
“In earlier TICs, firefighters experienced momentary image freezing or delays as cameras switched between gain ranges when moving from cool air into extreme heat,” Dekkers explains. “The K-Series eliminates this problem. The single-range gain allows the device to reveal hidden dangers instantly, without any colourisation lag or interruption.”
This feature is vital when every second counts. A split-second delay could mean missing a flashover, a trapped person, or a sudden shift in fire dynamics.
Precision When It Matters
Firefighters use thermal imaging for much more than simply locating flames. A well-designed TIC assists in navigating confined structures, assessing roof stability, locating hidden fire spread behind walls or ceilings, and identifying exit routes.
The K75 and K85 feature multiple imaging modes that adapt to different stages of the operation. Search Mode highlights cooler details, allowing crews to locate people against the hot background of a fire room. Detection Mode accentuates heat signatures, helping to identify hotspots during overhaul or potential reignition points.
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