Heat Flux using Infrared Thermography over Surfaces (HFITS)

Developed by research engineers at the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, Heat Flux using Infrared Thermography over Surfaces (HFITS) is an open-source software tool that supports measurements of two-dimensional heat flux fields using infrared thermography and a metallic plate sensor. This technique enables heat flux measurements at a greater spatial resolution than traditional point sensors. By enabling high resolution two-dimensional heat flux measurements, HFITS broadens access to advanced thermal analysis techniques for engineering and research applications.

HFITS consists of two main components: pre-processing of infrared thermogram sequences (obtained from heat transfer experiments), and inverse heat transfer analysis (to deduce heat flux over the planar surface in those experiments). The software offers comprehensive functionalities, including support for custom thermogram formats, metadata handling, a graphical interface for the selection of regions of interest, the ability to import additional temperature measurements to enhance convective heat transfer estimates, and the exporting of both computed field data and contour videos.

FSRI Study: Characterizing Heat Flux to Walls From Fires

HFITS is used to support the Heat Transfer and Fire Damage Patterns on Walls for Fire Model Validation research project. Large-scale experiments were conducted in which a free-standing wall was exposed to fire sources under controlled conditions. Researchers used HFITS to obtain detailed measurements of heat flux over the exposed surface of the free-standing wall.

FSRI Study: Measuring Thermal Exposures from Burning Electric Vehicles

In the Fire Safety of Batteries and Electric Vehicles research project, one objective is to investigate the thermal exposure risks to individuals who may be present during an EV fire, and to nearby structures or other vehicles. During experiments, large plate sensors with infrared cameras were placed on each side of an electric vehicle to enable the measurement of incident radiant heat flux to those locations. 

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