MSA has acquired ISI Group, Inc. (ISIG) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a leading developer of infrared thermal imaging cameras (TICs) used for firefighting and industrial predictive and preventative maintenance.

"The acquisition," according to John T. Ryan III, MSA chairman and chief executive officer, "substantially enhances MSA's existing line of infrared thermal imaging cameras and integration capabilities, and strategically positions MSA to seize new sales opportunities in one of the fastest growing high-technology areas of safety."

According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics, more than 30,000 U.S. fire departments respond to more than 2 million fires each year. Firefighters who cope with very demanding conditions and severely reduced visibility benefit from infrared thermal imaging, a technology that allows them to see through the heavy smoke. It's a crucial piece of life-saving equipment.

Besides firefighting applications, infrared thermal imaging cameras are used for predictive and preventative maintenance in a growing number of manufacturing and industrial plants.

As the automotive industry, power generation utilities, and petrochemical plants all strive to keep operating costs low, infrared thermal imaging is increasingly being called upon to make early diagnoses of equipment problems. Some examples are: Detecting overheated circuits and switchgear, inefficient heat exchangers, worn bearings in running machines, and inspection of insulated vessels and pipelines.

The trend of using thermal imaging to improve plant safety for preventative cost avoidance will continue to accelerate as more plant supervisors see the benefits of using this technology.

Find TICs in SPN.
VideoThermŽ 1350 TIC
VideoThermŽ 2000 TIC
Evolution 4000™ TIC
Evolution 3000™ TIC