The benefit of thermal screening

1 June 2020 Security Services & Risk Management

As most businesses are already planning and implementing measures to stay operational, the unnerving reality of indefinite closure looms. Industries across the country face this incredibly challenging situation while many are taking proactive steps to secure their premises in new ways in order to protect their staff and customers while continuing business. These solutions can provide organisations with an additional layer of protection to their facility from increased exposure to the coronavirus.

Thermal screening cameras cannot be used to detect or diagnose an infection

An important distinction to make is that body temperature solutions are not a medical solution. They cannot identify the virus and they do not protect organisations or individuals from catching the virus. Thermal body temperature solutions are a tool that can support the critical early identification of a primary symptom of the disease by measuring skin surface temperature of a person. People who are identified as having an elevated skin temperature can then be further tested by medical professionals. The screening solutions provide a non-invasive method to check body temperature and can do this faster than handheld scanners, but importantly, at safer distances.


Wayne Louw.

How is this technology being applied in the field?

Thermal screening solutions require a specialised thermographic camera to automatically measure temperature differences in people entering the field of view. Blackbody devices will calibrate the temperature measurement in environments where the person has been exposed to the elements and to increase accuracy in readings. Analytics or AI will target the temperature reading onto the forehead for the most accurate reading which in turn will activate a pre-set tolerance threshold alarm to the operator. This is done by using facial detection (not recognition) technology to locate the forehead accurately. The blackbody calibration unit utilises a target object with a set temperature as a control. This is important in measurement where accuracy to +/-0,3°C is critical. Thermal screening provides an alarm when an object or person is detected with an elevated temperature compared against a set temperature value, typically 38°C.

Thermal cameras assisting with COVID-19

With the heightened awareness and initiatives to combat the virus, the demand for non-contact thermal screening has grown exponentially. Public open spaces such as airports, train stations, medical facilities and manufacturing have been quick to respond with effective rollouts and deployments across the country. The most common of which being strategic camera placement at entry and egress points to monitor foot traffic. Notably, up to 30 targets can be screened simultaneously at any point without having to stop.

Key benefits of a thermal screening solution

• Non-contact – Distances range from 1 m to 9 m depending on technology.

• Non-invasive – No need to physically stop a person to take a reading.

• No human error – Traditional thermometers require a user to discern between low or high temperatures. This is now determined via AI.

• No physical manpower – The system could essentially operate autonomously.

• Record keeping – Every alarm exception is captured and stored, offering sound corporate governance.

• Alarm notification – The necessary escalation can be predetermined by setting up the head end software.

What are the different hardware technologies?

The following non-contact Hikvision thermal screening cameras below are used to accurately detect differences in skin surface temperatures:

1. Handheld thermography camera – The handheld thermal camera is specially designed for body temperature measurement. It’s equipped with a 160×120 resolution thermal detector and is capable of discovering and tracking people with elevated body temperatures in crowded public areas. It supports Live View on PC, mobile device or external monitor.

2. Walk-through detector – The walk-through metal detector with thermal imagery technology utilises non-contact temperature measurement with face detection. An exception alarm will trigger the strobe light as well as an audible sound. It features a visible display with people counter, real-time temperature and number of alarms.

3. Facial recognition terminal – An access control terminal that uses both biometrics and thermal fever screening as identification and validation.

4. Fixed mounted cameras – A traditional form factor dome or bullet camera with thermal screening functionality. Able to measure object's temperature at a high accuracy in real time, it is able to target and track up to 30 people with higher body temperature among a crowded public area.


Credit(s)





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

SMARTpod talks to Armata’s Richard Frost
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Videos
SMARTpod, the podcast by SMART Security Solutions, recently spoke to Richard Frost from Armata about the company's new 'all-in-one' cybersecurity bundle designed to relieve cyber stress in the SMB market.

Read more...
Boost revenue streams for MNOS
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Financial (Industry)
ReveNet has introduced its new solution, designed to safeguard and potentially boost revenue streams in an increasingly challenging landscape for MNOS. The new platform combines advanced analytics and is built on trust, transparency, and sustainability principles.

Read more...
Risk-IO manages mining security risks
Zulu Consulting Security Services & Risk Management Mining (Industry)
[Sponsored] A local mining company with three large operations experienced increased security costs. The liability included no standardised risk assessment, poor management of the efforts to mitigate hazards, and unauthorised access with subsequent theft. The reactive approach to security was not only expensive but also wasteful in the sense that the costs were poorly managed, and there were no metrics to show improvement or trends in incidents.

Read more...
NIS2 compliance amplifies skills shortages and resource strain
Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
A new Censuswide survey, commissioned by Veeam Software reveals the significant impact on businesses as they adapt to this key cybersecurity directive, with 95% of EMEA businesses siphoning other budgets to try and meet compliance deadline.

Read more...
Physical security technology trends to watch in 2025
Technews Publishing News & Events
There are some exciting developments and significant changes, some technical and some operational, taking place in the market that security professionals should be aware of as they plan for the year ahead.

Read more...
SA company develops world-first safe K9 training for drug detection
Editor's Choice News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Government and Parastatal (Industry)
The Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy recently announced the results of its scientific research into training dogs to accurately detect drugs and explosives without harming either the dogs or their handlers.

Read more...
Understanding South Africa’s Cybercrimes Act
Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
The Cybercrimes Act No.19 of 2020 is a comprehensive legislative response to the evolving landscape of cyberthreats in South Africa. Its effectiveness, however, relies on enforcement, which relies on implementation, international cooperation, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Read more...
Partnership addresses fire hazard mitigation
Brigit Fire (a Division of Hudaco Trading) Elvey Security Technologies Fire & Safety Security Services & Risk Management
Brigit Fire has partnered with the Elvey Group. The collaboration will see Brigit Fire distributing both the advanced C-TEC addressable fire detection systems (CAST Technology) and GreenMist lithium extinguishers.

Read more...
Fire safety in commercial kitchens
Technews Publishing Kestrel Distribution Products & Solutions Fire & Safety Commercial (Industry)
Fire safety in commercial kitchens is becoming increasingly critical. Defender is Europe’s first EN 17446:2021-approved kitchen hood fire suppression system and offers the indispensable safety measures required.

Read more...
Linear heat detection (LHD) from Technoswitch
Technews Publishing Technoswitch Fire Detection & Suppression Products & Solutions Fire & Safety
SecuriHeat LHD by Securiton prevails where conventional fire detectors reach their physical limits. It copes well with extreme temperatures and constantly high atmospheric humidity, while precise measurements are also possible when corrosive gases and contaminated air are present.

Read more...