At Vantage Systems we make sure we keep up to date with the latest in security technology and our focus is always in delivering the best security solutions for our clients. However, this doesn’t only include security from theft or damage. With the recent Pandemic affecting everyone, everywhere around the World in some form or another, it has now become necessary for businesses, particularly retail and customer focused companies, to engage and install protective solutions for staff and a preventative process against the Coronavirus.
In most instances this has been to implement mandatory mask-wearing or 2m social distancing within the property, or insisting on outside queues to manage footfall at any one time. Although these measures have been relatively effective, there is a better solution which provides accurate and real-time results to ensure safety.
Thermal Screening
We now have the additional protection of thermal screening technology to immediately assess whether a customer or worker has a high temperature. Many retailers and factories are starting to implement this hardware and we now offer installation of the Hikvision thermal screening which are designed to detect skin-surface temperatures in public areas. This screening technology offers a quick method of checking individual’s temperatures and core body temperatures easily and efficiently.
In this current Pandemic in particular, this product offering is vital for ensuring the safety of staff and other customers whilst on your property. There are certain elements to take into account with regards the setup and also what you should do upon detecting a higher than optimal temperature.
Install and Operation Tips
- Set up in an indoor environment (preferably without a draft)
- Ensure the system is not being obstructed by anything (stairs, curtains, display stands)
- Place it directly in front of or as near to the entrance to your property
- Upon detection of higher than normal temperature, advise the individual to leave the property and to seek a proper temperature check using a thermometer (or to book a medical appointment immediately and/or isolate)
- Further confirmation is needed to determine official condition (as per Government guidelines regarding the Coronavirus)
Types of Screening Packages
There are a few different packages depending on your needs but the turret/Bullet camera is the standard set up which includes a turret camera with AI detection which can determine other heat sources to identify real temperature spikes and to differentiate between different heat sources.
The same package is available but with a Blackbody Calibrator which offers the same setup but with a calibrator unit to increase accuracy from +0.5C to +0.3 degrees Centigrade.
Alternatively, the tripod and bracket setup with a laptop may not be suitable for every scenario and so the Handheld camera is a good option for flexibility and connectivity to a PC or phone for more mobile use on your property.
Applications
The Coronavirus has changed the way we operate around the World, from travel to business and retail but these temperature camera systems had been used before the Pandemic in some countries. With so many useful applications available we knew it was important for us to provide these product packages to our customers.
Applications include:
- Airports
- Railway Stations
- Government Buildings
- Landmarks
- Schools
- Offices
- Military Installations
- Shops and Shopping Centres
- Hospitals and Medical Facilities
- Factories
These thermal systems can literally be installed across any facility that needs instant scanning to determine whether someone’s temperature is above the ideal metric. Ultimately, because of the Coronavirus this has made these systems significantly more popular across multiple industries and so demand has increased with retailers, factories and businesses across the UK.
Coronavirus Complications
Airports in particular have been quick on the uptake and installation of these systems and in general, they have adopted a big rollout of thermal cameras to help identify anyone with a raised temperature as they move through the airport. Of course, as science advisors and the Government have noted, these cameras cannot stop the spread of the virus but will only identify those with elevated temperatures and allow the airports to dictate whether someone can then continue to fly. In practice this enables greater control of reducing the risk of potential carriers getting on a plane and of course travelling to other countries. In reality though this doesn’t provide a 100% catch-all solution as some individuals may have elevated temperatures for any number of reasons, including medication, stress or other factors.
As discovered by various studies, thermal scanners are useful only for the immediate notification of high-temperature individuals. However, because a high temperature could be caused by a number of things, it is not accurate as a fool-proof solution and we know that the disease can incubate and be present for up to two weeks before showing symptoms, including a fever so this causes further complications in authorities deciding how to proceed with a flagged individual.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, thermal camera scanning technology was not built for a Pandemic, however, in most cases, for businesses, retailers, high footfall areas and busy public locations, they are ideal for initially identifying individuals with a high temperature. This is what most shops, restaurants, business locations and public spaces are going to want to know moving forward to at least flag and decide whether someone should be denied entry, in order to help prevent a possible spread in the long-term.
