Top 4 Benefits of Thermal Imaging Technology

You’ve probably seen thermal imaging technology in action—abstract photos of human silhouettes radiating green, yellow, orange, and red hues. While thermal imaging has become somewhat of a buzzword in recent months, the technology has existed for decades. Not to be confused with a night vision camera, thermal imaging systems were originally developed for military use during the 1950s. Since then, thermal imaging has evolved beyond military surveillance, with expanded usage in many industries. From firefighters and law enforcement to powerline supervision and perimeter surveillance, thermal imaging technology has come a long way in the past 70 years.  

As uses for thermal imaging expanded across industries, the technology experienced a consistent rate of growth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In February of 2020, the global thermal imaging market was expected to grow from $3.4 billion in 2020 to $4.6 billion in 2023. That projection was accelerated considerably by the onset of COVID-19, as the presence of a fever was identified as the most common symptom experienced by those infected. As businesses look to the future, recovery efforts across all industries have boosted thermal imaging.  So, how exactly does thermal imaging camera keep your workplace safe? Here are the top four benefits of thermal imaging surveillance camera systems.

How do they work?  

Thermal imaging cameras detect temperatures by capturing different levels of infrared light radiating off an object. The infrared light is invisible to the naked human eye but can be detected as heat. All objects, human or otherwise, typically emit some infrared heat—the warmer the object is, the higher the infrared radiation frequency can be seen on camera. 

Simple Installation and Readings   

The system itself requires little maintenance, and the quick installation process is designed to minimize downtime. Installing the system indoors, away from direct sunlight or any wind sources such as A/C vents, to avoid any misreads. Outdoor instillation is also possible, as long as the system is installed within an enclosure that blocks sunlight from affecting temperature reads. Following installation, the system can begin conducting scans in seconds, with no delays or required training. 

The initial software set up is easy and customizable. You can choose your temperature parameters, whether it reads °F or °C, and how you are notified if someone exceeds the temperature threshold. As soon as an individual passes through the screening site, the monitor will display the individual’s temperature with a pass/fail alert. Pass/fail alerts can come in whatever form you prefer—text, email, or an alarm.

The high capacity solution, suited for high traffics areas, has a dual camera that can read up to 15 individuals at a time.  The commercial kiosk solution, better suited for lower foot traffic area, can read up to 3 individuals in a single passing. With readings delivered remotely within .02 seconds, there is no need to worry about dedicating staff to monitor the system.

Technology that Works  

Without exception, businesses are prioritizing the health and safety of their employees and customers as they return to the workplace. Thermal imaging has a long track record of reliability for skin temperature measurement screening, backed by studies and tests from years of the application’s global deployment. SumnerOne built this solution because it reflects our customers' needs, both from a health and safety standpoint, and with consideration to resuming business operations as smoothly as possible. Quick installation, as well as the ability to detect elevated surface temperature with an accuracy rate of up to 0.3 °C make SumnerOne’s thermal imaging offerings provide precise temperature measurements to protect employees without disrupting workflow.

Aside from human temperature detection, the system can conduct heat mapping, people counting, face mask detection, license plate recognition, and, more importantly, artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition software. The AI technology also allows users to store up to 300,000 unique records and includes a Network Video Recorder (NVR) selection with up to 16 channels. The NVR provides daily analytics and synchronized real-time playback with smart search.  

Enables Social Distancing   

Social distancing is another critical factor when deciding which thermal solution is best for your company. Many businesses are introducing rules and regulations per CDC guidelines that advise maintaining 6 feet of distance from any individual in the workplace. That becomes difficult when tasked with checking someone’s temperature. While handheld devices would typically suffice for low foot traffic areas, they do not comply with social distancing requirements. SumnerOne’s thermal security solutions deliver the same performance as a temporal thermometer without close human contact or active system supervision.

Meets FDA guidelines  

As companies develop and implement their return to work strategies, important lessons have been learned about investing in health and safety technology. While thermal imaging has been deployed globally for years, using the application for human temperature detection is a relatively new concept. Many thermal imaging companies offer systems designed to meet their market’s needs without meeting the necessary standards outlined in the FDA’s guidelines. SumnerOne is proud to provide solutions that are in line with FDA guidelines and meet the required initial body temperature assessment specification for safe and effective deployment.   

As companies prioritize the health and safety of their workplace and employees, SumnerOne is here to help. Contact SumnerOne today to discuss how you can keep your business safe and protected.