Introduction to Thermal CCTV Systems

What is the purpose of a thermal camera?
The main applications of thermal CCTV are:

Through preventing unauthorized access and criminal harm, law enforcement.
By identifying the early warning indications of high heat and a probable fire or explosion, loss prevention and fire risk reduction are achieved.

Aid in controlling the spread of illness.
In the dark, traditional CCTV security cameras are limited because possible attackers might hide behind objects to avoid being seen. Similar to how typical CCTV can only be used to monitor the outside world while monitoring industrial machines, A thermal camera can detect a buildup of heat, which is often the first indication of a problem and consequent fire danger, and may therefore provide an early warning of a possible hazard.

Surveillance of the perimeter
One of the drawbacks of employing traditional HD CCTV camera systems for perimeter monitoring is that intruders may elude detection if they chose to try to enter during periods of low light or by using camouflage techniques to hide their movements.

Critical infrastructure is often protected by top-notch 24-hour monitoring systems. The usage of thermal imaging CCTV cameras may give real-time intelligent video footage when possible attackers are attempting to obtain entry, which is very useful in high risk perimeter defense situations.

Monitoring of Equipment Temperature
Numerous methods used in research, development, and production include friction, heat tempering, testing materials at high temperatures, or the use of combustible substances such chemicals, gases, and liquids.

Many organizations depend on condition monitoring systems that employ temperature sensors and real-time thermal imaging as part of their risk management procedures since temperature is one of the most frequent indications of the structural health of equipment and components.

Many businesses have implemented thermal CCTV systems for equipment temperature monitoring in order to lower the danger of fire, avoid unanticipated failures, minimize system downtime, and maintain maximum production capacity.

Monitoring of Equipment Temperature

Using thermal imaging to find people with high body temperatures
While thermal imaging has long been used in agriculture to keep an eye on livestock for symptoms of illness to prevent disease spread and taint the food supply, its usage to measure body temperature in people has grown.

The worldwide Coronavirus outbreak struck Singapore in March 2020, putting the whole nation under lockdown for months. As a consequence, thermal imaging has becoming increasingly used to identify excessive body temperatures. This is because the thermal camera can detect individuals with increased temperatures from a safe distance and highlight them. This permits measures to be taken to isolate the individual so that it can be determined if their increased temperature was brought on by a fever. By using thermal CCTV, it is possible to alert the person that they could be unwell, which can assist stop the spread of an infectious illness.

Thermal CCTV systems are perfect for locating people who may be infected but are not yet aware of their symptoms (high temperature) since they enable real-time body temperature monitoring. The surveillance monitoring may be done from a secure region since Thermal CCTV cameras can sense heat from a distance.

Thermal CCTV systems are now seen as one of several preventive measures needed when firms resumed operations in accordance with government compliance standards to stop the spread of illness.

Thermal CCTV may be deployed where?
After the epidemic, numerous transportation hubs, including train stations, airports, and bus terminals, installed thermal CCTV cameras to screen passengers upon entry and leave.

Stand-alone body temperature scanning equipment was also put by building and company owners in foyers to check personnel as they entered and exited the structure.

To monitor production facilities and storage, thermal CCTV may also be deployed inside in factories and warehouses. Building walls, fences to monitor perimeters, outside parking places, and storage facilities are examples of external locations.

What distinguishes a thermal camera from an infrared camera?
The capacity of each to detect different types of heat waves and their sensitivity to the heat source, which dictates the sort of picture they may produce, are the key distinctions. As thermal CCTV is still a relatively new technology and consequently more expensive, pricing is another distinguishing aspect.

Thermal imaging cameras are heat detectors, not cameras in the traditional sense. They have a unique lens that concentrates heat or infrared radiation emitted by an object onto a heat-sensitive detector, producing a picture. As a result, thermal CCTV is not influenced by light and functions as well in both light and darkness. Something emits more thermal energy the hotter it gets. “Heat signature” refers to this thermal energy that has been released. No matter the illumination, a thermal camera can easily distinguish between two objects that are close to one another when their heat signatures are even slightly different.

Infrared or night vision cameras sense reflected light similarly to human eyes. The same fundamental idea underlies the operation of daylight cameras, night vision equipment, and the human eye: after striking something and reflecting off of it, visible light energy strikes a detector, which then collects it and converts it into a picture.

Heat may be seen with night vision or infrared, but the monitoring equipment will only provide an outline of the heat source. Because the temperature variation coming from the heat source is not “graded,” it is impossible to determine if it is at an excessive temperature and consequently poses a danger of fire.

Thermal cameras are able to distinguish minute changes in heat, often as little as 0.01°C, which are then shown as distinct shades of gray or colors that may also indicate the precise temperature so operators can determine if action is necessary.

The best way to choose a thermal CCTV system
Sadly, far too many company owners continue to wait for a theft or vandalism to happen before looking for an appropriate CCTV system. This is sometimes the case because insurers have made it a requirement of continued coverage.

Not only buildings in high-risk regions where the possibility of criminal or terrorist activity is present, but the majority of business buildings will benefit from having CCTV. Our article on how to pick a CCTV system can be helpful if you are thinking about installing a CCTV system.

In reality, the system specification will specify the kind of CCTV cameras to install when the business case for deploying them has been developed. Depending on the situation, this might either be a regular CCTV system, a thermal CCTV system, or, as is often the case, a combination of both.

Thermal CCTV cameras have certain drawbacks, such as low visibility in bad weather and worse picture quality when recording through glass compared to conventional HD cameras. To obtain excellent quality imagery, some CCTV cameras contain built-in technology that offers both possibilities, which the operator may choose to choose between. The area and assets that need CCTV monitoring will define the sort of CCTV camera to install. This will be decided during your security risk assessment.