How to scan a crowd for fever? Infrared thermography technology is the answer

People being displayed on a thermal camera

How to scan a crowd for fever? Infrared thermography technology is the answer

Infrared thermography technology can scan a crowd of people for the tell-tale COVID-19 symptom of fever. Available in South Africa, these heat tracking instruments can help both the public and private sector detect the virus among individuals in high-traffic areas รขโ‚ฌโ€œ and proactively prevent the spread of the disease.

What is infrared thermography?

Infrared thermography is a branch of science which detects, registers, processes and visualises the invisible infrared radiation emitted by objects.

Here’s how it works: Every object in nature with a temperature higher than absolute zero (-273.15) radiates infrared rays. The physical characteristic of infrared radiation contains temperature information.

Imaging equipment that relies on infrared thermography technology can absorb this radiation. These instruments then use photoelectric conversion and advanced algorithms to determine the temperature of the scanned object.

This is why automatic thermal temperature screening equipment, or thermal imaging cameras, can quickly measure body temperature from a distance.

What are the benefits of infrared thermography cameras for fever detection?

Zero initial contact

Thermal imaging equipment measures a person’s temperature without the need to be in close contact with them. Unlike forehead or mercury thermometers, these heat trackers scan objects from a distance. Testing personnel therefore never have to be very close to an individual to screen them for fever.

They can scan people up to six meters away

Because infrared body temperature screening instruments can measure temperature at a greater distance than other fever detection equipment, they can scan groups of people in large indoor spaces.

This means individuals don’t have to pass through a checkpoint to get screened, which eliminates unnecessary queues and enhances traffic flow to reduce the risk of infection.

Results are ready in real time

The software these systems use shows results in real time. This allows testing personnel to quickly and easily identify a person with a fever and approach them for further screening.

Automatic thermal temperature measurement and screening systems in South Africa

Improving access to this technology in South Africa, Uniview launched the TIC500 infrared body temperature fast screening instrument in the country in February 2020. This heat tracker is available from Eurobyte Technology (Eurobyte) to its resellers. Eurobyte also offers operator and installation training on the system.

The Uniview TIC500 system provides non-contact, real-time, continuous and accurate temperature measurement. The instrument comes as a ready-to-use packaged system, with all the required accessories included. Users only need their own computer, display, keyboard and mouse.

Key features of Univiewรขโ‚ฌโ„ขs TIC500 thermal imaging equipment

Each TIC500 package is made up of a dual-spectral thermal camera, tripod, system software and a blackbody, which acts as an environmental temperature source.

The TIC-500 is a dual camera, producing a thermal image resolution of 384 x 288 and another visual image with a resolution of 5MP. It measures a wide temperature range of 20ยฐC to 50ยฐC, operates at a recommended distance of three to 10m and is recommended for use indoors or in windless environments.

Its software provides personnel with a real time live view and supports the automatic capture of moving face targets. Its abnormal human body temperature alarm function can be connected to both sound and light alarms to attract the attention of testing staff.

The instrument uses a thermal sensor chip from French manufacturer ULIS, which is renowned for its advanced military applications. Its sensor is highly reliable, giving it an accuracy of ยฑ0.3.

A powerful initial COVID-19 screening tool for high-traffic areas

Several industries and environments can benefit from infrared thermography equipment like the TIC500, including:

  • Border entry points
  • Transportation hubs
  • Factories and mines
  • Public spaces like shopping malls
  • Large institutions like universities and large schools

Uniview’s thermal imaging product has a higher price point than direct contact or point contact thermometers and is therefore best suited to medium to large organisations.

While these heat trackers offer an effective way to scan for fever, they only serve as an initial COVID-19 detection measure. Once the equipment identifies a high temperature in an individual, testing personnel must follow a safe and humane protocol for isolating the affected person.

Because thermal scanners are not medical temperature measuring instruments, further screening of symptomatic individuals is vital. Visit the COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal for more information.

You can find out more about the TIC500 here.

Resellers can log in to order the product or contact the Eurobyte team for more information.

Not registered as a Eurobyte channel partner yet? Discover the benefits of becoming a Eurobyte dealer here.

You can also contact us to find your nearest reseller of this Uniview product.

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