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| High resolution thermal imaging have increased applications such as remote and long distance monitoring |
Thermal imaging is forcing rapid change to the security industry worldwide according to thermal imaging technology specialist Irisys. It’s possibly the most disruptive technology for thirty years and it’s being accelerated by lower price points and technology advancements.
Go back just 5 years and the use of thermal imaging in security was rare. Price kept a lid on growth and the technology applications were specialised. Today, increasing numbers of new projects include a specification for thermal imaging in requests for proposals (RFPs) and tenders.
We map out the 7 trends and explain why thermal imaging has become a game changer.
1. Low price points extend use into everyday commercial applications and CCTV
320 x 240 and 384x288 resolutions are now at a price point which means that thermal imaging cores are increasingly being included in dual CCTV (video and thermal) and commercial applications. Over the past 24 months the costs of the thermal core have dramatically reduced which has seen increasing demand for thermal imaging to be included in a variety of applications.
2. High resolution fuels new applications and provides OEMs differentiation
The introduction of 640 x 480 resolutions has increased the number of applications including remote and long distance monitoring. Equally a lower price point has made high resolution thermal more affordable and practical and OEMs are starting to introduce the technologies into specifications as a way of differentiating their products and solutions.
3. Integrated solutions are on the increase
It’s not just dual vision cameras that are being integrated. Specialists like Synectics, who operate in oil & gas, high security government and military sites, and marine, are looking to integrate radar into their security solutions to allow distant encroachments to be first identified by radar and then monitored on approach by thermal imaging.
Other integrations are expected with OEMs seeking new ways of combining standard technologies into increasingly complex and innovative solutions
4. Changes in skills and competition for OEMs and specifiers
Increasing numbers of OEMs are looking to use thermal imaging cores. However, this is leading to the need for new skill sets; advising on installations and specifications – and the introduction of new applications which require increasing specialism in housings (e.g. explosive protection, extreme weather conditions) and the siting of cameras.
OEMs and installers will need to get used to longer lead times for contract bidding and installations as they get increasing opportunities for complex and specialist sites and build programmes. Even in commercial applications the industry will need to learn how to talk about thermal with confidence and authority.
In addition, increased demand naturally brings with it increased competition. Companies will need to find new ways of adding value to their tenders and services through experience, advice and integrations.
5. A changing world leads to changing needs (e.g. terrorism threats and remote)
The world is continuing to change. Terrorist threats to a larger number of sites including oil & gas, utilities, chemical plants, government etc will continue to fuel demand for thermal imaging cameras. Paul Webb, Synectics who has been specifying thermal for such sites for nearly ten years observes: “With installations in the middle of deserts, remote locations, oil platforms and refineries you don’t want to light the site and attract unnecessary attention to yourself – but you do need to know if anyone or anything is approaching.
Thermal imaging is now at a price point which makes protection from terrorist threat with the use of thermal imaging increasingly practical in a wide range of applications.”
6. Safety pairs with security
Security and safety is being treated with the same specification. Monitoring of people movement in a building including applications like detecting tailgating can later be turned into a fire monitoring and evacuation control system to check for blocked and congested doorways and corridors.
Explosion doesn’t just come from military or terrorist activities; it can come from fire and chemical reactions. Thermal imaging can contribute to site safety and management activities for crisis management and disaster control.
7. Low environmental impact
Thermal imaging means you can switch the lights off – and still maintain security control of borders and perimeters. Increasing energy costs and the need to reduce energy usage for environmental reasons makes thermal imaging a viable option at its new price point and can offer faster ROI with reduced number of camera positions and installation.
James Longcroft, business development manager at Silent Sentinel commented: “Thermal imagers are a cost effective way of providing long range detection as well as offering night vision capabilities. Demand has increased year on year since we introduced the technology 4 years ago.
“The use of thermal cameras within the CCTV sector will increase significantly over the coming years and even mainstream manufacturers now offer a thermal option. As the market becomes aware of the benefits of the benefits of 640 cores, the sale of high resolution cores will increase due to availability and cost.”
Eric Nascimben, manager, at France-based Exavision said: “The main reasons end users are adopting thermal imaging over other technologies according to our customers is best 24/7 detection technology for video surveillance applications, good results in harsh environments, for example fog, smoke and rain, and results are not affected by the illumination conditions of the surroundings.”
Andrew Rimmer, divisional director - thermal imaging, Irisys said: “thermal imaging has become a disruptive technology in the security market. Every day new applications emerge and the benefits of the technology and the way we have been able to drive down the entry level price point mean that thermal is not just adding new value to the market, but is also starting to take market share from existing markets like CCTV video surveillance.”
Thermal imaging has demonstrable advantages for a growing number of applications for the security sector. Irisys thermal imaging sensors are used to provide data intelligence for:
- Perimeters: Irisys thermal imaging cameras can detect body heat up to 4km away, regardless of lighting conditions
- Marine: Navigation at night or in fog, man overboard, piracy and security protection are just some of the applications of thermal imaging for the maritime industry
- Borders: thermal imagers can accurately detect people passing through a restricted area
- Detection of ‘tailgating’ at secure access points
- Counting the number of people leaving a building in an emergency evacuation situation
