Johnson Controls releases Tyco Illustra Pro Thermal EST, highly accurate, contactless skin temperature scanning solution

Johnson Controls, a globally renowned company in creating smart buildings solutions and helping reopen buildings, as part of the ‘new normal’ in COVID-19 pandemic period, announced the launch of its smart elevated skin temperature scanning solution, the Tyco Illustra Pro Thermal EST.

A healthy and safe environment starts with a holistic approach that encompasses not only a building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) infrastructure, but adds temperature screening among protocols including contact tracing, frictionless entry and exits, and the practice of social distancing.

Tyco Illustra Pro Thermal EST

The Tyco Illustra Pro Thermal EST is a contactless and highly accurate solution that will be another tool in the first line of defence for building owners and operators as part of their pandemic safety measures.

At the heart of the Johnson Controls’ smart elevated skin temperature scanning solution is the Tyco Illustra Pro Thermal EST camera, which provides rapid scanning at accuracy levels that exceed standards set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), as tested and confirmed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

In addition, the solution has been designed to meet the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (USFDA) April 2020 Enforcement Policy for Telethermographic Systems.

Skin temperature scanning

Advanced facial detection technology and rapid scanning quickly alert operators to elevated skin temperature reading

Skin temperature scanning is done while people continue to walk. Embedded, advanced facial detection technology and rapid scanning times quickly alert operators to an elevated skin temperature reading.

People don’t need to stop or be approached by operators. This helps to reduce crowding and contributes to a contactless building entry experience for visitors and employees at businesses, schools, sporting and transportation venues, and other buildings.

Smart, sustainable building solutions

“How we interact with our environments, buildings and shared spaces has become top-of-mind as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a 135-year history of creating smarter, safer, more sustainable buildings, Johnson Controls has unmatched expertise, technology and the solutions to rethink our physical spaces at this critical time,” said Mike Ellis, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Digital Officer, Johnson Controls.

Mike adds, “This camera provides added measures in a rapid and contactless fashion. Johnson Controls is very proud to be providing a solution that not only meets, but exceeds IEC standards.”

The solution is equipped with the technical features for accuracy and rapid response:

• 5-megapixel color/thermal camera with built-in, AI-enabled face detection technology that isolates the forehead and performs a multi-point temperature measurement, accurate to within ±0.2ºC/0.4ºF, when deployed in compliance with proper installation and condition requirements.
• Blackbody temperature calibration device, with a 24-month calibration certificate, for sustained accuracy.
• Customisable, real-time alerts for local or remote monitoring via a browser or through compatible video management systems.
• Integration with other security systems, such as an access control solution that can automatically prevent the person from further access.

Using secondary evaluation methods

Elevated skin temperatures identified by the solution should be confirmed with secondary evaluation methods, such as clinical thermometers.

Temperature measurements should not be solely or primarily relied upon to diagnose or exclude a diagnosis of COVID-19, or any other disease. Pro Thermal EST should be used to measure only one individual’s temperature at a time, in accordance with FDA guidelines.

The Tyco Illustra Pro Thermal EST is now available for sale in the United States and will be released globally in phases.