Is your perimeter security as strong as you think? Even the most advanced surveillance systems can be fooled.
Imagine a security system that can see through darkness, fog, and even the most deceptive camouflage.
Thermal cameras are the answer!
A system that can detect hidden threats before they become a reality. A system that operates tirelessly, day and night, providing an unwavering sentinel for your property.
Discover the top 3 reasons why you should consider using thermal security cameras to protect the perimeter of your organization.
Sirix has a lot of experience with perimeter security and uses thermal cameras at a variety of sites.
Here are 3 scenarios when investing in a thermal camera is a good idea to make your business safer.
Let’s dive right in.
How does a thermal camera work?
The thermal security camera detects heat radiated by the human body to identify persons.
The camera has an infrared-sensitive sensor.
When the thermal imaging sensor sees infrared radiation in its field of view, it renders an image that shows how hot different things are in the scene.
Because the human body gives off a lot of heat, people tend to stand out in thermal camera images.
As you can see in the image above, the human shape is easily recognizable among the other elements.
So, the thermal imprint left is obvious and easy for a security operator to find. Intruders are quickly spotted and deterred from entering your premises.
Why choose thermal cameras for perimeter protection?
When selecting a thermal camera for perimeter security, several factors come into play, such as detection range, image quality, analytics capabilities, and environmental conditions.
Let’s see how thermal cameras enhance security at your property perimeter:
- Day and Night Surveillance: They work equally well in total darkness, fog, or harsh weather conditions.
- Long-Range Detection: Thermal cameras can spot intruders from a considerable distance, giving you ample time to respond.
- Penetration through Obstacles: They can “see” through smoke, fog, or vegetation, ensuring no blind spots.
- Human Detection: Thermal cameras excel at distinguishing humans from animals or inanimate objects, reducing false alarms.
Types of Thermal Security Cameras:
A traditional CCTV camera equipped with thermal imaging technology offers a balance of cost-effectiveness and performance. You can choose from either a thermal IP camera or a PTZ camera.
Thermal IP Camera:
These are network-based cameras that provide high-resolution images, advanced analytics, and remote accessibility.
What more could you need? When an alarm is triggered by an intrusion, you can instantly access live footage through your mobile app, thanks to the remote accessibility and control provided by IP cameras.
This means you can view live video footage and adjust camera settings directly from a web browser, without being physically present at the camera’s location. It’s like having a remote control for your security system.
Thermal PTZ Camera:
Pan-tilt-zoom cameras with thermal imaging capabilities provide flexible coverage and detailed close-up views.
Isn’t that impressive? When an alarm is triggered, these cameras detect people and vehicles even in complete darkness, smoke, mist, foliage, and more.
This means PTZ cameras offer dynamic viewing capabilities. Once an alarm is triggered, you can precisely control the camera’s movement to focus on the incident, enabling a thorough examination of the situation.
Top thermal security camera recommendations:
Sirix, a remote live video monitoring company with over 20 years of experience recommends the following thermal security cameras for the perimeter protection of your property.
Avigilon H5A thermal camera:
It can detect people and vehicles in total darkness and through smoke or fog.
So you are always aware of what is happening at your property.
It has a maximum resolution of 640×512, which means you’ll get clear and detailed images. It can detect objects over 1,000 feet away, which is great for extensive coverage.
You’ll have complete peace of mind with features like object detection, loitering alerts, and even tamper detection.
AXIS Q19 Thermal Camera:
It offers up to 640×480 resolution, which means ,this camera provides detailed thermal images, allowing for precise detection and tracking.
Additionally, it is designed for wide-area perimeter protection; these cameras can effectively monitor and safeguard extensive sites, such as industrial facilities, power stations, and large outdoor areas.
It also has Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), which reduces image vibrations and ensures smoother video feed, which is especially useful in environments with a lot of movement.
AXIS Q8752-E Bispectral PTZ Camera:
With a powerful 32x optical zoom and a detection range of up to 3 km, it ensures you can monitor large areas effectively. The 360° infinite pan and wide tilt range provide flexibility in tracking and repositioning.
It comes with built-in analytics like Motion Guard, Fence Guard, and Loitering Guard, and can integrate with additional third-party analytics to tailor the camera to your specific needs.
It supports PoE and can be connected via fiber optics, making it adaptable to various installation scenarios and distances.
When should you buy a thermal security camera for your business
Now, let’s talk about when it makes the most sense for a business to buy thermal CCTV cameras.
Here are 3 scenarios:
SCENARIO 1: Detect all threats and save money when protecting a large outdoor area that is not lit or surrounded by a fence.
Why are they the best solution in this case?
Unlike other perimeter security solutions, thermal cameras require no light source to work well.
They can detect trespassers even in complete darkness, making them suitable for an outdoor area with no lighting.
Also, a single point of installation may be enough to keep your business safe. In fact, a thermal imaging camera can pick up things up to 1 km away, and sometimes even further. This makes them a good choice for protecting a large area.
As a side note, analytical detection manufacturers often require a minimum of 24px /m for a conventional camera, but 5px /m is usually enough for a thermal camera. (Each manufacturer may have a different suggestion for the best resolution.)
Key Takeaway:
In this case, a thermal security camera is the easiest and most cost-effective choice.
SCENARIO 2: Spot thieves despite the fact that camera lenses on your site are prone to becoming filthy or occluded.
Why are they the best solution in this case?
They can detect through occluded lenses.
As a result, they are an effective perimeter security solution for a range of sites where various elements can block the camera’s vision.
Here are a few examples of sites where thermal imaging can be beneficial:
Most construction sites have a lot of dust, which can get on the lenses of cameras.
- Mines security:
Mines tend to release residues into the air, which can obstruct camera lenses.
- Facilities near large water sources:
When a camera is near a large body of water, salt can build up on the lens.
- Facilities located in zones prone to inclement weather:
Snow, rain, and fog can cause regular cameras to miss intrusion detection. They do well in extreme weather conditions.
Key Takeaway:
In these contexts, you should use thermal cameras.
SCENARIO 3: Prevent disasters at sites where there is a risk of fire and electric shock.
Why are thermal cameras the best solution in this case?
Certain types of software and thermal cameras can be used to measure sudden changes in temperature.
With the heat sensor camera, you may target specific zones on your site and instantly activate an alarm if the temperature changes.
So, they are great for preventing fires and monitoring electrical substations, electrical discharges, and other phenomena.
Key Takeaway:
If your site is prone to fires, you should use thermal cameras.
If you’re considering thermal security cameras for your site’s protection, here are 4 trusted companies we recommend for top-notch products:
- Sightlogix.
- Axis.
- Avigilon.
- Hanwha.
Top thermal security camera price:
The price of thermal security cameras can vary significantly based on factors like resolution, features, brand, and additional components.
Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars for a high-end thermal camera.
Advanced features like AI analytics, long-range detection, and radiometric capabilities increase the price.
While the initial investment in a thermal security camera system might seem substantial, it’s crucial to consider the long-term costs associated with security breaches.
Thermal cameras deter crime, reducing losses from theft and damage. It may even save you insurance premiums.
Summary:
They are an excellent choice for protecting your company’s perimeter in the following situations:
- When the coverage area is expansive.
- When there is not enough light or there is not any.
- To detect people when there are a lot of obstacles on your site.
- When it is likely that your camera lenses will get dirty or blocked.
- If there is a chance of fire or electric shock on your site.
Still can’t decide if your business needs thermal cameras or not?
Find out what Axis Communications and Flir have to say about it.
To compare thermal cameras with other security devices, read The 7 Best Business Perimeter Security Solutions: All You Need to Know.
If you want to know more about remote video monitoring, check out A Beginner Guide to Remote Video Monitoring.
FAQs:
Why would you need a thermal camera?
Thermal cameras are required in the following industries for surveillance or operational purposes: security, electrical wiring maintenance, first responders, animal health, mechanical installations, and gas detection.
Indeed, thermal cameras are an excellent choice when the area to be covered is large, there is insufficient or no light, detecting people behind obstacles such as bushes or trees, your camera lenses are likely to become dirty or blocked, and there is a risk of fire or electric shock on your site.
What is the use of thermal cameras for pedestrian detection?
Thermal cameras for pedestrian detection allow traffic to flow, COâ‚‚ emissions to be reduced, pedestrian and bicyclist safety to be increased, and pedestrian priority to be ensured.Â
Thermal imaging cameras can distinguish between vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists based on heat signatures. As a result, by utilising dynamic traffic light control and warning sign activation, you can make your intersection or pedestrian crossing safer while also avoiding unnecessary delays for both pedestrians and motorists.
How is a thermal camera useful in preventive maintenance?
Thermal cameras can quickly measure and compare heat signatures for all equipment that requires inspection without disrupting operations, making them the ideal preventive maintenance tool for technicians.
What are 3 benefits of using thermal imaging?
Thermal imaging has three key benefits: it reduces the number of false alarms generated on your site, it detects intrusions instantly, and it can predict fires.
What are the advantages of thermal detectors?
Thermal detectors can detect specific objects or movement patterns in the dark because they do not rely on natural light. Furthermore, their detection field is large, and they can see through obstructed lenses and obstacles such as trees and bushes. Finally, they are capable of predicting fires and monitoring electrical discharges.
What is the disadvantage of a thermal detector?
A thermal detector’s main disadvantage is its high initial cost.
How important is thermal imaging?
It is determined by your company’s needs and mission. Thermal imaging cameras are critical if you have a large property that is not well-lit to deter intruders, if your cameras are likely to be obstructed by salt, sand, smoke, or dirt, or if you have fire hazards.
How reliable are thermal cameras?
Many factors influence a thermal camera’s absolute accuracy. When all factors are considered (emissivity, spatial resolution, detector and system noise, temperature drift, and so on), the expected accuracy of these cameras is no better than 2° Celsius or 3.6° Fahrenheit. Having said that, it is still regarded as highly reliable and the best technology for detecting objects in the dark.
What are the disadvantages of thermal sensors?
The disadvantages of thermal sensors include their high initial cost, the difficulty in interpreting the images they produce for specific objects with erratic temperatures, the inability to see through walls, and the fact that their temperature accuracy can vary within 2 degrees Celsius.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of thermal?
The world’s thermal energy is a useful source of power. Thermal energy can not only be used in conjunction with other renewable energy sources, but it also provides backup power, energy storage, and efficient heating and cooling options.
The most serious disadvantage of thermal energy is that thermal oxidation occurs at 800–900 °C, whereas catalytic oxidation occurs at 250–350 °C. In addition, the high operating temperature also means that more energy must be added to the process as supplemental fuel when compared to a similar catalytic process, which contributes to a higher unit operating cost.
Also, when using high operating temperatures, a flame can be formed, necessitating additional emission controls. Penultimately, the cost of the catalyst and its replacement due to premature deactivation increases during catalytic oxidation. Finally, thermal power plants primarily rely on coal, oil, or natural gas, all of which have limited supply resources.
Can thermal cameras see through walls?
No, thermal cameras cannot see through walls. Because infrared rays cannot pass through walls, a person behind a wall is invisible to a thermal imaging camera. Thermal cameras, on the other hand, can see in the dark and through obstacles such as trees and bushes.
How far can thermal cameras see?
Many factors influence how far a thermal camera can see, including the size and temperature of the object, atmospheric conditions, and the camera’s sensitivity. Simply put, the higher the resolution, the greater the range of your thermal camera’s detection of heat.
A 320 x 240 resolution thermal camera, for example, can detect accurately from a distance of 60 feet, whereas a 60 x 120 resolution thermal camera can do so from a distance of about 30 feet. It is important to note that the range of a thermal camera will vary depending on the specific circumstances of its use.
Conclusion:
So, that’s it!
You now know all the reasons to invest in thermal imaging technology & get the best thermal imaging cameras.
A thermal security camera offers a compelling solution for bolstering perimeter security. Their ability to operate in challenging conditions, detect threats through obstacles, and minimize false alarms makes them an invaluable asset. By investing in this technology, you’re taking a proactive step to protect your property, assets, and people.
Does your company fit into one of the above scenarios?
Plan on getting the best thermal cameras for your business?
Reach out to us today to discover tailored security solutions for your industry.
