Thermal imaging scanners are handheld or tripod mounted devices that are used to check arriving individuals’ surface (skin) temperature without being physically close to the person being evaluated. Thermal imaging scanners provide a means of identifying elevated temperature, but further clinical assessment is needed to determine if an individual may be infected with COVID-19 or other flu-like symptoms.

How does Thermal Screening and Scanning work?

Thermal scanning and screening are based upon the science of infrared energy (otherwise known as “heat”), which is emitted from all objects. This energy from an object is also referred to as the “heat signature”, and the quantity of radiation emitted tends to be proportional to the overall heat of the object.

Thermal cameras or thermal imagers are sophisticated devices comprised of a sensitive heat sensor with the capacity to pick up minute differences in temperature. As they gather the infrared radiation from objects in a particular environment, they can start to map out an image based on the differences and inflections of the temperature measurements.

Newer models of thermal imaging cameras actually add colour to the images they produce, in order to help users better identify distinct objects more clearly – using colours such as orange, blue, yellow, red and purple.

How does a Thermal Imaging system differ from a thermometer?

Both thermal imaging systems and non-contact infrared thermometers (NCIT) can measure surface temperatures without contact. An NCIT measures surface temperature in a single location, whereas a thermal imaging system can measure temperature differences across multiple locations, creating a relative temperature map of a region of the body.

Why do we use Thermal Imaging?

The main reason that most people and businesses are interested in thermal imaging now is due to the impacts of Corona virus (COVID-19), in order to screen and scan for temperature measurement, to spot fevers and temperature anomalies. This has proven to be especially important in airports, large populate businesses where these thermal imaging cameras can quickly and accurately scan all incoming or outgoing people for higher temperatures, which is crucial during outbreaks of diseases like Coronavirus (COVID-19) SARS and Ebola.