Coronavirus (COVID-19)
fever screening solutions
Fever screening solution using FLIR A320 infrared thermal cameras
Viral and bacterial infections such as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread mainly from person to person and contact with infected objects and surfaces. This highly contagious virus has now become a pandemic as shown by the recent flu outbreaks.
In efforts to contain the highly contagious virus, thermal cameras are set up at checkpoints or hand-held at airports, borders, and entrances to businesses, schools, and other institutions. These devices are being used to screen large numbers of people for elevated body temperatures quickly and reliably.
FLIR has received FDA 510(k) approval for its thermal imaging and temperature screening products.
Safeguard your business with our COVID-19 screening equipment
Secu Exports’ reputable thermal cameras and equipment forms the first line of defence for public health organisations and industries faced with managing the risks associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa and throughout Africa.
In addition to our equipment, our hand-picked team of specialists bring technical experience and expertise to the table that allows us to evaluate client challenges and make recommendations that translate into effective, customised solutions for environments of any size and footfall.
Combination Offers
In order to provide the first line of defence in hand-hygiene and screening for various environments, from small stores and SMME offices, to medium-sized offices and schools, we have put together a basic combination package of foot pump sanitiser and handheld non-contact thermometers at great prices which includes items of added-value.
Detecting Coronavirus fevers quickly and reliably with the FLIR A320
The FLIR A320 infrared thermal imaging camera can visualise, quantify and screen differences in skin surface temperature changes. This device is being used to detect people with fever-like symptoms that may be the highly contagious Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The FLIR A320 Tempscreen solution is a vital tool to help detect and minimise the spread of the highly contagious Coronavirus.
Click here to view the Tempscreen datasheet.
Q&As: FLIR products and Coronavirus screening
- While FLIR thermal cameras may indicate if someone has a higher-than-average skin surface temperature, thermal imaging cannot detect or diagnose infection. The screening procedures implemented at airports are just the first step when it comes to screening for a possible infection: it’s a quick way to spot anyone who might have an elevated temperature that might indicate illness, but they must always be followed up with further screening before authorities decide to quarantine a person.
- FLIR thermal cameras are a great tool that can be used to detect variations of surface temperatures but are not intended to diagnose or detect specific medical conditions such as viruses or other illnesses.
- Every object or person emits heat (infrared radiation). FLIR thermal cameras detect this emitted radiation and can use it to identify the surface temperature.
- With this capability, FLIR cameras are commonly used as a non-contact screening tool to detect differences in skin surface temperatures and pattern changes. In fact, FLIR has received US FDA approval for using a variety of its thermal camera products to screen high traffic public places like airports, train stations and subway stations.
- Customers use FLIR handheld cameras, FLIR cameras that can be mounted on tripods, or FLIR fixed-mounted cameras as a non-contact screening tool to detect differences in skin surface temperatures and temperature pattern changes.
- As people walk by the camera, the camera can not only “see” or detect these temperature differences, but radiometric cameras can provide a temperature measurement. Camera operators look for temperature anomalies and if they notice a higher temperature or abnormally high thermal reading, the operator could request to screen that person further using other medical screening techniques.
- For this specific application, FLIR utilises our calibrated thermal imaging cameras. With these models, the operator will be able to view temperatures in degrees C or degrees F, using various analytical tools, like a spotmeter or region of interest.
- In order to obtain a good temperature reading, it is recommended that the intended target be as close to the camera as possible. In this use case, we would make recommendations based on the location of the camera. If the operator wanted to place the camera in a remote location, we would most likely recommend a telephoto lens. Therefore, distance to the target is an important consideration, as is Focus.
- It is extremely important that the application be set up so that all of the intended targets to screen would be in perfect focus.
- FLIR has been manufacturing thermal imaging cameras since the late 50’s (AGA) and the implementation of technology has been widely used in thousands of applications.
- For Elevated Body Temperature screening, we witnessed an increase during the first potential epidemic with SARS in 2003 and then in 2009 with the H1N1 outbreak.
- The temperature measurement cameras we have been discussing in this piece have been calibrated to an accuracy of +/- 2 degrees C or 2% of the temperature reading at 30 degrees C ambient environment. FLIR uses calibration standards established under NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) traceable black body reference sources.
- Note, there are many contributing factors that affect accuracy. I mention in the previous questions, that FOCUS and DISTANCE can affect accuracy. Other factors, like the emissivity of the target, ambient environment, and speed at which the temperatures are acquired all play a pivotal role in accuracy.
- It is highly recommended that operators and users obtain thermal imaging training. There are many levels of certification. For example, an operator can be trained to Level 1, 2, and 3 certifications.
- The corner of the eye is most accurate place on outside of human’s body.
Handhelds:
- E95, E85, E75, E6XT
Handheld or Tripod Mounted:
- T1020
- T530, T540
- T840, T860
- A655sc
Fixed-Mounted:
- A320,A310, A615
We also sell radiometric thermal cores for other companies to integrate into their solutions.
- FLIR thermal cameras are used for similar purposes by FLIR World Wide, including UK, All of Europe, Africa, South Africa, USA, Canada, South America, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, and Malaysia.
- While we cannot name specific customers, we can say that our thermal cameras are used for by customers in most countries as listed above.
Benefits of the FLIR A320 thermal imaging camera
Screen large numbers of people
Allows screening of large numbers of people anywhere at any time
Detect temperature elevations
Documents and detects critical temperature elevations in real-time
Colour and sound alarms
Activates colour and sound alarms
Full training on device and set up
Activates colour and sound alarms
Easy to use
Easy to setup and use
Integrate into the public area
Integrated into public area pedestrian traffic streams
Document evidence
Able to store evidence
Protect public health
Protect your community
Articles
Important points of excellence for FLIR thermal cameras
Thermal imaging can help detect elevated body temperatures which may indicate the presence of a fever may contain or limit the spread of viral diseases such as bird and swine flu, or bacterial infections such as SARS.
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Thermal imaging for detecting potential SARS infection
National conference on thermal imagers for fever screening – selection, usage and testing.
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Thermal imaging products measure temperature, help detect fevers
FLIR systems receives significant orders for cameras to help combat SARS outbreak.
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FLIR infrared cameras help detect the spreading of swine flu and other viral diseases
Several major airports in Asia discovered the benefit of infrared cameras in conjunction with the outbreak of SARS a couple of years ago. They now use FLIR infrared cameras to scan whether arriving travellers can be contaminated with the ´N1H1 virus – the correct name of the virus behind the Swine Flu.
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Detecting A H1N1 in Tocumen International Airport in Panama
During the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic, IR cameras first began to be used in several international airports. The mistakes made during this first phase of implementation have yielded many valuable lessons. Although detecting fever with an IR camera is a viable technique, certain procedures must be consistently followed to obtain a reliable temperature measurement.
Click here for more.