TRY THIS SEEING IN By Lance Naismith
veryone enjoys a nice sunny day for relaxing or working — even criminals. But when working, criminals often prefer dark, rainy, foggy nights to hide their illicit movements.
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In perfect conditions CCTV cameras work very well at identifying incidents; and with installed LED technology, their use- fulness can no doubt increase in low light or inclement weather conditions. How- ever, LEDs can suffer from re- stricted range issues and installation problems.
One option to alleviate these concerns is to deploy thermal imaging cameras, which record the variations of temperature naturally existing between ob- jects or on the object itself to produce a viewable image even in the dark. By the very nature of the science behind these cameras, users can expect less visible details when compared to tradi- tional CCTV cameras, but will be able to view images traditional cameras simply can’t produce.
According to James Zahn, president of Cantronic Systems in Burnaby, B.C., al- most all thermal cameras can be inte- grated with an existing analogue system. In today’s environment, every company is being pressured to reduce costs, with security a large target for cost cutting. The use of thermal cameras allows companies to reduce their lighting demands (e.g., electrical and maintenance) as the cam- eras can put an invisible shield in place that notifies appropriate response units of any threat in an otherwise darkened area. Zahn also points out that these cameras can be used as back-up for areas where lighting is compromised.
Thermal imaging cameras can also be 28 SECURITY MATTERS • JULY/AUGUST 2010
The usefulness of thermal imaging cameras goes beyond video surveillance and into the realm of life safety
of thousands of dollars. He further notes that “cooled thermal cameras are more expensive than uncooled,” but they provide a “higher resolution and therefore higher-quality image.” Bard recommends “thermal cameras should be limited to where the tech- nology is most useful, such as for perimeter surveillance, long distance detection or for areas where objects partially
block the field of view.”
She feels they are appropriate where there is a need to detect and classify moving objects or stationary objects of concern. There is also the added benefit that they can see through snow, fog or smoke and at a greater distance than tra- ditional CCTV cameras.
used for more intimate purposes. For example, Cantronic’s “fever- scan” camera can be used in public areas to detect persons with potentially lethal fevers (e.g., swine flu). For Cheryl Bard, product marketing manager with Bosch Security Systems, thermal camera usage is expanding in areas of life safety in “areas that are at high risk for fire or smoke.” Ultimately, they allow businesses to deter- mine if people’s lives are at risk. When looking at implementing thermal imaging cameras, expect to pay more per camera, admits Willem Ryan, product marketing manager at Bosch Security Systems. Thermal cameras use a more expensive “germanium lens” and this, along with a more “expensive thermal im- ager,” increases costs that range from several thousands of dollars to hundreds
“Thermal cam- eras can be a pow- erful tool for surveillance of cer- tain challenging areas, but it is im- portant to note that not every business will need to invest in this more costly
technology,” says Bard. “The user’s en- vironment and needs should serve as the primary considerations when deter- mining if thermal cameras are a fit for the application.”
Lance Naismith is a freelance writer in Oakville, Ont.
SOURCES
Bosch Security Systems •
www.boschsecurity.us Cantronic Systems •
www.cantronics.com Pelco •
www.pelco.com
Photos courtesy Bosch Security Systems
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