18 January 2015
By Leon
Cahill, Security Product Manager at Jasco Enterprise
Surveillance
is an essential component of many security systems today, as it acts both as a
deterrent and provides evidence to assist with identifying and prosecuting
offenders. However, in many instances a detailed image of the perpetrators is
not required, and standard CCTV imaging has limited application in certain
environments, particularly when large scale or challenging outdoor areas need
to be monitored. Thermal imaging cameras are the ideal solution to this
challenge, as they do not require additional lighting and can operate just as
effectively during the day and at night, helping organisations to bolster
security and safety by ensuring that no persons enter restricted or dangerous
areas.
One
of the biggest challenges with surveillance is the lighting conditions in the
area to be monitored. CCTV cameras rely on adequate light in order to capture
an accurate image. This means that weather can have a serious detrimental
impact on the effectiveness of the monitoring solution – heavy rainfall and dense
fog can obstruct the camera’s view, which opens up security vulnerabilities
that can then be exploited by criminal elements. In addition, environments that
do not have a clear view of the area to be monitored can prove challenging, as
CCTV relies on line of sight. During the hours of darkness, when the majority
of criminals operate, CCTV surveillance requires adequate lighting, which is
another vulnerability that can be exploited.
Thermal
imaging security cameras solve all of these challenges, as they utilise the
heat generated from objects and individuals to form an image of the
environment. This means that regardless of the weather, the time of day or the
number of superficial objects obstructing the camera’s view, it is still able
to deliver a quality picture, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is
therefore ideal in any environment where regular CCTV proves ineffective, as
well as an additional solution in areas where night security needs to be
enhanced.
One
of the most effective applications for thermal imaging is perimeter
surveillance and monitoring. Using these cameras, along with analytics that can
be included with a surveillance solution, alerts can be created and disseminated
to the relevant parties when a person crosses a restricted perimeter. Whether
this is the outer fence of a farm, the boundary of a gated community or the
walls of a prison, the thermal cameras will pick up the heat signature of any
intruders. They will then alert the security control room for immediate action,
regardless of the weather or the time of day. Thermal cameras are also useful
inside buildings such a laboratories, where access to certain areas is
restricted, as well as national borders where patrolling large areas is
difficult to achieve effectively. In addition, thermal cameras can be used
effectively for a wide range of other applications. These include marine
environments, where the cameras are useful for navigation at night or in fog, as
well as for detecting man overboard, the approach of pirates, and general
security and perimeter monitoring. In addition, thermal cameras can be used in
power plants and electrical substations to detect hotspots on equipment, which
could potentially alert to danger before a major crisis occurs. With the
addition of solar panels and battery cells, thermal cameras can operate
regardless of the availability of external power, ensuring that even in a power
failure, security is not compromised.
Thermal
imaging adds an essential component to any comprehensive security solution,
offering a number of benefits. Chief among these is its high level of accuracy.
Standard CCTV cameras use motion detection to create alerts, which means that
birds flying across the frame of image, or even fast moving clouds, can cause
false alarms. Since thermal imaging cameras use heat detection, they are able
to far precisely detect potential intruders, day and night. Thermal cameras
also benefit from luminary independence – they do not require light to operate,
so regardless of the conditions they will continue to operate effectively,
whether in floodlit areas, complete darkness, or severe weather. In addition,
thermal cameras have a range of between 10 and 600 metres depending on the environment,
which provides a cost saving benefit for perimeter security. This wide range of
detection means that fewer cameras are required along stretches of perimeter
fencing or borders, saving money on equipment and installation without
requiring additional lighting. Integration is also fairly straightforward, as
the majority of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offer the relevant
video analytics and thermal cameras can generally be integrated into existing
CCTV solutions.
In many organisations and industry sectors, CCTV
surveillance is an essential part of security, however its application can be
limited depending on the environment in which the video recording needs to take
place. For challenging environments, outdoor applications, surveillance during
the hours of darkness and a number of other applications, thermal imaging is
the ideal solution as another component to add to the existing security
arsenal. Partnering with a specialist security solution provider will ensure the
right combination of solutions to deliver comprehensive security to meet the
individual needs of any organisation, environment or community.