Professional thermal cameras for security and fire detection

Thermal image

What is a thermal camera?

A thermal camera does not form an image from visible light, but registers differences in heat radiation. As a result, the camera can detect people, vehicles and heat sources in conditions where a regular security camera performs less well.

Think of complete darkness, strong backlight, fog or smoke. This makes thermal camera surveillance particularly interesting for professional security and situations where temperature differences must be noticed early.

Applications

What is a professional thermal camera used for?

A professional thermal camera can be used for a variety of security and detection applications.

Common applications are:

• perimeter security of business premises;
• monitoring of solar parks;
• monitoring of loading and storage locations;
• monitoring of accumulator and battery storage;
• temperature control of technical installations;
• early fire detection;
• detection around waste storage sites and recycling yards.

For regular camera surveillance where recognisable colour images matter more, you can also look at our IP cameras.

Fire prevention

Thermal camera for fire detection

A thermal camera for fire detection can detect temperature rises before visible smoke or flames appear. This makes thermal detection interesting at locations where overheating can have major consequences.

Consider, for example:

• electrical installations and switch cabinets;
• battery and accumulator storage;
• solar parks;
• charging areas;
• waste bunkers;
• recycling companies;
• industrial installations.

Depending on the version, models with temperature measurement can generate an alarm when a set temperature limit is exceeded.

Thermal cameras are therefore a different solution from traditional fire detection. Where a conventional fire detection system detects smoke, heat or other signs of fire, for example, a thermal camera can be used to monitor temperature development visually.

Perimeter security

Thermal camera for security

A thermal camera also offers advantages for perimeter security. Because the camera detects differences in heat, no visible light is needed to detect people or vehicles.

This makes thermal cameras suitable for, for example, business premises, storage sites, solar parks and other large outdoor areas that also need to be monitored reliably at night.

In combination with smart analytics, a thermal camera can, for example, distinguish between relevant movement and unwanted alerts.

Do you also want to capture recognisable camera images of people or vehicles? Then a hybrid thermal camera or a combination with regular surveillance cameras may be of interest.

Hybrid models

What is a hybrid thermal camera?

A hybrid thermal camera has both a thermal sensor and a regular optical camera.

The thermal sensor detects heat, while the regular camera produces a recognisable day or night image. This gives you two types of information from a single camera housing.

This is particularly practical in professional security. The thermal sensor can, for example, detect a person in the dark, after which the regular camera image gives more visual information about the situation.

Within the Secures range you will find several hybrid thermal cameras from Dahua.

Temperature measurement

Thermal camera with temperature measurement

Not every thermal camera is automatically intended for accurate temperature measurement. When temperature monitoring is important, choose a model that specifically supports this function.

A thermal camera with temperature measurement can be used, for example, to continuously check installations, materials or storage locations for abnormal temperatures.

Depending on the model, threshold values can be set. When the measured temperature exceeds a certain value, the camera system can trigger a notification or alarm.

This makes such cameras particularly interesting for preventive fire detection and process monitoring.

Flame detection

Flame detection with a thermal camera

The range also includes specialised cameras for flame detection. These solutions are intended for environments where an incipient fire must be detected as quickly as possible.

Flame detection can be relevant, for example, at industrial sites, energy storage, waste processing and other environments with an increased fire risk.

Which form of thermal detection is suitable depends heavily on the location, the required detection distance and the risk you want to monitor.

Detection range

Which lens and field of view do you need?

When buying a thermal camera, the lens is important. A wide field of view gives a better overview of a large area, while a narrower angle of view may be suitable for detecting at a greater distance.

Which version suits best depends mainly on:

• the distance to the area to be monitored;
• the width of the site;
• the size of the object you want to detect;
• the required level of detail.

A camera for a compact loading area therefore requires different specifications than a camera for the perimeter of a large business site.

Camera type

Bullet or PT thermal camera?

Many thermal cameras are designed as bullet cameras. These are aimed at a fixed zone and are suitable for site boundaries, installations or storage locations, for example.

Do you want to view a larger area flexibly? Then a thermal PT camera may be of interest. It can pan and tilt, so that different parts of a site can be viewed from a single position.

For regular controllable security cameras, also see our PTZ cameras.

Recording and storage

Storing and viewing thermal camera images

Professional thermal cameras can become part of a complete IP camera system. Camera images can be stored centrally on a suitable NVR recorder.

This lets you view images live and search them later. With suitable systems, camera surveillance can also be managed remotely.

When putting the system together, always check compatibility, resolution, available bandwidth and the number of cameras connected to the recorder.

Buying advice

Buying a thermal camera

If you want to buy a thermal camera, first determine what you will use it for. Perimeter security requires different properties from temperature measurement or early fire detection.

Pay attention to the following:

• thermal detection distance;
• field of view and lens;
• with or without temperature measurement;
• hybrid or fully thermal;
• smart detection functions;
• mounting position;
• connection to a recorder or alarm system.

Within this category you can compare various professional Dahua thermal cameras on price and specifications.

Dahua

Dahua thermal camera

Secures offers an extensive range of Dahua thermal cameras, including hybrid models, thermal bullet cameras, PT cameras and solutions with temperature or flame detection.

For a complete security system, you can combine the thermal camera with other Dahua cameras, a suitable recorder and any additional security components.

Personal advice

Advice on professional thermal cameras

A thermal camera is more specialised than a regular security camera. The right choice depends heavily on the detection distance, field of view, environment and the purpose of the installation.

Not sure which professional thermal camera suits fire detection, temperature measurement or perimeter security? Then contact Secures. We are happy to help you choose a suitable thermal camera and the right components for the complete camera system.

Series and generation

Would you like to know what the Dahua series (Entry, Lite, WizSense, WizMind) mean and how to read a model code? Read the explanation on Dahua series and model codes.