Evitech uses thermal imaging cameras to provide cost-effective site protection while guaranteeing anonymity
Thermal imaging cameras are an ideal way to protect premises against intruders at night. Not only is thermal imaging very effective in detecting all kinds of anomalies in all weather conditions, it is also a cost-effective solution. In a recent project where an important swimming pool in Orsay, France, needed to be protected against intruders, security installation specialist EVITECH proves that you can secure an area of more than 1,000 square meters with one single thermal imaging camera.
The public swimming pool in the municipality of Orsay, France, receives several hundred visitors every day. Schools, sport clubs and recreational swimmers all find their way to the Olympic size (50 metre) swimming pool for all kinds of swimming, diving or water-polo activities. As crowded as it might be during the day, at night during closing hours, the pool is not staffed and a ladder is all that is needed to climb the fence and access the pool.
In order to monitor the pool deck at night for irresponsible behaviour and to prevent possible deaths by drowning, the municipality of Orsay decided to invest in an efficient security solution. At the same time, it was important to limit heavy construction work and guarantee anonymity for all swimming pool guests.
EVITECH (Electronic Vision Technologies) who are based in Antony, France, installed an intruder detection system with thermal imaging technology from FLIR Systems, in cooperation with security technology installer – the TIFALI Group.
EVITECH video surveillance specialist
Founded in 2005, EVITECH is a European leader in video analytics for security applications. EVITECH’s solutions help to monitor and protect sensitive sites, public spaces and transport systems, and oil & gas installations. The company can boast some very prestigious clients, including government premises, big defence security system providers, sensitive energy sites and big construction companies.
EVITECH’s most notable security solutions are Jaguar, a video analytics software package for intrusion detection, and Lynx, a software tool that helps to manage movements of crowds of people through intelligent video analytics.
Single-camera installation
For the monitoring and detection of the pool deck at Orsay around the 25x50m swimming pool, EVITECH opted for the FLIR FC-690 camera, installed on the corner of an adjacent pool building, coupled with Jaguar video analytics software. As a very cost-effective intruder detection solution, the FLIR FC-690 camera can capture all movements in its field of view, based on the temperature information the human body gives off.
The FLIR FC-690 is an affordable, network ready fixed mount camera with 640 x 480 pixel resolution. The camera uses a 7.5 mm lens, which offers a field of view of 90°. Thanks to this lens, only one camera is needed to ensure the surveillance of the whole site. The camera has been installed on the roof of the adjacent building without the use of a mast. In this way, the entire pool including the surrounding walkways and deckchair area can be monitored.
The Jaguar video analytics software is a perfect match for the FLIR thermal imaging cameras. The software continuously detects all kinds of movements around and in the water, efficiently filtering out the movements of the water.
Only activated during closing hours, the detection and monitoring system generates alarms when intruders are detected and automatically reports them to the city police.
Thermal trumps other technologies
Before selecting thermal imaging with Jaguar analytics, the municipality investigated other technologies. A common solution for detecting intruders is the use of infrared barriers. These detectors however require a lot of cable and therefore a lot of costly installation works that require the ground to be opened up. Another frequently used solution is visual video technology (CCTV). However, the area around the Orsay swimming pool is not lit at night, which makes detection difficult. Had lighting been installed, the light that plays on the moving or rippling water would generate a lot of false alarms. That’s why thermal imaging proved to be the most sensible solution.
Thermal imaging cameras do not need any lights to operate at night and with only one camera covering the entire swimming pool, the installation works would be minimal.
Anonymity guaranteed
Although the detection and monitoring system is switched off during opening hours, the swimming pool customers might still be under the impression that they are being watched. Specifically in France, this would mean invasion of privacy, which could lead to legal action.
With thermal imaging cameras, that is not a problem. Unlike visual based CCTV cameras, a thermal imaging camera does not actually identify the person in question when he or she is detected. This way, the municipality is able to protect the swimming pool site against intruders at night or while it is closed, and at the same time respect the anonymity of the bathers while the pool area is open.
For more information about thermal imaging please visit www.flir.com
