Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
In the sci-fi world of Star Trek, the COVID-19 virus could be detected in a person by simply waving a medical tricorder over their body.
In the real world, detecting COVID-19 is not so simple, especially among people who are asymptomatic (infected but not exhibiting any symptoms). That said, being able to detect a churchgoer with a high temperature before they enter a facility is one way to reduce the risk of spreading the virus among attendees--along with other socially responsible measures such as physical distancing and wearing face masks.
In the context of COVID-19, measuring an attendee's temperature at a distance reduces the chances for spreading viral infections, especially when the screening process is paired with everyone wearing face masks.
Face masks and telethermographic scanning can work hand-in-hand at points of entry.
This is where telethermographic systems (aka thermal scanners or thermal imaging systems) that can read a person’s body temperature from a distance can make a difference. “Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, typically appearing 2-14 days after exposure,” explains the FDA document, "Enforcement Policy for Telethermographic Systems During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency." The report goes on to say, “Telethermographic systems are able to determine surface skin temperature, which is then used to estimate the temperature at a reference body site (e.g., oral, tympanic membrane).” These systems are available in configurations that range from handheld scanners to scanners mounted on tripods, poles, and overhead beams.
“The advantage of using telethermographic systems for initial temperature assessment for triage use is the potential use in high throughput areas (e.g., airports, businesses, warehouses, factories) and in settings where other temperature assessment products may be in short supply,” the FDA document continues. “The available scientific literature supports the use of telethermographic systems in the context of initial human temperature measurement during such a triage process.”
In the context of COVID-19, measuring a parishioner’s temperature at a distance reduces the chances for spreading viral infections, especially when the screening process is paired with everyone wearing face masks (even non-medical cloth masks that capture the wearer’s expelled saliva and/or mucous). This is why telethermographic systems are worthy of consideration by church designers and equipment integrators.
How telethermographic systems work
The basic purpose of all telethermographic/thermal imaging systems is “to accurately measure someone’s surface skin temperature without being physically close to the person being evaluated,” says the FDA’s Thermal Imaging Systems webpage. These systems do this by measuring the heat being emitted by the skin in the form of infrared light, and then using this data to extrapolate their likely body temperature.
... the encased Artemis TI-CS-T11 Thermal Camera, which can be mounted to poles or overhead beams, can scan up to 10 people at a time from a considerable distance.
Again, the beauty of telethermographic systems is that they can take these measurements at a distance. For instance, the handheld CreativeStar Artemis TI-CS-T1 Infrared Thermal Scanner can accurately measure a person’s body temperature from a distance of 11.8 inches (30 centimeters). Meanwhile, the encased Artemis TI-CS-T11 Thermal Camera, which can be mounted to poles or overhead beams, can scan up to 10 people at a time from a considerable distance.
Either way, “Thermal imaging systems offer certain benefits in that other methods need a closer proximity or contact to measure temperature (for example, non-contact infrared thermometers or oral thermometers),” says the FDA’s Thermal Imaging Systems webpage. Add the fact that CreativeStar’s TI-CS-T11 can be installed as part of an ‘Artemis Gateway’ computerized access system that also includes facial recognition and process up to 50 people a minute, and the power of this technology becomes apparent.
“This full-service solution is designed with the CDC guidelines and is fully compliant, ensuring health and safety requirements are met,” notes the Artemis Gateway webpage. “This solution has advanced smart notifications that can instantly notify personnel of any individual with a high body temperature within seconds.” In fact, the Artemis Gateway can measure each person’s temperature in under 3 seconds.
Limits to respect
Before we go any further into telethermographic systems/thermal scanners, it is vital to know that they are not magic bullets in the fight against COVID-19 -- because they are not.
“Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have a fever (i.e., have a higher than normal body temperature),” warns the World Health Organization (WHO) website. But, “They cannot detect people who are infected with COVID-19.”
Until such a public detection is created, telethermographic systems are useful tools in reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposures in churches; as long as you select the right system. This is because the FDA makes distinctions between telethermographic systems that qualify as medical devices (which it regulates) and those that do not (which the FDA doesn’t regulate).
“Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have a fever (i.e., have a higher than normal body temperature),” warns the World Health Organization (WHO) website. But, “They cannot detect people who are infected with COVID-19.”
“Generally, telethermographic systems fall within the definition of a device when they are intended for a medical purpose, including for use by health care professionals or others for body temperature assessment,” says the FDA document. “Telethermographic systems that are not intended for a medical purpose are not medical devices.”
A rule of thumb for church designers and integrators: If your client asks for telethermographic systems, only select those products that have been certified by the FDA as medical devices.
Design and equipment considerations
The ability to measure people’s body temperatures remotely, in tandem with other safety procedures, offers options to churches as they minister to people during the pandemic. So what does this mean to church designers and integrators?
First, the fact that COVID-19 will likely be around for awhile means that churches need both temporary and permanent screening solutions.
Temporary solutions mean handheld and/or mounted thermal scanners at church entrances. These should be deployed in covered outdoor areas in front of church entrances, to offer ventilation and the ability to turn away feverish parishioners before they enter the building.
Permanent solutions include the installation of Artemis Gateway-type entrance systems at large churches and megachurches, and smaller fixed solutions in permanent areas outside smaller churches. In some cases, it may be possible to retrofit telethermographic systems into existing church foyers. This said, extra ventilation may have to be added to ensure the safety of church officials and screening volunteers in these areas. (CreativeStar offers a design service that works with architects and integrators to fit the Artemis gateway into new or existing facilities.)
Second, the health protection offered to church staff and attendees alike by Artemis Gateway-type solutions can be paired with other entrance systems–such as walk-through metal detectors and airport-type scanners–to guard against non-medical threats such as active shooters.
Finally, telethermographic systems are an intelligent public health response to the COVID-19 crisis for churches who stay open during the pandemic. As a result, thermal imagers could prove to be as valuable to churches as AV systems, overhead lighting, and HVAC in the months ahead. Church designers and integrators can take note of this reality, and shape their specification strategies accordingly.
