Frequently asked questions from our customers:

ICI responding to all global health crises of this millennium. Prior to COVID-19, ICI supplied governments, frontline health responders, non-profits, and corporations with the temperature screening systems that were needed to contain the spread of SARS, H1N1, and Ebola.

Accuracy is extremely important with any thermal imager used for temperature screening. We follow the best practice recommendations outlined by ISO 13154-2017 and FDA guidance documents to maximize accuracy and get the most precise results.

Any system utilized for this application should be either a “plug and play” ready to use system or have the capability of being utilized in a more integrated manner.  How these are deployed is at the end user’s discretion, however, it is best to operate under the ISO 13154-2017 / FDA guidance and allow your program and process to grow with the ever-changing landscape of these statutes.

A temperature reference is a “cavity” that is present in the field of view of the individual being screened. This reference device provides a constant steady temperature by which a Thermal imager can provide an absolute temperature measurement of the inner canthus(tear duct).  Without the use of an accurate temperature reference, thermal imagers will only produce relative temperature measurements, which is not sufficient for human febrile screening according to ISO 13154-2017 and FDA guidances.

A thermal imaging system is a non-contact, non-invasive, passive imaging system that is measuring the thermal energy that is emitted, or given off, by the human body.  A thermometer is a contact device that is typically applied to the skin or other body cavity to achieve a core temperature measurement.

Thermal imaging systems, through proprietary software, can provide an estimated core temperature, as well as a surface temperature.

No, elevated body temperature (EBT) screening devices are not diagnostic tools.  They are tools deployed for early detection to assist in diagnostics prior to potential contagious effects.

Yes, thermal imaging systems for body temperature assessment are medical devices.

No, thermal imaging systems do not detect fevers. They detect elevated skin temperatures.

We will work with you to determine the appropriate distance for efficiently integrating elevated body temperature (EBT) screening into your specific workflow. When designing or laying out your specific workflow, please remember that the temperature reference source must be adjacent to or behind the individual being screened.

Infrared thermometers can be used to measure body temperatures from up to 15 centimeters away from the target zone and provide results in less than half a second. These devices are highly sanitary because they are non-contact, reducing the chance of spreading infectious diseases.

ICI’s non-contact thermometers have a margin of error of ± 0.3 °C on skin surface temperature screenings. Infrared thermometers read the surface temperature of a target — not the internal temperature. This means that for fever detection, an infrared thermometer can catch if someone has an elevated skin temperature, though this doesn’t necessarily indicate a fever.

To properly use a non-contact infrared thermometer to scan body temperature, stand 5 – 15 centimeters away from your target. Power on the device and point it at the inside corner of the patient’s eye, holding still. The temperature reading will display within 1 second. Many devices, such as ICI’s HotSpot IR, are battery-powered. You can set an alarm to sound when a temperature reading is abnormally high. ICI’s infrared thermometer powers off automatically and lets you choose between Celsius and Fahrenheit for readings.

Often, people using a handheld infrared temperature scanner will point the device at the patient’s forehead. However, this is a relatively cool part of the body. It’s best to point the thermometer at the inner canthus of the eye — right in the inner corner. This is the hottest part of the human face.