COVID-19 changed everything. Once video cameras were a company’s most valuable way to protect their employees and property. Now infrared thermometers are a top priority for businesses re-opening safely while the pandemic’s still raging worldwide. The device is the most accurate way to measure body temperature for its speed, ease of use, and accuracy. You can use them in any situation where it’s necessary to quickly know the temperature of an object or surface without touching it. With several brands available on the market, it’s challenging to choose the right company and model to safeguard your employees and customers. Here’s a guide to help you make an informed decision about your business’ safety procedures.
How Do Infrared Thermometers for Offices and Restaurants Work?
Infrared thermometers are the only way to collect an objective temperature without direct contact. The device sends out a beam of infrared radiation, which bounces off the surrounding objects, then it records the amount of energy that is reflected or emitted back. It’s sometimes called non-contact because you don’t have to touch any surface to get a reading. Properly calibrated, it will give you an accurate temperature reading every time.
What are the Benefits of the Infrared Thermometer?
The first and most important benefit of using infrared thermometers is to detect a fever, which is a powerful indicator of the COVID-19 virus. By taking temperatures before someone enters a public area, the thermometers can protect those in the room from contact.
An infrared thermometer for this purpose does not need to jam any signals or create a barrier around people to work effectively. All it does is use the properties of infrared radiation to measure temperature—nothing more or less. This advantage also means it’ll continue working no matter what electronics and other signals are in the area.
These are touchless. During COVID-19 and in any situation where a virus is spreading, removing the physical contact is an excellent way to reduce the infection rate. Although they’re easy to clean, you won’t need to worry about accidental transmission because of dirty or unsanitized equipment.
Finally, since they’re simple and easy to use, employees who lack medical training can still operate one.
Factors For Choosing the Right Infrared Thermometer For Your Business
Several considerations are necessary to determine the best model to fit your company’s needs. You’ll need to do your research and review all manufacturer’s specifications. Here are three types of most common thermometers for office and the public area –
 |  |  | |
| Infrared thermometer | Non-contact Automatic Sensor Thermal Scanner | Automatic Hand Sanitizer Dispenser with Temperature | |
| Accuracy | High | High | High |
| Ease of Use | Need people to operate | Self-tested | Self-tested |
| Speed | Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Price | From US$6.8 for bulk order | From US$20 for bulk order | From US$25 for bulk order |
Check out the available thermometers on BuyHive: https://thebuyhive.com/buy/thermometer
And some factors you should think about when choosing an infrared thermometer for work or public areas:
Accuracy
Different companies need different accuracy levels. A restaurant needs to know the guests eating maskless in close proximity aren’t sick. Whereas an office building with little public traffic doesn’t require pinpoint precision. There are different standards that you can choose from to determine what level of efficiency your organization needs, such as,
- Traffic from the general public
- Number of unvaccinated visitors
- Spacing between lines, desks, waiting room seats, and similar areas of congestion
- Density of the building’s interior
- Time spent in close proximity
Testing Location
Where will you be using the infrared thermometer in your restaurant or office? There’s a difference in accuracy and speed when using these devices outside in the scorching sun or extreme cold versus a controlled environment. As the temperature and humidity of the air change, it can cause a variation in the measurement. That’s why space and location considerations are essential when making your choice of infrared thermometers.
Ease of Use
Several areas regarding ease of use are essential to consider when choosing the best-infrared thermometer for restaurants and offices.
Is it hard to set up?
You need to know how long it will take to have the device up and working. If it’s too complex, it will cost you time and money to train employees to use it and troubleshoot problems if it’s operating correctly. Other questions include, are there any intricate settings that might take a while to set up and understand, and how easy is it to use with one hand?
An employee handling in-person, contactless temperature screenings at your office or dining establishment often needs to scan with one hand and check a log or ID badge simultaneously, and juggling the thermometer and a logbook can slow down the process.
How Do you Turn it on and off?
Another consideration is how much time it takes to activate and deactivate the device. You don’t want employees wasting their time powering on a device that’s already been turned off, or worse, leaving it running after the building’s closed for the night and paying the extra electricity charges.
How Difficult is it to Clean?
People often use infrared thermometers in areas with a lot of traffic that’s filled with germs. You’ll want to know how easy it is to clean the device to prevent contamination or if you need to take precautions before using it. The best options allow you to wipe down the device regularly without interfering with its accuracy or other functions.
Temperature Range
The temperature range goes with accuracy. You want a device that can measure Fahrenheit and Celsius quickly.
Storage
These devices aren’t heavy or bulky, but you need somewhere to store them when they’re not in use. The best place is a secure location where it won’t be dropped, banged against other equipment, or exposed to water. For wall-mounted models, consider a cover to keep them clean and dust-free. Along with protecting your investment, it’s also a safety hazard if the lens is broken.
Speed
You want an accurate and quick infrared thermometer for your office or restaurant. The best companies have a tool that can quickly and efficiently record temperatures. Customers don’t want to wait long to get into your building or use a service. At the same time, employees don’t want a time-consuming task that’ll take away from getting to their desks on time.
Price
Of course, you need to consider your price range for your purchasing needs. To stay within budget, finding a suitable infrared thermometer for you is essential. You’ll find that some have more features than others, and there are benefits associated with each type of device. Prices vary for handheld versus wall-mounted.
However, where handheld models have a lower cost, they require an employee to operate. You’ll need to consider if the price of a self-serve infrared thermometer is less than the cost of hiring someone to work the device by hand.
Choosing the right infrared thermometer for a restaurant or office is a decision that should be made carefully. The best ones are easy to use, can measure in Fahrenheit and Celsius quickly, have storage space when not used, and are cost effective. Before making an investment in this crucial device for public safety, consider what you need from it, so you choose one with all these essential features!
