Shining a light on people occupancy sensors. How do occupancy sensors work?
Understanding occupancy sensors
Occupancy sensors, also known as motion detectors or presence sensors, are ingenious devices designed to detect human presence within a designated area. Utilizing technologies like Passive Infrared (PIR) they can trigger automated responses such as lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system adjustments, and security measures based on detected motion. By monitoring thermal radiation, the thermal occupancy sensors identify the presence of humans inside a given area. The thermal sensor detects the infrared radiation that is naturally emitted by human bodies as heat but it doesn’t count non-human heat sources. These sensors calculate the difference in temperature between the human body and the surrounding air.
They use infrared technology to track movement and temperature changes in a specific area in order to collect anonymized heat source image data with, which is represented as dots.
The role of occupancy sensors
Occupancy counting systems precisely count the number of people entering and leaving a designated space, providing real-time data on how many individuals are present at any given moment. This data is crucial for several reasons:
Space management: Occupancy sensors have revolutionized space management in modern workplaces, especially in the context of meeting room booking and desk occupancy. These sensors can automate the detection of actual room and desk usage, addressing issues like no-shows by releasing unoccupied spaces back into the system, and facilitating spontaneous meeting arrangements by providing real-time availability data. This technology supports flexible seating arrangements like hot-desking by showing which workspaces are available in real-time. When the data is fed into a space management tool, organizations gain actionable insights into building and space use trends, allowing building managers to make informed decisions on workspace allocation, layout adjustments, and resource optimization.
Energy management: Modern office buildings and co-working spaces use occupancy counting for efficient energy management. By understanding peak occupancy times, these spaces can automate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting systems to operate optimally via Building Management Systems (BMS). This reduces energy waste and lowers operational costs, supporting sustainability efforts and giving occupants a more comfortable environment.
Queue management: In scenarios where waiting times can affect customer satisfaction, such as at banks, exhibition centers or public service offices, occupancy counting can help manage queues more effectively. By monitoring how many people are inside at any time, facilities managers can adjust staffing levels or open new service counters to reduce wait times to improve the customer experience.
Safety and compliance: For venues subject to strict occupancy regulations, such as theaters, nightclubs and conference centers, maintaining compliance with safety codes is non-negotiable. Overcrowding can pose serious safety risks and lead to significant legal repercussions. Occupancy counting systems enable these venues to monitor numbers in real time, ensuring they stay within legal limits. Smart access is also a benefit, with the detection of unauthorized access or unusual patterns of movement within the building, which can trigger alerts for security personnel to respond to potential intrusions or threats.
People Occupancy Counting sensor from Terabee
Terabee’s People Occupancy Counting sensor uses advanced thermal imaging to offer real-time, high-precision occupancy monitoring. With its compact design and easy installation, it seamlessly integrates into various environments, from offices and meeting spaces to reception halls, enhancing space management capabilities. The device can focus on multiple regions of interest, up to eight, to monitor or exclude specific areas.
The sensor’s ability to count occupants accurately without capturing personal identifiable information (PII) ensures privacy compliance, aligning with GDPR regulations and respecting individuals’ rights to privacy within monitored spaces. Moreover it ensures precise occupancy tracking in all light conditions. This is ideal for fine-tuning energy management, optimizing space utilization and automating building operations.
Tailor your people counting systems to suit your project’s unique needs. Contact us to speak to an expert about your project’s challenges and requirements.
