‘Some devices meant to test objects, not humans’

PETALING JAYA: Contactless thermometers are now a common sight at shops, offices and malls before visitors are granted entry. However, many owners of such premises are not aware of how these should be used nor the certifications needed to differentiate one from another.

Director of such a device’s manufacturing company, Cheong Choy Chan, said most of the gun-shaped infrared contactless thermometers might look similar. “But some are to test the temperature of objects, not of humans.”

They measured temperatures of glass, iron, steel, wood, rubber and others, he said.

“Customers often make this mistake and could be a reason why some shops and factories record incorrect body readings,” he added.

Cheong said to check body temperature, digital and ear thermometers used in clinics and hospitals were the most accurate.

“However, due to Covid-19, it is understandable that we need to use contactless ones,” he said. “However, it is important that we read the specification and details,” Cheong said.

Corporate communication manager Shirley Teo said Green Packet’s KipleLive thermal scanners, often used in offices, shopping malls, hospitals and factories, provided more accurate readings of up to two decimal points.

“When you use contactless thermometers, it often gives you quite similar readings,” she said. “But thermal scanners detect your changing body temperature accurately.

“For example, your body temperature will be slightly higher when going through the thermal scanner in the afternoon, especially when returning from lunch on a hot day, compared to in the morning,” she said.

Teo noted that the KipleLive scanners could also record attendance and the data could be of help if contact tracing is needed.

“The data can help employers or the management dictate employees’ roster or lunch hours to allow segregation of employees at one given time. This ensures social distancing.”

Pharmacist Zulkarnain Ismail urged management and shop owners to buy their thermometers from authorised sellers such as at pharmacies as these were supported by government bodies.

“There are three types of certification that you have to look out for, the CE marking, which indicates conformity to HSE standards for European Economic Area, the United State’s FDA certification or the Medical Device Authority, which is Malaysia’s assessment body,” he said.

On June 17, the Health Ministry announced that contactless infrared temperature scanners issued a warning.

“Temperature scanners must meet the requirements set out in the Medical Device Regulations 2012 requiring the safety of this device to be tested and clinically verified.

“Once these requirements are complied with, only then can it be permitted to be sold to users and the public,” it said in a statement.

Zulkarnain said quality infrared contactless thermometers with higher sensitivity were sold for more than RM100 each.

“So when you see cheap thermometers, it may mean that it has low sensitivity level and it may not have the proper certification,” he added.