What is PIR?

Hint - it doesn't stand for person in room! PIR stands for passive infrared. So, what is it and how does it work?

A passive infrared (or PIR) sensor is electronic and works by measuring infrared light that radiates from objects within its field of view. PIR is most commonly used for motion detection. The sensor can detect general movement but is unable to provide more detailed data such as information on who or what moved. This type of sensor is commonly used within burglar alarms or automatically activated lighting systems. PIR can also be used to measure occupancy in rooms. Whilst unable to count specific numbers, the sensor can report on the degree of occupancy within a specified area. The use of PIR sensors is becoming more and more popular across numerous sectors for both security and energy efficiency.

For the Housing industry, PIR enables the assurance that properties that should be vacant are vacant. In an instance where unexpected movement is detected, a security team can efficiently utilise their time by visiting only the affected property and ensure safety by requesting support when it’s needed. Within smart buildings, such as office facilities, schools and hospitals, PIR enables more efficient energy usage and improves overall sustainability of operations. By only switching on lights in rooms that are occupied, energy costs can be reduced, and carbon emissions slashed. The use of PIR for measuring occupancy is particularly useful as we continue to face challenges presented by COVID-19. By automatically measuring the occupancy of your rooms or buildings, you can ensure that there is enough space for adequate social distancing, therefore helping to prevent the spread of the virus.

With the use of online dashboards, the output of passive infrared sensors can be monitored in real-time.

Use of edge intelligence built within the sensors also enables alerts to be sent to pre-defined users via email, text or call (text to speech). This functionality is particularly useful in scenarios where PIR is used for security, but responsible teams may be based off-site. With COVID-19 meaning that more of us have made the shift to part-time remote working, the use of PIR sensors within your organisation could deliver lower energy costs, more reliable security measures and a safer environment.

To find out whether PIR may be a good fit for your organisation, book a consultation with one of our IoT experts.