# Choose the Axis thermometry area statistic before setting an alarm > Choose highest, lowest or average temperature for an Axis thermometry area before setting its alarm condition and delay. Keep the selected statistic separate from a palette or spot reading. - Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/choose-the-axis-thermometry-area-statistic-before-setting-an-alarm/ - Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security) - Author: DSE Security Editorial Team - Published: 2026-10-29T19:49:55+00:00 - Modified: 2026-10-29T19:50:08+00:00 - Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-10-29 - Resource type: Guide - DSE priority: Advisory - Topics: Video Surveillance - Reading time: 3 minutes ## What you need to know Choose highest, lowest or average temperature for an Axis thermometry area before setting its alarm condition and delay. Keep the selected statistic separate from a palette or spot reading. ## Potentially affected Axis products exposing the documented Thermometry interface; confirm actual device, hardware and software applicability before applying the proposed checks. ## DSE recommendation DSE recommends accepting the area, statistic, condition and delay as one explicit measurement configuration. ## Article Bottom line: Choose what an area’s alarm should measure before entering a threshold. Record the selected temperature statistic and delay together so a requirement about a local hot region is not silently tested as an average across a different area. ## Source fact: documented behavior Axis’s [Thermometry](https://developer.axis.com/vapix/network-video/thermometry/) describes temperature-monitoring functions for a temperature-calibrated thermal camera, including polygon-shaped detection areas. The source distinguishes an alarm based on a fixed temperature limit from one based on the permitted rate of temperature increase or decrease. For area monitoring, it describes choosing the highest, lowest or average temperature and a delay in seconds before the alarm triggers. ## What the source does not establish Do not turn a color palette into measurement evidence or assume every thermal camera provides these functions. Do not derive a safety or process threshold from this article. Require product-specific measurement conditions and a qualified owner’s requirement, and keep any fire, life-safety or process-control design outside this commissioning proposal. ## Applicability questions - Is the exact camera temperature calibrated and capable of the intended area function? - Which polygon and temperature statistic express the actual requirement? - Does the requirement concern a fixed limit or a rate of change? - What delay and independent measurement method has the responsible owner approved? ## DSE recommendation: controlled next steps The following steps are DSE recommendations based on the cited source. DSE recommends accepting the area, statistic, condition and delay as one explicit measurement configuration. - Have the responsible owner write the measurement requirement in ordinary language before choosing values. Identify whether a localized extreme or an area-wide condition matters. Record the intended polygon and obtain the exact product’s measurement requirements. Keep emissivity, environment and other required measurement conditions with the qualified procedure instead of supplying guessed values from an attractive thermal image. - Read the supported configuration and map the owner’s requirement to the selected statistic and condition type. Review the delay separately from the temperature value. Preserve the original configuration and use the supported interface for an approved pilot. Do not substitute a spot reading or a palette boundary for the chosen area statistic. - Prepare harmless approved comparison cases that distinguish the requirement’s alternatives. For example, propose one localized warm region and one more distributed change only if the qualified procedure permits them. Label these as planned inputs, not measured outcomes. Observe the selected statistic, elapsed condition and resulting alarm through the normal authorized consuming system, then restore the approved test arrangement. ## Verification and evidence Retain the qualified requirement, camera/software scope, polygon, selected statistic, limit or rate condition, delay and permitted independent observations. Keep alarm timing separate from the image’s displayed colors. Have another reviewer explain why the selected statistic matches the requirement rather than merely matching a convenient example. Record actual measured values and alarm results only when the approved exercise occurs. Preserve an unresolved measurement or timing discrepancy for qualified investigation. This article does not establish a calibrated result, safe operating threshold, completed test or guaranteed detection of a hazardous condition. ## Official references - [Thermometry](https://developer.axis.com/vapix/network-video/thermometry/) — Axis Communications; official VAPIX documentation. Source review completed October 29, 2026. Recheck the official documentation and the deployed device’s capabilities before changing production settings. ## Primary reference - Name: Axis Communications — Thermometry - Authority: Axis Communications - URL: https://developer.axis.com/vapix/network-video/thermometry/ - Source publication date: Not stated by the source ## Citation and use Preferred citation: “Choose the Axis thermometry area statistic before setting an alarm,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/choose-the-axis-thermometry-area-statistic-before-setting-an-alarm/ Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/ Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/ Copyright © 2026 Detection Systems & Engineering. All rights reserved.