This article provides Portal Beam coverage area and placement guidelines to achieve accurate room, seat, or floor level occupancy. By understanding the coverage area, you can determine how many devices are needed and where they should be placed to ensure complete coverage of the intended space. To learn about mounting, see Portal Beam ceiling mounting instructions.
Topics include:
In some cases, obstructions or other conditions may require a Beam to be mounted outside these guidelines.
When there is a deviation from these guidelines, consult with your Kontakt.io representative or submit a request to our support team for additional recommendations.
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Ceiling mount only, facing downwards. Do not mount to a side wall or in the corner of a room or space.
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Mount in the center of the room or space being monitored.
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For optimal coverage and accuracy, mount at its maximum height of 10.6 ft (3.25 m) and do not mount below its minimum install height of 8.2 ft (2.5 m). Mounting above or below this range will affect the its coverage area and accuracy.
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Must have an unobstructed view of the spaces. Do not mount where tall cabinets, hanging light fixtures, or other large stationary objects would obstruct its coverage area.
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Place at least 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) away from heat sources, including supply vents, lighting or large stationary fixtures, windows, and other electronic stationary devices.
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Avoid mounting in the direct path of HVAC airflow ducts/vents or other heat sources.
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Avoid mounting directly above an area where the sun heats the floor, near glass doors, or in the path of direct sunlight.
The Portal Beam is equipped with a far-infrared wide-angle thermal camera that detects people by the thermal heat image captured within its coverage area. To accurately count people, the Portal Beam coverage area must contain the areas being measured and monitored for occupancy and be mounted at the correct ceiling location.
The following table provides the Portal Beam coverage area specifications. The ceiling height of the mounting location impacts the coverage area.
Ceiling Height (H)* |
Coverage Area** |
Square Size (X) |
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8.2 ft (2.5 m) |
257 ft2 (24 m2) |
16 ft x 16 ft (4.9 m x 4.9 m) |
9.0 ft (2.75 m) |
298 ft2 (28 m2) |
17.3 ft x 17.3 ft (5.3 m x 5.3 m) |
9.8 ft (3 m) |
342 ft2 (32 m2) |
18.5 ft x 18.5 ft (5.6 m x 5.6 m) |
10.6 ft (3.25 m) |
527 ft2 (49 m2) |
23 ft x 23 ft (7 m x 7 m) |
* do not mount below the minimum install height of 8.2 ft (2.5 m) or above the allowed maximum height of 10.6 ft (3.25 m).
** coverage area may increase up to 15% when people are seated, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Important
For large open areas or spaces that require more than one Portal Beam for coverage, contact your Kontakt.io sales representative or reach out to our support team.
The below images illustrate the coverage area of a Portal Beam.
In footfall traffic mode a Portal Beam counts people entering and exiting a defined space.
The mounting placement guidelines vary by the two types of footfall traffic:
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Doorway traffic - counts people as they enter and exit a room
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Corridor traffic - counts people as they only pass through a space
To maintain an accurate count of people entering and exiting through a doorway:
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Center the Portal Beam horizontally so that its thermal camera eye faces the doorway to ensure people are detected within its coverage area.
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Mount on the non-door swing of the doorway to avoid the door obstructing its crossing line pathway and reducing its coverage area.
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Mount as close to the doorway as possible, so that people are counted as they pass through the crossing line.
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Do not mount where it would be obstructed by opening or closing the door or could risk being dismounted by opening or closing the door.
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If a door is higher than a standard 6.8 feet (2 meters) and the interior door and opens to the inside of the room, place it closer to the doorway and verify that people are visible as they open or close the door.
To maintain an accurate count of people passing through a corridor pathway:
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Center the Portal Beam above the corridor pathway entryway to ensure alignment with its crossing line. People are counted as they cross this invisible barrier.
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Do not place near doorways or where two corridor entryways intersect.