Checklist for Proactively Addressing CCTV Maintenance Issues.

Preventative Maintenance has to be carried to ensure that the CCTV Security System is Performing its Tasks as expected and there are No Surprises when looking for Data to Examine an Issue. Preventive Maintenance Also increases the Overall Service Life of the CCTV Systems. Below are some of the Points that needs to be Verified every time a Preventive Maintenance Activity is Scheduled.

1. Ensure that the CCTV data recorded as per the Defined Guidelines. Check Every camera data is properly recorded in day & night. Document the Total Days of Data Backup Available.

2. Ensure that CCTV Date & time and is Synced with Current Data and Time.

3. Ensure that CCTV View is Clear and Video Does not have Grainy Images.

4. Ensure the CCTV camera focusing on the Target object of Interest.

5. Ensure that the Outdoor Cameras are Weather proof and its Accessories are Proper Insulated with Waterproof Tapes.

6. Ensure All Connectors are interfaced correctly.

7. Ensure that CCTV Cameras Lens are Properly Cleaned and Housing is Clean.

8. Ensure Outdoor Power Supplies are housed in Weather Proof Enclosures.

9. Ensure that the OSD and Camera Names are Updated and Logically Arranged for Ease of Viewing and Analyzing Data for Security.

10. Ensure that the Console Port and LAN Ports are Working

11. Ensure Firmware Updates are Carried out to the Latest

12. Ensure that there is No Rodent Infestation at the Site.

13. Ensure that the Video Loss, Video Tampering and Recording Exceptions are enabled and Audible Alarm is set for the same.

14. Ensure that there are no Open Cables and if found , Close the same with Flexible Conduits

15. Ensure that the Count of Total Number of the Cameras and Total Number of Cameras Live are Matching. If some Cameras are not live due to Multiple Reasons, they are documented.

16. Ensure that the CCTV Operator has Basic Knowledge for Retrieving Data and Live View Command Operations. Also the Operator Does not have Data Modification Rights.

17. Ensure rack has enough free space to for Sufficient Cooling and Maintenance tasks.

Conclusion : Proper Maintenance of CCTV Systems form a very essential requirement for Today’s Commercial Buildings. The above article covers the Salient to be Kept in Mind for CCTV Maintenance . If you would like to know more about the same please contact us via email: info@cctvworks.in for more details.

Author: Edhayaraj.T, is a Senior Technical Support Engineer at CCTVWorks. CCTVWorks.in is a leading Installer and Supplier/Dealer of CCTV, Access Control, Fire Alarm, and Intrusion Alarm products located in Bangalore, India.

Security Systems for Office Spaces

Security Systems for Office Spaces consists of Access Control, CCTV Cameras and Fire Alarm Systems. This article gives an overview of the Top Level Requirements for CCTV Systems for Small and Mid Sized Office Spaces.

Typical Vantage Points

The Primary Requirement of Installing CCTV Cameras in Office Spaces to have Safer Work Place and have Data in Cases of Theft of Articles, Staff Misbehaviour, Visitor Escort. Recently there are many Incidents were Examination of the CCTV Data has provided use full Leads in Identifying the Culprit. It also enables Business Organizations to Remotely View the Happenings in Branch Offices, Ware Houses, etc.

As illustrated in the picture, CCTV Cameras are required in the Reception(In and Out Focusing ), Pathways, Facing Workstations, Focusing Meeting Rooms, Inside Server Room to Capture People and Material Movement. In case the Reception Entry is Facing Direct Sunlight via Door, Then Choose Camera with True WDR. True WDR would reduce the Impact of Direct Sunlight and enable see the Incoming Movements More Clearly which Otherwise would have a been Dark Picture.

Sample Specification for IP Based Camera for Indoor Applications

o 5MP Vandal-resistant Network-Based with 30 Meter IR Distance.

o Open Standards Conformance and H.265 or H.265+ Video Compression.

o Supports on Board Storage of Up to 64GB.

o Vandal Resistant and Meets IK10 and IP 67 Standards.

o 2.8 mm Lens and POE Power Supply.

o Supports True WDR/DWDR, BLC, HLC

o Supports Operating Temperature Range from -40 Deg C to 60 Deg C

More Advanced Cameras Provide smart Features Like Face Detection, Face Recognition. Please check with the OEM Manufacturer on the NVR Model Supported and the Software Licensing Terms. Will cover the Smart Features in a Separate Article.

Typical Price Range for Good Brands: Rs 5,250 – Rs 8,750

Sample Specification for Reception Analog Camera for Indoor Applications

• Full-Time Color Full HD Dome /Turret Camera

• 2.8 mm Fixed Lens.

• Additional IR Lens providing Full Time Color Up to 20 Meters.

• Back-Lit Compensation and WDR of Min 120 dB.

• IP67 Compliant & Should support TVI/AHD/CVI/CVBS Technologies.

Typical Price Range - Rs 3,125 to Rs 5,250

Live View

Live View can be provided at the Reception Security. Some Organizations have Strict Policies with respect to who can Access the CCTV Data. The Live view Privilege is given to Security Staff however Playback Privileges is Restricted and given only to Senior Admin Staff. One Needs to Check with OEM Manufacturer if the System Supports Multiple Users with Privileges and the CMS Software Supported. Some Organizations also Mandate that Remote View is Available at Different Geographical Locations.

It Is Advised to Connect a Console Monitor say a 17+ Inch Monitor. The same can be placed near the Server Rack or Manager’s Cabin or near the Security Desk. This ensures that the CCTV Cameras are Operational all the Time and addresses Issues where the Recorder Itself is powered Off. Also During the System Configuration ensure that Features like Video Loss, Network Disconnect, IP Conflict, Hard Disk Errors are enabled. Make sure that CCTV Power Supply is Always Connected to UPS Power Source.

Data-Backup.

Typically in General, Organizations have Data Backup Policy of 1 or 2 months, However, some Organizations like Finance and Health Sector Mandate Longer Data Backups.

If Number of Cameras are Less Than 8, Most Off the Shelf 8 Channel or 16 Channel DVR/NVR with Single Storage Bay will suffice. However, Storage Becomes a Bottleneck when Additional Cameras are added. So it Better to plan the Number of Channels and Storage Bays Taking Future Requirements in Mind.

Sample Specification of Network Video Recorders

8-channel 1-SATA H.265 NVR

• Support Ultra 265/H.265/H.264 video formats

• 8-channel input

• Third-party IP cameras supported with ONVIF

• Support 1-ch HDMI, 1-ch VGA

• HDMI and VGA simultaneous output

• Up to 6MP resolution recording

• 1 SATA HDD up to 10 TB

• Support cloud upgrade

16 Channel 2 HDDs /4 HDDs NVR

• Up to 12 Megapixels resolution recording

• 2 /4 SATA HDDs, Up to 10TB for each disk

• Various fisheye dewarping modes for live view and playback for both web interface and GUI

• ANR technology to enhance the storage reliability when the network is disconnected

64 Channel 8 HDDs RAID NVR

• 32-channel input

• Third-party IP cameras supported with ONVIF conformance: Profile S, Profile G, Profile T

• Support Ultra 265/H.265/H.264 video formats

• 8 SATA HDDs, Up to 10TB for each HDD

Support N+1 Hot spare

Sample Estimate for Supply and Installation of Analog Turbo HD Based Cameras with

Full-Day Color with 16 Channel 2 SATA DVR with 60 Day Motion Based Data Backup and 24 Inch LED IPS Monitor.

Author: Venugopal J, is a Systems Engineer at CCTVWorks.in

CCTVworks.in is a Bangalore Based System Integrator and provides Consulting, Material Supply, Installation, Troubleshooting Services for CCTV, Access Control, Fire Alarm, and Intrusion Alarm Systems. We can do a Site visit and propose Optimal Solutions which are Reliable and Cost-Effective. Alternatively, you can share the Floor Plan Drawing or Bill of Materials. We have Executed Turnkey Projects for Large as well as Small Offices. Customer References can be provided on Demand.

For Any Specific questions Related to Security Systems Requirement for your Organization, please write to us at info@cctvworks.in .

CCTV for Commercial Buildings/Spaces.

In this article we have made an effort to Identify the most common CCTV vantage points in Commercial Buildings and the rationale for the same. Please talk to our support team to get a customized CCTV solution for your Commercial space / Building.

Rationale :

• 24/7 live monitoring of the happenings in the building Common Area. Ensuring safety and security.

• To get useful leads in case of Events viz. objects going missing, the examination of theft cases, nuisance avoidance, etc.

Vantage Points

1. Main entry and Exit gates

Camera Positioning

· Ensure the Cameras are able to capture vehicle details.

· People Movement along with their luggage/baggage etc.

Camera proposed

· Varifocal bullet camera with 50Mtr night vision.

· Wide-angle turret camera for movement capture.

Desire

· ANPR technology camera

2. Reception

Camera Positioning

· Ensure that the face of a person entering is clearly captured.

· Ensure the total coverage of the reception area.

· Camera should be able to capture details like mobile, handbags, etc.

Camera proposed

· IP Based Vandal-proof Dome camera

· IP Based Wide-angle Turret camera

· IP Based Fish-eye camera for double high ceiling

Desire

· Face recognition technology.

3. Lift lobbies

Camera Positioning

· Ensure the camera is able to capture Man and Material movements Towards the lift lobbies.

· Ensure there is No Vandalism and Damage to Lift Property Inside the Lift.

Camera Proposed

· IP Based Wide Angle Turret camera - for Placing outside Lift Lobbies.

· Vandal Proof Dome camera for Placing inside the Lift Car.

4. Passages

Camera positioning

· To Monitor employees & visitors' movement to offices.

· To Monitor Facility personnel like electrical, plumbers, housekeeping activities.

· Act as a deterrent to vandalism and theft

Camera proposed

· IP Based Bullet camera or Low Light Bullet Cameras.

· IP Based Vandal-proof dome camera

Desire

· Face recognition

· Crowd Detection

· Missing Object Detection

5. Perimeter

Camera positioning

· Boundary protection and trespassing.

· Deterrent to theft and Rogues.

· Ensure all exit points out of the building viz fire exit, staircase exit, are covered.

· Monitor service person entry to transformer DG area

Camera proposed

· Varifocal bullet cameras with 60M to 80M smart IR

· PT Z camera with 20x/36x optical zoom

· Fixed lens bullet camera

Desire

· Line crossing/Intrusion Detection

· Straight night vision

· PTZ auto tracking.

6. Basement

Camera positioning

· Parking area Management monitor.

· Tenants are parking in their specific allotted slots.

· Monitor movements to utility areas like storerooms, Hubrooms, Electrical & ups room

· Complete coverage for two-wheeler parking.

· Clearly capture the number plate of vehicles entering or exiting.

Camera proposed

· IP Based Low light bullet camera.

· IP Based 360-degree pan Tilt camera.

Desire

· LPR and smart IR illumination

7. Cafeteria

Camera positioning

· kitchen cleanliness

· To identify billing and payment

· Missing object detection

Camera proposed

· Bullet Cameras.

Live Monitoring

24/7 Live Monitoring can be achieved by connecting the NVR console output to Professional display screens or LED Monitors as per site requirements. Monitoring over LAN can be done via VMS software typically at the reception desk. Remote monitoring at a different geographical location can be done over the Internet with suitable bandwidth either via VMS software / Web Browser.

Data recording

As per organization policy/audit norms organizations dealing with financial transactions mandate continuous data recording. To achieve the same need to provision NVRs with the higher number of storage bays and hard drives. Motion-based data recording Technology performs write operations to the disk only when there is Movement / Motion detected. This saves substantial disk space from an Installation perspective. Ensure that motion detection is set up at high sensitivity and ensure pre and post-recording of 60 Seconds.

Conclusion:

CCTV Systems form a very essential requirement for Today’s Commercial Buildings.

The above article briefly covers the vantage points for commercial buildings and their CCTV requirements. Please contact us via email: nebula.andro@gmail.com for more details. We can provide a Proposal by Site Visit or Layout Drawing or Site Images.

Author: Venugopal J, is a Systems Engineer at CCTVWorks.

CCTVWorks.in is a leading Installer and Supplier/Dealer of CCTV, Access Control, Fire Alarm, and Intrusion Alarm products located in Bangalore, India.