Installation Of CCTV Cameras: Critical Things You Need to Know
A General Overview of Installation of CCTV Cameras Surveillance Cameras
Increased incidences of insecurity have made it necessary for both homeowners and business owners to ensure the installation of CCTV cameras on their properties. Security cameras have now become a backbone in home, business, and office setups.
Surveillance through CCTV cameras helps provide 24/7 watch over the given premises. BigTech CCTV will come in handy with their technical advice and variety of CCTV cameras that you can install in your office, home property, or business premises.
Before purchasing and installation of a surveillance security system for your home or property, you need to give careful thought to many issues and take up the best options.
In this article, we will look at length at critical factors you need to consider as you purpose to purchase, install and enhance security in your home, office set-up, or expansive business premises.
1. Survey of your Site
Depending on the complexity and expansiveness of your site, it is recommended you get a qualified technician to come by, conduct a thorough survey and provide recommendations on how to go about securing your premises.
Once you have identified the best security company to deal with through referrals, own research, recommendations, or direct contact with their technical team on-site, get them on board. We recommend you set an appointment and get them to survey your property, office, or structure.
Meeting the technician in person is advisable. It will help you cross-examine them and assess their level of competence, technical aspects regarding the job at hand, and professional appeal.
We recommend you set some time from your busy schedule and have a hands-on interaction with the technical as they check out your premises and respond to your security concerns. Trust, confidence, and satisfaction that they can fix your security needs is the first and most important part.
2. Technical Recommendations regarding your Premises
Having made the initial contact and you have the confidence the company (with whom you interacted with its technical staff) is capable of doing the job, seek out their recommendations. Be as exquisite and exhaustive as possible to get as much information as possible. Seek out their recommendations regarding:
2.1 Area Size of your Site
A lot depends on the size, complexity, and nature of your site. A townhouse on its compound, a property consisting of units of apartments, a set of stand-alone units in a controlled environment, and an industrial plant, supermarket, or office on the 3rd floor all pose different dynamics which must be considered when seeking the best way to secure the same.
The larger the area, the more cameras you will need to be installed to cover the critical areas. The placement of the cameras is also critical, thus the need for an experienced technician to avoid incidences where you get blind-sided whereas you have spent on installation already and are confident your property is secured.
2.2 The Lighting Conditions in the Area
Lighting characteristics of your site affect the quality of surveillance video recordings, and the choice of cameras you will have installed on your premises. If the area is dark, or the structure is not well-lit, the technician could recommend among other things that you use Infrared cameras to see the dark.
Hikvision ColourVU cameras are very well suited for such areas especially when you demand color surveillance. If the area of your site is very bright, the technician should adequately advise you on the best cameras to install to cope with the bright light and deliver quality, uncompromised video footage for surveillance
The lighting conditions in the area you monitor will also affect the type of cameras you need. If the area is very dark, you will need to use infrared cameras to see in the dark. If the area is very bright, you will need to use cameras to cope with the bright light.
2.3 The kind of environment you need before the installation of CCTV Cameras
The type of environment you are monitoring will also affect the type of cameras you need to use. If the area is very dusty or dirty, you will need to use cameras designed to cope with these conditions.
If the area is very wet or humid, then you will need to use waterproof cameras.
Very wet and humid areas need all-weather, waterproof cameras designed and developed for wet, humid conditions. A good technician should note all these issues and advice accordingly.
2.4 Your Specific Needs and Demands regarding your premises
You need to make your security concerns clear to the CCTV Cameras technician, before getting into spending on buying the surveillance cameras and having the security systems installed. You may need a simple set-up where you have 2-4 cameras installed as a precaution against potential burglars.
You may be also in need of a complex, integrated security system consisting of an NVR CCTV camera system monitored through your smartphone, integrated with the alarm system and automated security lights.
Your property may be isolated in a remote area with few houses nearby, posing higher threats to break-ins, hence needing substantial investment in terms of a security system and support systems such as a rapid response from patrolling security personnel.
A survey of the property and locality is thus essential to determine the specific needs of the site, your concerns, preferences, and bare minimum requirements as far as security cameras are concerned.
2.5 Type of Surveillance CCTV Cameras to install
You need to get it right on the type of camera to install on your property, structure, or premises. There are two main types of surveillance systems to consider.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) that uses a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
CCTV cameras are the most common and affordable surveillance systems in Kenya. CCTV Cameras, like the case of the 4 Channel DVR 4 channel CCTV DVR kit, 8 channel CCTV kit, 16 channel or 32 Channel CCTV DVR kit. The kit makes use of analog cameras and a wired camera system.
A CCTV system usually consists of cameras connected to the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) for recording and a Monitor for viewing each camera’s footage.
IP Camera use Network video recorder (NVR)
A Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a surveillance system that is connected to the internet. An NVR system consists of IP cameras that are connected to an NVR. The NVR records the video footage, and the footage can be viewed on a Monitor or mobile device that is connected to the internet. The Monitor can be a Digital TV set, PC, or specially developed monitor for CCTV surveillance.
An NVR IP system strongly relies on power and the internet to optimally function. You have to set up a reliable IT network to fully benefit from its seamless access even when you are offsite. Another advantage of the NVR IP system is that systems can have multiple displays around the office, premises or property and provide you remote access for when you are offsite.
2.6 Capturing Small Details that Matter
The small details matter when it comes to security surveillance system installation. The specific details and concerns affect the type and number of cameras you need to be installed on the site. If you only need a general view of the area, a few cameras will do.
However, if you need detailed, 24/7 surveillance of the area due to the traffic in the area, activities within the premises, and sensitivity of the activities, you need high-performance cameras that help track and monitor people, and cars and take both audio and visual recordings.
Cameras that record and recognize faces, and number plates and can be accessed remotely demand cameras with high resolution, higher level of technical competence, and surveillance security capabilities. For such, you need to be well informed of the setup, and needed infrastructure to draw on the budget and get the best system to meet your specific needs.
3. Budget
Be realistic with your needs and budget to avoid compromising on your security and surveillance on your premises. The more cameras you need and the more sophisticated they are, the more expensive they are. A good technician should advise you on the best alternatives that help you meet the bottom line without compromising your security. You should consider the long-term of the CCTV camera system, and the implications of an upgrade (if possible).
Based on the understanding of your needs and an exhaustive site survey, the technical will be well-guided in enabling the security company to develop a comprehensive quote for you. Based on your budget, it is advisable you get two or 3 alternative quotes to compare and work with what best fits your budget and needs.
4. Power Backup
CCTV cameras are power reliant. They need a constant and reliable power supply for optimal functioning. If there is a power outage, the system stops recording surveillance video footage, compromising your security.
As part of the survey and installation process, the security company you have entrusted with your security concerns should advise you on how to go about it. They should ensure your CCTV cameras have a backup power source, such as a power battery.
Although initially, you may not have a power backup battery or generator, they can advise you and set up the system for an easy switch from AC to DC, depending on where you source your power from. Solar panels, backup generators, and fully equipped rechargeable batteries are available from trusted suppliers that can be handy in such circumstances.
FAQs
- How long does the installation of CCTV Cameras take? It all depends on the nature of the site. A simple job of installing 4 CCTV cameras and configuration of the cameras for viewing can take about 3-6 hours, to 2-4 weeks for a complex site.
- How much does the installation of CCTV Cameras cost? Based on the survey conducted, the installation survey cost can be agreed upon and charged along with the material cost as you will be invoiced. The importance of the quote and budgeting comes in handy then.
- Should I as the client be present during the installation process of CCTV Cameras? It is recommended you be there to establish contact, and trust and measure the credibility of the company’s technicians to do their job. You will also be able to get as many answers as possible as you provide them with sufficient details towards meeting your concerns.
- How much experience do you have in installing CCTV Cameras for such premises as mine (business, Ranch, Hotel, Home, apartment)? This is an important question. Work with experienced contractors who have exposure and confidence in installing security systems on structures and properties such as yours. Working with inexperienced contractors could end up with them not doing the job properly, at your cost, and a waste of time.
- Do you have insurance to cover technicians during the installation of CCTV Cameras? Installation of CCTV cameras involves climbing on buildings and accessing far areas on the structure, all of which are risky. When looking for contractors to install your CCTV cameras, it is important to ask if they have insurance coverage. You should be sufficiently covered for any damages on your property or injuries they could incur in the line of duty.
- Do you offer technical support after the installation of CCTV Cameras? A good security company should be accessible even after installation to offer technical support and maintenance. Having installed the security system and understanding your site, they should be available for continued support by offering technical support, maintenance, and responding to your security concerns.
