|
CCTV & Lighting -
Introduction
Why take this CCTV & Lighting
Training Course?
Whether you are already experienced,
or new to
invaluable training course is the ideal
solution to positioning you or your
company in a highly sought-after and
lucrative security related industry.
“From 1st July 2008 all licensed
premises are
required to have CCTV Systems in
operation by law”
Our practical hands-on CCTV & Lighting
training course, delivered by highly
skilled industry specialist trainers,
equips students with in-depth knowledge
of new skills covering CCTV system
design, installation and maintenance.
To keep ahead of rapid industry advances
in technology, we train our students in
installation theory and practice of only
the newest and most technologically
sophisticated equipment, meaning we
train them to operate in the most
profitable area of the business.
Upon successful course completion,
Chevron students obtain the
internationally recognised FETAC
qualification, and required no
registration fee to operate in this
growing market.
Closed Circuit Television is a
valuable management and security tool.
Garda Crime Prevention Officers
normally recommend the installation of a
CCTV system as part of a series of
security recommendations generally
intended to prevent or detect crime.
Closed circuit television can be very
effective in maintaining security. Video
evidence can help with security
enquiries or investigations and assist
in securing criminal convictions. The
visual recording of incidents, for
evidential or investigative purposes,
has many benefits and with a competitive
customer driven market is no longer cost
prohibitive.
"Reports confirm that the level of crime
in City centres is reduced by 30% as a
consequence of increased CCTV
surveillance (ISME)"
CCTV systems will vary in size and
complexity depending on their purpose
and the defined security operational
requirements. However, the basic purpose
of any system will be to observe a scene
and the activities that occur within it.
The observation may be:
-
Covert – the camera is
concealed
-
Discreet – the presence of
the camera will be known to some
people, but its appearance will not
automatically suggest its purpose
-
Overt – the appearance of the
camera will be designed to clearly
indicate its function and maximize
the deterrent effect
For crime prevention overt CCTV systems
are usually more suitable whereas
discreet or covert systems are more
appropriate for crime detection and
prosecution.
The decision to invest in a CCTV system
should be made only when it has been
decided the purpose for which it is
intended. Clearly defined “Operational
Requirements” should be agreed between
the installer and the customer before
investing in any such equipment. The
choice of cameras, monitors, recording
equipment and storage medium will be
governed by the defined “Operational
Requirements”. Operational Requirements
determine which areas or subjects
necessitate monitoring, detection,
recognition or identification standard
of viewing and recording. A reputable
CCTV company will clearly understand the
distinction of each chosen function. All
will impact on the choice of any given
system. The ability to capture images in
all weather and lighting conditions may
also necessitate additional expenditure
on support equipment.
CCTV is a complex matter and great care
should be taken in the selection of any
supplier and installer. It is prudent to
select a recognised reputable company.
Cost factors should not be the primary
consideration when deciding on the
latter.
The following guidelines should be
observed to maximise the benefits your
system will give:
-
Control of the system should be
coordinated from a central point
-
Access to all equipment should be
strictly controlled by nominated
personnel
-
All recording facilities and
recorded data should be held in
locked purposely constructed
security cabinets and out of public
view
-
System integrity is vital. A
register of the recorded data,
whether on tape or disc, and persons
handling them should be kept.
Failure to ensure the integrity of
the recorded evidence can lead to it
being inadmissible in any subsequent
legal proceedings.
-
The quality of all recordings should
be checked regularly. Is the time
and date function accurate?
-
Consider integrating your system
with your intruder alarm. An alarm
activation can then trigger selected
cameras to record in real time.
-
Regular servicing and maintenance,
usually every 2000 hours, is
necessary. Where V.C.R tapes are in
use they should be replaced
regularly. Purchase 31 tapes at the
commencement of each calendar year
utilising a nominated one each day
of a calendar month.
-
Never delay in reporting system
faults.
-
Monitors should be correctly
positioned for viewing. Remember -
others may rely on a CCTV system for
help.
-
Audit your system regularly and
review the operational requirement.
Do not let the criminal be the first
to highlight any shortcomings
The Monitor
Monitor sizes typically used in CCTV
Systems include 9, 12, 14, 17, 21 and 27
inches. The distance between the viewer
and the monitor usually governs the
choice of size. The 17-inch monitor has
a typical viewing distance of 10 feet
for the operator while a 21-inch monitor
allows a viewing distance of over 15
feet. Monochrome monitors can have twice
the resolution capability of colour
units, though technical advances are
constantly improving the performance of
the latter.
The Video Recorder
Many CCTV users require a permanent
record of the camera surveillance
activity. Videotape was the main
recording medium usually utilising a
video recorder with a time-lapse mode
function, however this has now been
superseded by digital recording
technology making it possible to store
video images on either a computer hard
drive or compact disc. The immediate
benefit of digital recording and storage
is swift data and picture frame
retrieval and interrogation.
Housings and Enclosures
Most CCTV camera/lens assembly, used in
both internal and external applications,
require housings to protect them against
dust, vandalism and extremes of weather.
Many different housings are available,
with accessories such as
thermostatically controlled viewing
windows, sunshields, blowers for hot
environments and heaters for use in
extreme cold. Dome shaped housing
enclosures are proving very popular
because of their discreet nature and 360
degree manoeuvrability.
Performance Standards for CCTV
Obtaining image detail is obtained at
the cost of a camera covering and
viewing a smaller area.
Taken in terms of recording the image of
a person on screen:
-
To monitor and control – the
captured image should occupy not
less than 5% of the screen size
-
For Detection Standard – the
captured image should occupy not
less than 10% of the screen size
-
For Recognition Standard –
the captured image should occupy not
less that 50% of the screen size
-
For Identification Standard –
the captured image should occupy not
less than 120% of the screen size
The most common complaints for the
disappointing performance of many CCTV
systems include:
-
The subject was too small, or not in
view long enough
-
The images were out of focus or
moving subjects were blurred
-
Cameras were not covering the
relevant area or the lighting levels
were insufficient
System Design
Good System design is vital when
contemplating installing a CCTV network.
Better results will be obtained if CCTV
equipment is correctly selected,
installed, adjusted and maintained.
Factors, which should always be
considered when designing a CCTV
surveillance system include:
-
The areas to be covered and how much
detail is required
-
Where coverage is required by day
and night the available lighting
levels - lighting conditions
required for a colour system will
also be different to those for a
monochrome system
-
Is the location internal or external
and will the system be integrated
with other security systems, e.g.
the Intruder Alarm system
-
How will the system be monitored and
by whom?
-
Are recording facilities required
and what recording storage medium
will be utilised?
-
Will the system need to be expanded
in the future?
-
What type of maintenance is
required?
-
Using Video Recordings as Evidence
To be acceptable in a court of law video
evidence must be carefully processed to
the highest standards; otherwise, it may
ultimately be inadmissible when
challenged by lawyers or counsel.
The following guidelines should be
observed:
-
There must be evidence of continuity
of handling of the recorded evidence
from the moment of recording right
up to the its production in court
-
The video recording medium must be
the original recording
-
There must be no evidence of
editing, interference or
manipulation of the recorded data
-
The recording should include a time
and date generator and should be
sufficiently long to establish the
facts it is intended to prove
The use of CCTV in the security
environment can be very advantageous.
Once the end user has identified
realistic performance goals for a system
as part of an overall crime
prevention/reduction strategy, then its
effectiveness can be recognised,
measured and valued.
It is paramount that the intended role
and operational requirements of a CCTV
system are predetermined and agreed. As
a management tool it can be used for
incident reduction or post-incident
analysis, to act as a deterrent or to
provide valuable support to Security,
Health and Safety personnel. It can be
used as a valuable support to Garda
crime investigations.
Whether it is the small corner shop or
the large factory, a CCTV system can be
designed to suit the needs of each
individual or group. Applications can
vary from a single camera system that
monitors a specific vulnerable area, to
multiple camera systems providing
comprehensive surveillance of a large
complex or site. Like any investment
consideration, it is always prudent to
seek professional and independent advice
before installing CCTV
|
