Companies and homeowners waste millions of rands and man-hours – searching through hours of video data to find a few seconds of crucial video footage.
In many instances the required footage cannot be found.
The main reason’s for this failure are;
1. The CCTV camera wasn’t working at the time,
2. The incident was too far away from the relevant camera,
3. The camera was pointed somewhere else at the time,
4. The image was too dark, or distorted to recognise anything,
5. The camera view or lens was obstructed.
All of these problems are due to design and management failures.
Lack Of Maintenance and Audit
You cannot just install a cctv system and forget about it. Your CCTV system should be accompanied by a detailed audit, service and maintenance plan. The plan should include auditing of camera function and views, and a procedure for rapid reporting and repair.
Most companies just assume that the system is functioning.
Scene Too Far from the Camera
Attempts to save costs and minimise the number and specification of cameras installed, is at the core of failures where the image is too far from the camera. The core concepts of DORI (Detection, Observation, Recognition and Identification) are not considered.
The wrong camera lens is deployed – usually the cheapest 2.8mm or 3.6mm lens. These cameras might see more than others, but the actual useful range of the camera is limited. Larger lens sizes will see a smaller area, but will capture detail much further.
When an effective Operational Requirement is compiled, this can lead on to an effective technical specification. Where the Operational Requirement is poorly defined, or does not exist – the deployed camera usually does not provide the technical capability to achieve the desired objective.
Scene not covered by a camera
It is common for a camera that is installed for one purpose, to be called upon to investigate another. E.G An estate deploys a camera to observe the roadway on the inside of the property. The public road outside happens to be within some of the camera view. The estate attempts to investigate an incident on the public road, via footage from the available camera.
Usually, the CCTV system was deployed without a formal risk assessment. Only the very obvious hazards have been addressed. Obvious hazards are not always the most consequential – and sometimes represent just a nuisance factor. Less frequent hazards with far more significant consequences are overlooked.
The Scene was too dark
This too is attributed to a poorly defined operational requirement, and thus an inadequate technical specification. Lighting may not have been considered, or insufficient power has been provided.
IR Light reflecting back into the camera from dirt. IR is absorbed by vegetation.
It may also point to poor auditing and maintenance where faulty camera lamps have not been detected.
Camera view is obstructed.
Unless frequent audits are conducted – dirty lenses, or camera views obstructed by stacking, vegetation or construction are not detected.
Many providers tout the latest generation of full colour camera, 360 degree camera and AI enhanced cameras as the cure for these problems.
e.g – 360 Degree cameras are ultra-wide angled and are very good for wide area detection and observation. They will not capture detail at more than a few meters from the camera though.
Without proper risk assessment, operational requirement, technical specification, system install and quality control, audit, maintenance and service – these problems and the waste of money and resources will continue.
Is your organisation prepared to carry the expense of these program components that are not part of the direct installation?
If not – it might be suggested that the Surveillance system is not actually a critical requirement and procurement may just be a waste of time and money.
Look to an installer that is competent and certified to
conduct Risk Assessments,
compile Operational Requirements,
carry out post installation audits and quality control,
Service and maintain a system.
