Effective Placement Of CCTV Cameras For Business Premises

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CCTV cameras have been a trusted form of security for all kinds of places and properties, and over the years, their popularity has increased exponentially.

When it comes to business premises, CCTV cameras play a crucial role and offer numerous benefits such as crime deterrence, remote monitoring, employee productivity, and peace of mind.

However, simply installing CCTV cameras on your business premises is not enough. It is imperative for the effectiveness of these security systems that they are placed properly in all the key areas of the property.

For CCTV cameras to stay true to their title of one of the most effective crime deterrents, they need to be positioned in a way that they are able to provide maximum coverage without leaving any blind spots for opportunistic criminals.

Read on to find out all about the effective placement of CCTV cameras for business premises, the best places to install them, certain guidelines to follow, and more:

WHERE SHOULD YOU PLACE CCTV CAMERAS ON BUSINESS PREMISES?

Running a successful business is a challenging task. You have to focus on all areas that foster productivity, growth, and profits. On top of all of that, you need to pay special attention to business security since crime has been and still is as prevalent as ever.

Business security systems such as CCTV cameras are a great way to minimise crime, ensure the smooth functioning of business operations, and monitor all the areas of the property through strategically placement.

CCTV cameras use modern technology to help business owners stay informed about what’s happening around their business premises, especially when they are not physically present there.

Also, since it is physically impossible to be present everywhere at once, effectively placed CCTV cameras around the property work as the eyes of business owners and security personnel and help deter potential crime, monitor the activity of the employees and visitors and, in the event of a crime occurring, also help collect evidence in the form of CCTV footage.

Knowing where and how to place the CCTV cameras for business premises requires special consideration to make the most out of these highly effective security systems. Proper and effective camera placement is key since a camera pointed at the wrong place or angle is as good as no camera at all.

Here are some of the best places around business premises to install CCTV cameras:

Entrances and exits

The entrances and exits of a business are the first places that come to mind when you think about security and monitoring. They include both the front and back points of entry and exit. All must have properly placed CCTV cameras so that you can keep a check on who is entering the building and when they leave.

Most building entrances usually have guards stationed for security, and although properly trained ones may do a pretty good job of keeping a strict eye on all those entering and leaving the building, installing CCTV cameras can help improve security immensely.

CCTV cameras are devoid of any human error, and while security guards may fall asleep on the job or simply miss something important, security cameras are always looking and recording. There’s not much that can miss the camera’s eye, and that is one of their best features.

The entrances and exits are the most visited parts of a building and require constant surveillance to get an overview of every individual entering and leaving the business premises.

When it comes to placement, the CCTV cameras must be placed in such a way that they can get a clear picture of people’s faces and, therefore, act as an effective deterrent for potential criminals.

It is recommended to place the cameras near objects such as a prominent sign or a television monitor so that when the person looks at them, the camera can see their face and capture clear footage for monitoring purposes.

Reception

The reception area is an extension of the entrance and is a key area that should be put under constant surveillance. The reason is that, like the entrances and exits, the reception area receives an immense amount of footfall.

From employers to employees, staff members, customers, clients, and visitors, the reception area is visited by all, making it all the more important to have it monitored by CCTV cameras.

The reception area is a high-traffic location in a business premises that often has people entering and leaving during peak hours. For reception areas that are street-facing, they may face an added risk of vandals and trespassers attempting to enter the business premises.

A strategically placed CCTV camera in the reception area will not only help keep a check on the employees and clients/customers but also help identify any unauthorised or unrecognised visitors.

You can either place the CCTV camera in an obvious place where it is visible to everyone or use it as a hidden deterrent. If you choose the latter, many camera options come in incredibly small sizes and can easily blend in with the surroundings such as the frames and clocks.

Keep in mind though that there are certain legal issues with using hidden cameras, which is why it is best to consult with the professionals for complete information on their usage.

Offices

CCTV cameras placed in offices are a great way to not just increase security but also to monitor and track the activities of employees.

An incredibly great solution for surveillance purposes, the presence of CCTV cameras in the workplace also improves productivity as the employees would know that they are being monitored.

The fact that they are being constantly monitored has a positive impact on both the efficiency and productivity of the employees. The fear of being recorded on camera and then getting caught for criminal or anti-social behaviour deters them from committing such actions in the first place.

Also, for areas in the office that are under restricted access, such as the server room or the place where the security safe or vault is installed, the presence of strategically placed CCTV cameras makes it difficult for unauthorised individuals to access it. It not only minimises external threats but also helps keep internal threats, such as disgruntled or untrustworthy employees in check.

Points of sale

Points of sale refer to any place where there are cash registers. They can be found mainly in retail stores, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and other business premises.

The presence of effectively placed CCTV cameras on all the points of sale in business premises discourages not only customers and visitors from stealing but also helps keep employee theft in control.

Internal threats such as employee theft are just as big a concern as external threats. In fact, employee theft can have a more serious effect on the business as the employees are aware of the ins and outs of the business and can misuse the sensitive information shared with them.

A preventive measure to minimise employee theft is to screen the applicants and run strict background checks before hiring them. However, as an added security measure, placing CCTV cameras near the key points around the business, such as the points of sale, will prevent such incidents from taking place.

As far as the customers and visitors are concerned, the cameras work just as well for them, provided that they are placed properly at the right height and proper angle to capture clear footage of their faces for recognition purposes.

Storage rooms and warehouses

Most businesses have storage rooms on their premises where they store important items such as office equipment, documents, products, inventory, and other things depending on what the business is and the nature of it.

These storage rooms are often the target of theft since the items stored in them are valuable, making it imperative to install CCTV cameras in them. In some cases, access to these storage rooms is often restricted to certain specific employees only.

The presence of CCTV cameras, especially ones that have been effectively placed, acts as a deterrent against theft and misuse. The surveillance systems help keep an eye on all the stored goods and make sure that the business assets remain safe and protected. Apart from monitoring the contents of the storage rooms, the cameras also prevent any unauthorised entry, and in the case that it does happen, they help during investigative purposes.

Some businesses may also have large warehouses in addition to storage rooms. They often hold a huge amount of valuable inventory and are a hotspot for both external as well as internal threats.

CCTV cameras can be the eyes and ears of business owners and help monitor the storage rooms and warehouses, even in their absence. The key here is to cover all areas of the warehouse so that a) there are no blind spots, and b) every inch of the property is visible to the owners and security personnel.

Perimeter and exterior

Security is just as important on the outside of a business property as it is on the inside. While it is very important to cover all the key areas inside a building to curb crime, it is crucial to also cover the perimeter so that potential criminals don’t even get a chance to make their way through the entrance of the business premises.

Since CCTV cameras are one of the best ways to monitor what is happening both inside and outside the business premises, using them for perimeter protection is a smart thing to do.

The cameras should be placed on the perimeter to provide a complete and comprehensive view of the exterior and surroundings of the building. Coupled with other security systems such as security alarms, barriers, and security fences, CCTV cameras are a highly effective deterrent when placed outside the business premises.

In addition to the perimeter, CCTV cameras must be strategically placed in car parks as well so that the cars can be protected from theft and damage and the employees and visitors can feel safe. For businesses receiving shipments, it is important to put the loading docks under surveillance to keep a check on the employees.

GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW FOR THE EFFECTIVE PLACEMENT OF CCTV CAMERAS FOR BUSINESS PREMISES

When placing CCTV cameras on your business premises, there are a few considerations that need to be kept in mind and a few guidelines that must be followed for effective monitoring and surveillance.

Once you’ve chosen the best places for CCTV installation around the property, you’ll need to consider the height of the camera, the angle of the camera, and the lighting conditions.

The height of the CCTV camera

When it comes to the effective placement of CCTV cameras, the optimum height for installation plays a major role in how well the cameras will be able to view and record the security footage.

If placed too low, the CCTV cameras will be easily accessible to everyone and may even be an easy target for vandals and intruders.

If the cameras are mounted too high or far away from the location to be monitored, the footage may turn out pixelated and grainy which may make it difficult to identify faces and other details.

For CCTV cameras that are used as hidden deterrents, the way they are hidden may block the field of view and affect the resultant footage.

For most business premises, an installation height of around 2.5 to 5 meters is the most common, although it depends on the area in which the cameras are being installed. 2.5 meters is a good height for close-up views with better quality footage, whereas 5 meters is a better option for areas that require wide-angle surveillance.

The angle of the CCTV camera

In addition to the height, it is very important to get the right angle. A camera placed at the wrong angle won’t be able to capture the required footage and will not be an effective security measure.

CCTV cameras are always installed at carefully selected strategic locations, with the lens usually angled downwards. You would rarely see a camera placed at eye level, with most of them placed at a high vantage point for a better and wider field of view.

Cameras placed at eye level usually focus on a single object only and have a limited viewing angle. On the other hand, cameras pointing down from a certain height allow you to focus on more than one object and give a much better view of the surroundings.

The type of camera and the size of the lens will affect the installation position and angle since smaller camera lenses provide a wider viewing angle but will have a reduced depth of view.

If you wish to adjust the angle of the camera while monitoring the area, you may opt for PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) CCTV cameras that allow you to change the field of view as per your requirements.

Lighting

Different areas around the business premises will have different types of lighting with some perfectly bright for clear monitoring, while others a bit dull and dark making it difficult to capture crisp footage.

There’s also the difference between day and night with daytime providing the ideal lighting for surveillance and nighttime making it challenging to do so.

When placing CCTV cameras on the property, make sure there is ample light where you plan on installing them so that there are no compromises on the quality of the footage. Adequate lighting will not only create an ideal environment for CCTV monitoring but also deter criminals from lurking around.

For best results, you may opt for day/night CCTV cameras or infrared/night vision CCTV cameras that work in minimal lighting as well. They are made to adjust to different types and levels of lighting so that you can get clear footage despite how bright or dark it is in the day or night.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we offer a comprehensive solution for CCTV cameras that are state-of-the-art and comply with CCTV laws and regulations.

We understand the special security and safety needs of various properties and offer professional installation services for CCTV systems bespoke to each property.

We are expert SSAIB-approved security system installers and supply only high-quality CCTV equipment from trusted brands such as Hikvision, one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers.

We conduct every aspect from surveys, design, specification, and installation ourselves, and our professional repair and maintenance services ensure that the CCTV systems work in optimal condition all year round, guaranteeing effectiveness and compliance with the law.

We also offer professional CCTV monitoring services that help detect criminal activity and security breaches as they are in progress for the appropriate action to be taken, even when the property is empty.

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