A Checklist for CCTV Maintenance
Most house and property owners install CCTV cameras and then forget about them altogether. They only bother to check on them when a security issue comes up. You would be surprised to know that 70% of CCTV evidence is ruled out as invalid in courts due to their poor quality. The last thing you want is your investment in a CCTV system to go to waste.
So, here’s how to keep your CCTV system maintained and in the best working condition:
Where to Start?
Now that you know the importance of CCTV maintenance, the question is where to start? Like with any other functional equipment of your house or business premise, CCTV maintenance needs a solid plan.
Before you begin, reflect on your expectations from a CCTV system. Most likely it will come down to reliability, predictability and around the clock security. Once you know your expectations, draw a plan for maintenance that resonates with your expectations. Your CCTV maintenance plan should include:
- An elaborate and overarching CCTV checklist for maintenance.
- A well-planned schedule to carry out the maintenance regularly.
- Developing a responsibility chain, so that your family members or employees know their responsibilities.
- A set procedure to handle common maintenance problems.
CCTV Checklist for Maintenance
Creating a maintenance checklist for your CCTV system is incremental for optimal performance. It is one of those things where you cannot leave things to chance or compromise. That said, you must keep in mind that CCTV cameras have varying features. There is no one-for-all checklist that would stand valid for all cameras and their configurations.
However, a few common things that you need to maintain in all CCTV systems are as under:
- Optical Components
The optical components of CCTV systems ensure proper functioning and reduce the chances of physical wear and tear. Here are the things you must check regularly for CCTV maintenance:
- Check if the lens focus and auto iris is adjusted accurately.
- Ensure that the housing window is clean both on the inside and outside.
- The camera enclosure on the inside should be clean and dry.
- Camera field of view can often fall out of focus. Check it regularly and adjust it according to your needs.
- Even when you have a CCTV camera in an indoor setting, the lenses can have a dust buildup over time. Check the lenses of the cameras regularly to ensure they are dust-free.
- Assign someone in the control room to check daily that the pan tilt and zoom focus are operational.
- Wires and Cables
The next most important thing to check are the power cables that reach your cameras. Your cameras must be adequately connected to the power source and transmit data properly. Here are the things to keep a check on in this regard:
- Ensure that the wiring is intact and there are no exposed wires.
- Keep an eye on any loose or fraying wires and cables that can disrupt the power or transmission.
- Check regularly that the devices are receiving adequate power supply.
- Monitor the transmission of video and sound daily.
- Recording and Control Equipment
Your CCTV maintenance must not be limited to your cameras alone. All supporting tools, including the recording and control equipment should be operational too. Here’s how to ensure it:
- Check the monitors to ensure that the display is clear and bright. Adjust the contrast settings if needed.
- Clean dust or grime from the monitor with the help of a microfiber cloth.
- Adjust and maintain the date and time stamp on the display.
CCTV maintenance can be a time-consuming task and it doesn’t mean you have to do it all by yourself. Reach out to Eagle Security Solutions for installation and maintenance of your CCTV system.