There are 4 key stages when planning the installation of a cctv system in the “OR”. As the owner or operator of a cctv system your responsibility is to draw up Level 1, 2 and 4, it is the installer/integrator who has to design and produce documentation for level 3. The level 3 documentation should form part of the quotation for the installation and after commissioning, form part of your asset register and a record of all the equipment installed.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT THE “OR”

WHAT DO I NEED TO SEE? AND WHY DO I NEED TO SEE IT?

CCTV should never be seen as a stand alone security solution, it should be considered an integral part of your overall security requirement. Undertake a risk assessment and ensure all stakeholders are consulted.

Have a site plan drawn up, detail upon this the risk areas, likely direction of movement and speed of targets. Consider lighting in areas to be viewed and type of image required.

The responsibility of the chosen installer/integrator to draw up and document. The owner in the knowledge that each quotation proposal received has been produced against the same requirement, can select the most appropriate technical solution, and select the supplier of choice accordingly.

Test the view from each camera to ensure correct area coverage and check that the image requirement is being met as per Level 1 and 2 of the “OR”. Remember it is the recorded images that we are most concerned with.

For each camera in your system you need to record your requirements. The example below is one simple but effective way of doing this. You will need to understand the purpose of the bands on the test target.

A site plan is an essential element of the “OR”

These can be complex models or the more basic line drawing, the most important thing is that a site plan enables you to consider the site in the round.

Doors, access areas and passages can easily be overlooked without a site plan.

Thinking around security issues can be explored much more clearly from site plans. The direction of targets, be that people or vehicles can be plotted. Pinch points can be identified for the placement of cameras, lighting issues can be identified day as well as night and in particular sun light direction can be considered.

A camera viewing an area that has sunlight at certain times of the day directly pointing into the camera lens will render that camera useless.

The direction and flow of potential targets is so important, be that people or vehicles, these must be considered in detail. We have seen cameras positioned to observe people, placed so as to see only the back of peoples heads 80% of the time. Simply because the general flow of people through the area was in one direction most of the time. This was not considered prior to the camera installation, therefore images were 80% of the time not fit for purpose.

Simplifying Your CCTV requirements is what we do.

It is recognised world wide that the foundation stone of any CCTV system is the Operational Requirement the “OR” as stated in the latest BS EN 62676-4:2015 standard. Time and Time again we find owners and operators of CCTV systems do not and in many cases have never herd of an “OR” or any standards relating to CCTV systems.

Installations across the world are put in without an “OR”. The results are predictable, CCTV images do not cover vital areas, images are poor or unusable and in many cases you only find out when an incident occurs.

You require usable, actionable fit for purpose images, or why have CCTV at all?

We can undertake the drafting of an “OR” on your behalf, the advantage to you are that you get to save considerable time and our experience gained over many years is at your disposal

You can download and view a copy of our SBD certificate and if required other company policy documents from our contact page.

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