Correctly defining where to place security cameras is essential to protect our facilities. Especially when we are talking about industrial security, where we find large spaces to protect, with a wide perimeter and, sometimes, in remote and uninhabited environments, such as photovoltaic parks or industrial estates.
In this type of space, security measures must be redoubled. Remote surveillance is essential. It plays an active and passive security role: it serves to protect us when the intrusion or whatever risk has occurred and also to deter potential intruders. It also allows security managers to detect possible intruders in the vicinity of our facilities and be alert to prevent them from entering.
In the event of fire or other catastrophes, the correct location of security cameras can be used to direct the work of rescue teams and locate trapped people (such as special cameras for ATEX environments in the oil & gas industry).
When defining the location of security cameras, it is also necessary to take into account factors such as the type of industry in which we find ourselves. It is not the same to protect a shopping center than an oil plant or a photovoltaic park. Other aspects such as the weather also influence. Security cameras have to be able to adapt to extreme climates: very rainy areas, with snow or desert climate.
Some recommended rules when installing security cameras
When security cameras are located indoors, they are placed mainly in the corners, since they cover a greater angle of view. They are also placed at points where possible entry points such as doors and windows are covered.
In indoor surveillance, it is common to combine visible cameras with invisible cameras. The former cover most of the critical points and the invisible ones are used to protect blind spots, where conventional cameras cannot reach.
If the building has several floors, it is advisable to maximize the presence of cameras on the ground floor, where most intrusions occur. It is also advisable to place night vision cameras for dark or poorly lit environments.
Outside the facilities, it is necessary to cover all possible access points, such as the door or the fences or walls that delimit the perimeter of our facilities. You also have to have cameras outside monitoring the doors and entrances to buildings.
The cameras have to be high enough so that they cannot be reached from the ground. Cameras outside must be visible as this has a significant deterrent effect. When seeing them, thieves always think twice before entering. We also have to take into account the regulations for the protection of personal data and privacy, especially if the cameras are pointing towards public roads or private homes.
The dead zones of security cameras
The dead zone of the security camera is the area below the camera where it cannot reach. It is out of your field of vision, which is why it is called a dead zone. In the design of the security installation, it is necessary to take into account all the possible blind angles of the cameras, so that these are covered with others that cover that space.
Dead zones is one of the great security challenges, and the one that professional thieves often look for to sneak inside industrial facilities.
Types of security cameras and where to locate them
The cameras can be classified into two large groups according to where to place the security cameras. So we have indoor cameras and outdoor cameras. Depending on the type of technology they use, we can find other types.
Infrared Cameras
They are cameras that allow night vision thanks to infrared technology. They are ideal for monitoring spaces 24 hours a day, both indoors and outdoors. These cameras can record in color during the day and in black and white when it is night or there is no lighting.
Vandal Cameras
In high-traffic areas and where there is a large public, also in remote environments, special cameras are used, which have greater protection against vandalism. These cameras are equipped with highly resistant metal casings and special tubes that protect the wiring. They are mounted on public roads, in squares, but also outside warehouses and parking lots. They are subjected to very demanding tests to be able to verify their resistance to all kinds of aggressions.
IP Cameras
The IP cameras are connected to the internet. They can be wired or wireless, and are controlled remotely, from a computer or mobile phone with a network connection.
Motorized and zoom cameras
They are dome cameras that can rotate at different angles and move on a fixed axis. An example would be PTZ type cameras, which allow you to cover up to 360º around them. They are ideal for creating a complete CCTV. In addition, these cameras also have zooms that allow you to zoom in or out of objects as appropriate.
Hidden Cameras
Hidden cameras are very useful to place them in strategic places to cover possible smaller places or that are out of the control of the visible cameras. They are ideal for protecting blind spots. Or places where we are interested in not knowing that there is a security camera.
Why we need a consulting firm specialized in security
To protect industrial spaces it is necessary to have a consultancy specialized in security. Prior to the installation of security measures, a complete engineering study is essential to plan what are the video surveillance measures and other devices that we have to install.
The security consultancy takes care of the three phases of any security project: design, installation and also the maintenance of the equipment. The security consultant will tell us where to place the security cameras, something crucial to protect our company.
