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SYSTEM OVERVIEW
CCTV
When planning a new Closed Circuit Television System (CCTV) one of the most important steps is a clear definition of needs.
One of the best ways to document this is through a camera detail schedule.
This document provides essential elements for the other crafts on the project in understanding the design of the proposed camera system.
It will also provide a ready means for establishing the budget for the project.
It is a matrix that can more easily be develop by using a spreadsheet program but those without spreadsheet experience will find a paper form to be a useful solution.
You should construct your form or spreadsheet using the following guide.
CAMERA VIEW
The first column in your camera detail schedule is “camera view”.
The camera view or camera location indicates to other crafts what this camera is to be looking at or where the camera is to be located.
Oftentimes this designation is “rooftop - northeast corner” or “rear hall door”.
The names given to the camera view should be names easily recognized by the facility users.
When doing your site survey, it is important to establish this nomenclature with the facilities security manager over the force that will be monitoring these CCTV images.
LOCATION REFERENCE FOR NEW CAMERA
The second column in your camera detail schedule is “location reference on drawing”.
A facility plan is an essential part of communicating where these devices are to be located.
It is unlikely that there will be preexisting designations for these camera locations.
So, the security professional must use a numbering plan to help indicate the location of these devices for other crafts working on the project.
That numbering plan should start with a floor designation followed by a dash then followed by an arbitrary numbering system which identifies specific locations.
CAMERA TYPE AND CAPABILITIES
The next column in your matrix should be “camera”.
There are two options for camera type, standard and low light.
This does not necessarily mean these are the only two types that may be shown there.
There are a number of specialized cameras that can be used in any given application and it would be most helpful to other professionals on the project for the security professional to indicate which camera type is preferred.
CAMERA LENSES
The next column in your camera detail schedule is “lenses”.
Again, brand and model would be most helpful for other crafts in the projects however at this stage in system development it is essential only to indicate if the lens is a fixed or zoom lens and the appropriate magnification required for either type.
In the case of zoom lenses you should indicate the lowest and highest number that you wish the camera to be able to zoom through and in the case of fixed lenses you should indicate the fixed focal length desired for that lens.
Camera manufacturers often provide handy tools that will illustrate the appropriate lens size for a given measurement of distance and field of view.
By using such tools you may select the measured distance between the camera and the object you wish to view and the vertical and horizontal field to be included in that view.
These shortcut tools will then provide you with the appropriate lens size.
FURTHER CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS
The next column in your camera detail schedule is “iris”.
Generally speaking, there are three designations for iris; they are automatic, motorized manual and manual.
Automatic is used in all outdoor applications to automatically adjust for varying light conditions.
Motorized manual lenses allow the user to remotely change the iris setting based on the desired light level needed for a quality image.
Manual lenses are usually reserved for indoor applications where the light source is predictable and fixed.
These irises are adjusted during installation and remain at that setting.
CAMERA HOUSING
The next column in your camera detail schedule matrix is “housing”.
Housings may be indoor or outdoor and may have a variety of special features.
Some of these features are fans for hot environments and wipers for clearing rain from the outer surface of the housing window to permit a clearer view.
Make the appropriate decision for which housing you wish to place at this location and indicate so in this column.
CAMERA MOUNT
The next column in your camera detail schedule is “mount”.
There are a variety of mounts available for cameras and within each category there are a variety of types of mounts.
Again, other professionals on the job will need a specific indication of the type of mount needed for this camera installation.
However, as previously stated it may be impractical to take your specification of this level of detail at this point in system design.
Therefore, you should at least indicate if this a ceiling mount, wall mount, pedestal mount or post mount.
This will be very helpful in determining the budget for the project.
CAMERA PAN & TILT CONTROL
The next column in your camera detail schedule is “pan/tilt control”.
This should indicate to other crafts on the project if a pan/tilt control motor drive is needed for this camera view.
It should be understood that in all applications where a zoom lens is used, pan/tilt controls are an essential part of the camera equipment.
Attempting to use zoom lenses without pan/tilt control can frequently lead to zooming in on an object and not being able to see the most significant part of that object.
This approach should help you plan your new CCTV system and assist other professionals on the project in planning your budget and implementation.
This approach should help you plan your new CCTV system and assist other professionals on the project in planning your budget and implementation.
RESISTANCE FORCE OF POWER MAGNETS
Once mounted, wiring is run from the electro magnet to a power source that is controlled by the access control system.
When power is turned on, the lock is locked and when power is turned off the lock is unlocked. When installed properly, these locks have a resistance force that varies depending of the model of the manufacturer from 650 pounds to 1,500 pounds of force.
That is to say, 1,500 pounds of force against the subject door would be required to defeat the magnet.
In most cases that much force would generally result in the door being pulled away from its hinges making this type of lock highly effective.
However, door resistance values vary and a suitable lock should be selected predicated upon the resistance value of the door. It does little good to have a door lock that will resist 1,500 pounds of force when the door itself can only resist 1,000 pounds of force.
However, door resistance values vary and a suitable lock should be selected predicated upon the resistance value of the door. It does little good to have a door lock that will resist 1,500 pounds of force when the door itself can only resist 1,000 pounds of force.
POWER MAGNETS AND LOCAL FIRE CODE ORDINANCES
When selecting power magnet locks, pay close attention to local fire code ordinances.
Under current NFPA guidelines, primary exit doors should be operable in a single motion.
If power magnet locks are installed and an exit button is used to provide lock release (as is commonly done), doors with door handle hardware will require a two step process for egress.
The two steps are defined as first pushing the egress button and second turning the door handle to open the door. In most instances prevailing fire codes will not permit this to be used. Also, power magnet locks can be defeated by a variety of means. One of the most common methods of defeating power magnet locks is to tape a silver dime across the face of the lock or the strike plate thereby lowering the contact value between the two components of the lock. When this occurs, the lock will seem to be locked and will offer resistance to minimal force (as is used when doors are checked by security personnel). However, when sufficient force is applied, less than the stated holding value of the lock, the lock will yield and the door will open.
The two steps are defined as first pushing the egress button and second turning the door handle to open the door. In most instances prevailing fire codes will not permit this to be used. Also, power magnet locks can be defeated by a variety of means. One of the most common methods of defeating power magnet locks is to tape a silver dime across the face of the lock or the strike plate thereby lowering the contact value between the two components of the lock. When this occurs, the lock will seem to be locked and will offer resistance to minimal force (as is used when doors are checked by security personnel). However, when sufficient force is applied, less than the stated holding value of the lock, the lock will yield and the door will open.
POWER MAGNETS NOT FOR EVERY APPLICATION
Although the installation of these locks is relatively inexpensive and fairly easy, it is inappropriate to apply this type of lock indiscriminately.
There are other locking types available, but these are the most common variety.
You should keep these conditions in mind when designating the locks for your new access control system.
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