Other factors such as where the camera is located, the angle, and or measure detection range, must be considered when determining how to ensure the accuracy of your CCTV systems.
CCTV does not always guarantee a conviction. What CCTV systems do is provide security personal monitoring surveillance systems to take immediate action in case of a security threat. To make their jobs easier and to protect your business, we’ve highlighted key points as to how to protect your perimeter and how to avoid blind spots with your CCTV systems.
How to Avoid Any Possible Blind Spots With Your Security Camera Coverage
A blind spot refers to the areas that aren’t in the peripheral vision of the installed camera. Since all cameras have limited range, all areas may not be monitored.
Every security camera will have a blind spot but in order to successfully cover as much ground as possible, CCTV security systems must be designed with a ‘zero blind spot’ capability. This is determined by where the cameras are located. Ideally, each camera’s view must overlap with the blind spot of the camera located closest to it to ensure optimal coverage.
A practical example of effective CCTV coverage occurs within a mall in Toronto, where 73% of the cameras are not visible to shoppers, yet they’re situated closely enough together to ensure every corner of their businesses are covered. Whether your camera is indoors or outdoors, it’s important to situate each camera to avoid any blind spots in the perimeter you are covering.
Consider the Following When You’re Avoiding CCTV Blind Spots
- Review the building plan and put in the ideal locations you need to install a camera. Consider the distance and detection range of each specific surveillance zone. It is best to locate your camera as close to the surveillance area first and then choose how much zoom you need.Tip: Consult the experts and ask what kind of lens or camera works best for your floor plan to avoid as many blind spots as you can with camera placement and range of each individual camera.
- Take photos of the areas you want to cover from the proposed camera locations to understand the field of view or area of surveillance. This will help you determine what lens you need, how far away to place the camera, and how wide the viewing area is.
- Determine what you’re aiming to capture with each camera to figure out what type of camera you’ll need. This will help you determine the camera resolution.Are you going to place this camera indoors to capture a person’s face or are you looking to get a clear image for a car license plate outdoors? Each camera location will determine what you need to maximize your surveillance potential, avoid blind spots and ensure clear footage.
- Is there potential for vandalism with your indoor or outdoor security systems? Will your camera be susceptible to damage if an intruder can access it and block the camera’s view to obstruct the footage? Vandal-proof cameras are an option if your cameras are likely to be vandalised.
- Consider lighting in the area that your cameras will cover. Is the space bright or dimly lit? Are the lights turned off at night? Will you need additional lighting to ensure that the images aren’t dark and so you can see what is going on? Do you need infrared CCTV cameras?
Be Sure to Consider Nature and External Intrusions Into Your Digital Security Camera Coverage
With outdoor CCTV systems, movement and external forces can contribute to blind spots when covering a certain perimeter. Movement from wind, trees or an object blowing into your camera’s peripheral may hinder the clarity of footage and help intruders take advantage of blind spots.
Furthermore, these types of movements or false intrusions may trigger alarms, but fortunately, CCTV security systems can now filter through images and determine real threats from just natural movement or forces. An alarm won’t be triggered simply if a plastic bag flies too close to your CCTV system.
Similarly, it’s important to pay attention to camera angles and location in regards to nature. Is the sunlight directly hitting your camera lens or is there an object that can obstruct the camera’s vision and result in blind spots resulting from natural sources. These factors must be routinely checked due to natural environmental changes.
An example of this may involve a CCTV system being installed near a tree, whereby its branches grow out and block the camera’s view. It is important to be vigilant and keep nature in mind when it comes to outdoor CCTV systems.
