Surveillance camera maintenance: why is it important?
By:admin |
Surveillance camera maintenance may not seem like the most attractive subject, but it is certainly one of the most important. Without regular and diligent maintenance, both “digital” and physical, the quality of video images will begin to erode and risk failure.
The need for “digital” maintenance of surveillance cameras, specifically through the timely application of firmware and software updates, is necessary to maintain and monitor performance, as well as ensure effective cybersecurity. However, the physical maintenance of surveillance cameras, which is no less important for maximum performance, can be less rigorous.
Physical camera maintenance remains in no man’s land
In our experience, the physical maintenance of surveillance cameras is rarely specified, let alone clearly documented and therefore overlooked. This can be expensive.
One reason is that surveillance cameras often fall outside the scope of other physical infrastructure maintenance, eg window cleaning or general building maintenance. Even though many surveillance cameras (though obviously not all) may be easily accessible to those who clean the windows, they are rarely, if ever, tasked with cleaning the cameras.
This could be understandable. Even if they are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, surveillance cameras are still sophisticated pieces of technology. Anyone who lacks the knowledge, skills and equipment to maintain them will inevitably not want to touch them in case they damage or even move the camera.
Manufacturers must play a role. We should take more responsibility for providing instructions and guidance on physical maintenance, including specifications for cleaning agents and materials.
The impact of poorly maintained cameras
It is essential that the approach to the physical maintenance of the cameras is improved so that they perform to their full potential, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It goes without saying that a primary requirement of surveillance cameras is a clear view of the scene. Anything that obstructs that view affects performance, and this is becoming even more important in a world where edge analytics is increasingly used.
To some extent, human operators can cope with scene views that are “good enough.” That said, when it comes to post-incident investigations, less than perfect images can be costly. An operator might be more than able to clearly see the vehicles at a scene, but if a license plate is partially obscured in an incident investigation, the effectiveness of surveillance footage would suffer.
Increasingly, analysis at the “edge”, i.e. in cameras, means that images are “seen” in a completely different way. Processing units look at data, while humans look at images, and the impact of unclear images can be enormous. There is no way for a processor to “see around” a partially obscured view. If the data says it’s not a vehicle, it’s not a vehicle.
For human operators and processors, problems can be worse at night and in low light. In these situations, cameras use infrared (IR) to illuminate a scene. Dirt on the front lens or dome cover of a camera that is barely visible during the day can drastically affect the image at night due to IR light reflections.
Similarly, the cobwebs are barely visible during daylight, but again, at night they’re brilliantly illuminated by the camera’s built-in IR illumination. Additionally, a spider web gently swaying in the breeze can cause a significant increase in bit rate and the associated bandwidth and storage required. Modern AI analytics will have a hard time doing their job. A clear image of a spider on its web might be great for a TV nature show, but it’s less useful for surveillance.
Lack of regular physical maintenance can also have an impact beyond image quality. A buildup of dirt and dust on a camera, or even insects nesting in the camera’s ventilation channels, can also lead to overheating issues and potential component failure if left unaddressed.
Help with physical maintenance
There are a number of ways that camera physical maintenance can become a priority, rather than an afterthought or even ignored, and everyone in the value chain has a role to play:
Security solutions consultants can specify maintenance according to the environmental conditions of the place in general and of each camera in particular.
Customers can make use of their established, effective and, most importantly, already funded maintenance processes. Cleaning windows and cameras is really not very complicated to implement…
Manufacturers must specify maintenance in user documentation. In addition, light image analysis can be used to identify problems as early as possible and support regular maintenance. Maintenance tables must be created, generating task lists with instructions and specific positions of the camera, etc.
A more proactive approach to physical maintenance of cameras not only keeps them fit for purpose for which they were installed, but can also lead to operational efficiencies themselves. Cameras are maintained when needed, rather than routinely, which in some cases could mean less time spent on maintenance than before.
Surveillance cameras represent a significant investment for any organization. If the maximum return on that investment is to be obtained over the longest possible life of the product, effective physical maintenance is essential.
Take good care of your surveillance cameras. After all, you may need them.
Do you want more information?
Please contact us.
+52 (614) 200 86 21
CODETEC is a company specialized in the design, engineering, implementation and support of special systems. We have more than 16 years as an integrator of technological solutions nationally and partly abroad :
- Chihuahua, Chih. (Corporate)
- Cd. Juárez, Chih.
- El Paso, Texas.
- CDMX
- Cd. Obregon, Son.
- Guadalajara, Jal.
- Merida, Yuc.
- Piedras Negras, Coah.
- Queretaro, Qro.
- San Luis Potosí, SLP
- Veracruz
CODETEC is an IT Partner of Axis Communications, a leading company in the network video industry, which offers products and services for video surveillance and analysis, access control, intercoms, and audio systems. https://www.codetec.com.mx
