Security system customers often ask whether CCTV maintenance or intruder alarm maintenance are really necessary. Here’s what we say:
Do CCTV security systems and Intruder Alarms need regular maintenance?
A dying battery or a loose connection might be all it takes.
Something so simple, yet either can leave you without any effective CCTV or intruder alarm protection. And if the security of your home or business is compromised at the same time, the loss or damage suffered will be felt even more.
That’s why regular security system servicing and maintenance is vital. Because without it you’re putting your home or business at unnecessary risk. But what does CCTV and Intruder Alarm maintenance involve?
What does regular CCTV maintenance cover?
By necessity, commercial CCTV security camera systems will have higher technical specifications than those designed to protect residential properties. And are often multi-camera systems with internal and external coverage.
For example, commercial systems can cover vehicle access points, car parks, building entrances and exits (including fire exits). And with cameras installed inside a building, customers and staff can also be monitored if required. Commercial CCTV systems can also come with specialist capabilities such as ANPR – Automatic Number Plate Recognition.
However, without the regular maintenance of your CCTV equipment, the same kind of faults and problems can occur in both commercial and residential systems. That’s why you’ll find much of the servicing and maintenance checklist applies to both home and business CCTV systems.
Here’s a snapshot of what your CCTV maintenance visit from SFB Solutions will include…
• Clean all cameras
• Remove cameras and check connections and equipment.
• Check wiring
• Check recorder
• Check internet connection and speeds
• Check camera connections at recorder
• Check power connectors
• Check power supply for malfunctions
• Check voltages on power lines
• Interrogate hard drive
• Check recordings
• Check time and date and adjust if needed
• Check how long recordings are lasting
• Check views and images of cameras
• Check night images.
This isn’t an exhaustive list. And no one CCTV system is the same. But all reputable security system service providers will tailor their maintenance and servicing visits around the type of CCTV camera system and equipment you operate. And your own individual requirements.
For instance, a business may have staff monitoring its CCTV camera system from an on-site control room. And so as part of any maintenance schedule, these systems – including a camera’s pan, tilt and zoom function – will all be checked and tested.
Commercial CCTV cameras and systems can also be installed at heights above those found in a domestic setting. Gaining access to these difficult to reach systems will therefore require the use of specialist equipment.
And for those parts of the security system with additional capabilities such as ANPR or facial recognition, software upgrades may be needed.
But how often should CCTV systems be serviced?
For a domestic system, every twelve months is usually sufficient. But it’s also a good idea to make your own regular basic checks in between services. Spiders can rebuild webs in between CCTV maintenance appointments.
With commercial CCTV systems, service intervals should be at least every twelve months. But this does depend on your specific requirements and the type of system you operate. And so in some cases, servicing every six months or even monthly may be recommended.
Prevention is always better than cure. So, whether your CCTV security system is protecting your home or business, it’s vital you keep it well maintained and have it serviced regularly. The same applies to your burglar alarm system too.
CCTV Maintenance near me
Essex-based Business and home owners often call SFB Solutions or pop into our shop on Canvey Island to see if we can help them with their CCTV maintenance.
The situation is normally that they have had a camera system installed and they are paying for CCTV maintenance but they are not getting the service or customer care they expected. The company is not responsive to their calls or doesn’t turn up when an appointment is arranged.
In some cases, they were never offered a CCTV maintenance contract for their cameras in the first place. So the system has not received the TLC required to keep it in good working order.
Things are starting to fail. Picture quality is not what it should be. This means that, if there was an incident, the footage would not be of a good enough quality for the Police to see the intruders OR the footage would not have been recorded at all.
SFB understand how important CCTV servicing is. We arrange a regular maintenance with all our CCTV customers. And we are happy to take calls if one of our customers needs help in the interim.
Remember, we are very happy to take over CCTV maintenance contracts for systems that were installed by another security company.
INTRUDER ALARM SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Whether you call it a burglar alarm or an intruder alarm, it’s a valuable addition to the other security measures you may have in place, such as CCTV cameras, to protect your home or business.
And just as with your CCTV security system, intruder alarm maintenance and servicing is also required regularly. Ideally, this should be undertaken at least annually.
Although if your alarm system is monitored remotely or requires Police Response, servicing every six months is more advisable. With a shorter servicing interval, it makes it easier to spot potential problems earlier and so prevent a fault triggering the alarm unnecessarily.
Here’s what your routine Intruder Alarm maintenance visit will generally cover…
• Inspecting all accessible components, connections, and cables for deterioration or damage.
• Checking mains power supply and backup battery – including its charging rate.
• Checking and testing sensors in every location to ensure each works as it should.
• For wireless alarm systems, the battery for each sensor is also tested.
• Checking alarm signalling equipment for systems with remote/police monitoring if installed.
• Check voltages, charging voltages and battery output, electronic test the battery as well
It’s also advisable to undertake your own inspections between regular service schedules as there are some maintenance tasks you can do yourself – such as ensuring cobwebs or dust are not obscuring your PIR sensors.
After all, neither you nor your neighbours will appreciate it if your alarm keeps going off accidentally – especially if the culprit is nothing more than a spider!
Burglar Alarm Maintenance Near Me
SFB Solutions often get asked to come out to domestic and commercial burglar alarm systems that have been installed by competitors… but are not being maintained. Error messages and false alarms are leaving the properties insecure. And taking away the owners’ peace of mind.
This could be because no intruder alarm maintenance contract exists. Or because the customer is not happy with the level of service they are receiving.
We are happy to take over burglar alarm systems in Essex and London that have been installed by other security companies.
That’s what happened with this intruder alarm and cctv system in Billericay.
Here’s another reason for Security System maintenance
As well as offering you physical security for your home or business, CCTV camera security systems and Intruder alarms also act as a visible deterrent. As a result, insurance companies will usually reward you with lower premiums.
However, that will be worth little if your CCTV and Burglar alarm systems aren’t regularly maintained. Because, should they fail when you need them most, your insurance company may decide to limit any payout on a claim. Or worse still, not pay out at all.
That’s why the only sure way of knowing that your CCTV and intruder alarm systems are working exactly as they should is to have them regularly maintained and serviced. Without it, they’re a wasted asset. And your home or business is left totally unprotected.
CAN SFB HELP WITH YOUR SECURITY SYSTEM MAINTENANCE?
SFB Solutions is accredited by the SSAIB and a member of the Buying With Confidence Trading Standards Approval Scheme.
Whether it’s CCTV maintenance or intruder alarm maintenance, we can help keep your security system in good working order. So it works when you need it most!
We are also happy to take over maintenance contracts for CCTV systems and burglar alarms that we did not install. If you’re unhappy with your current service contract, please get in touch.
Contact us to speak to an expert.
Phone: 01268 937006
Buying With Confidence Trading Standards Scheme
Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board
National Security Inspectorate
This blog post is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. Call SFB on 01268 937006 to speak to a professional for specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
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