Page 116 - Electronic Mechanic - TP - Volume - 2
P. 116
ELECTRONICS MECHANIC - CITS
Practical Guidelines for Commercial CCTV Installations
When installing CCTV systems in commercial properties, it’s essential to adhere to specific guidelines set by UK
data protection law. Here’s a summary of the key points businesses need to follow:
1 Signage: Clearly display signs to inform people that CCTV is in operation and explain the reason for its use.
This helps in maintaining transparency with the public.
2 Access to Footage: If someone is recorded on your CCTV, you must be able to provide them with their images
within one calendar month upon request. This is part of the individual’s right to access personal data.
3 Cooperation with Authorities: Be prepared to share CCTV footage with authorities, like the police, if they legally
request it. This can be crucial for law enforcement and public safety.
4 Retention of Footage: Store CCTV images only for as long as necessary for your business needs. Avoid
keeping footage for longer than required, as this can breach data protection principles.
5 Data Protection Fee: Pay the required data protection fee. This fee is a legal obligation for businesses operating
CCTV.
6 No Charging for Image Provision: Generally, you can’t charge a fee for providing someone with their images
from your CCTV.
Additionally, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) provides comprehensive guidance on using CCTV
cameras and storing images. The ICO has a useful checklist to assess your CCTV system, ensuring it complies
with legal requirements.
Key Compliance Areas in Commercial CCTV Use
While understanding the legal underpinnings of the DPA and GDPR is crucial, equally important is the practical
implementation of these regulations in the day-to-day operation of CCTV systems in commercial settings. This
section will cover the operational compliance areas that businesses must consider.
Procedure:
Here are six basic steps for installing a CCTV system:
1 Plan : Planning is vital for your CCTV installations. Decide where you want to place the cameras, how large
an area do you want to cover, and consider what type of camera you want to use.
2 Run the cables to the camera sites : Use structured cabling that runs throughout the walls and connects
your security cameras to the server or NVR.
3 Connect the cables to the DVR : A DVR is a device that stores the video footage from your camera.
4 Mount and install the cameras : Place the camera’s power wire into a socket. Ensure that the camera is
above 10ft so that it cannot be easily knocked down.
5 Switch on the power :
6 Set-up the DVR : Connect the DVR to a power socket and then turn on the DVR.
Here are some additional tips for installing CCTV cameras:
Result: Thus we followed the CCTV installation in a building successfully.
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CITS : E & H - Electronics Mechanic - Exercise 147