Two to tender

When you submit a tender, it’s likely to include confidential information (for example your methodology, details of equipment suppliers and key personnel, etc). If this is being submitted to a public authority, you have to be aware that information could possibly be released to a member of the public if they make a Freedom of Information request.

Although you may consider it confidential, the public authority to which you submit the tender may not agree with you. Even if they do agree with you, it could be challenged by the person making the Freedom of Information request with the Information Commissioner, who may not agree with either yourself or the public authority and then order the information to be released.

CCTV managers should establish in their own minds what information contained in the tender document is of such a confidential nature that they would not – under any circumstances – wish it to be released to another person or organisation other than the public authority to whom they are submitting the tender. A suggestion for dealing with this would be to submit your tender in two parts (ie the basic tender, which would not reveal any of your confidential information, and then a second part which you would agree with the authority to which you are submitting that it would be ‘for their eyes only’). This will help in reducing the loss of one of your greatest assets, namely information.

Prior to submitting the tender to a public authority, CCTV managers are urged to visit the authority’s web site and review its Freedom of Information Policy. Each public authority has to publish one. This will give the manager concerned a pretty good idea as to how their partner views confidential information.

Outsourcing and CCTV

From time to time you may engage the services of an outside agency to assist with your CCTV function. This could be to monitor the images, degauze the disks or pixel-out parts of images, etc. You should enter into a formal contract with whomever it is you are working. The Data Protection Act 1998 must also be considered.

The CCTV manager should ask the company with whom his or her own organisation is going to form a working alliance to genuinely become involved in the host company’s CCTV solution. That involvement would most likely manifest itself in the capturing or storage of images. Obviously, this would fall within the category of processing personal data.

As you will have been the one to determine which type of processing is to take place (ie degauzing, pixellation etc), you will be the Data Controller. As long as they are not employed directly by you on a PAYE basis, the organisation you are working with will be processing data on your behalf and will thus be acting as the Data Processor. This is a legal relationship. The Data Protection Act is quite clear that it has to be “evidenced in writing”.

As a result, the four clauses in contract law must be in place (ie offer, acceptance, consideration, legally binding). However, as has been mentioned in this series of articles, the Data Protection Act imposes a 5th Clause whereby the contract will involve the processing of personal data. That clause has to point out to the Data Processor that they must comply with the Data Protection Act, and have a specific emphasis on Article 7 (the security of the personal data processed).

Basic system planning

CCTV managers should establish what information contained in the tender document is of such a confidential nature that they would not wish it to be released to another person or organisation other than the public authority to whom they are submitting the tender

CCTV can be broken down into two distinctly different segments: internal and external (a division that specifically determines equipment types). Internal systems will operate in a controlled environment (lighting, temperature, humidity, dirt, etc). On the other hand, external surveillance systems operate in an uncontrolled environment (where there can be extreme temperature variations, fog, rain, snow, wind, wide variations in lighting and dust/dirt levels).

It is important to think carefully about the purpose and role of each camera. For example, if an area is particularly important then a fixed camera should always be trained on it. If it is a general overview of a bigger area, then a moving or dome camera could ‘patrol’. Bear in mind that the cost of a moving camera is often as much as several fixed models, which represent a simpler maintenance regime.

Mobile cameras must be moved if they are to fulfil their potential. In reality, this means a monitoring operative controlling the camera, the camera moving as part of a pre-programmed tour and/or being called to a set position if there is an alarm generated by something else (for example, a perimeter fencing protection system).

What do you expect to see from your cameras? Are they for observation/detection? The recognition of someone or something? The identification of strangers, or perhaps for reading vehicle number plates?

Each requires a different minimum size of image on screen for the user to define those things which, in turn, governs camera type, position, lens and lighting. For more target size information end users should log on at: www. publications.psdb.gov.uk/publications.asp

The size of the target on screen is also affected by the distance the subject is from the camera to the angle of the lens being used. While a wide angle lens will give a wide angle of view, the ‘depth of field’ will be reduced, as will the target size. Camera lens selection is a critical factor in determining the image seen. It demands meticulous consideration, particularly when you are deciding upon the ‘purpose’ of any given camera view.

Cameras... Colour or monochrome?

Colour CCTV cameras present far more ‘evidence’ information (red car, blue coat, etc). That said, they’re very much dependent on good levels of area lighting. They are likely to have a lower resolution and sensitivity than monochrome variants. Colour rendition is dependent on reflected light levels, so colour accuracy cannot be guaranteed unless a minimum level of illumination is maintained.

Monochrome cameras are able to function in a wider range of lighting (including low light) and at a relatively low cost. As the basic picture information is monochrome, much lower illumination levels (reflected light) can be achieved while still delivering usable video even down beyond what is visible to the human eye – including into the infrared spectrum.

What of dual technology cameras, though? Of course, many companies now manufacture surveillance cameras that offer excellent colour performance during daylight hours, switching over to low light monochrome performance at night. Cameras certainly perform best with infrared (invisible) lighting.

Ideally, any camera sun shields should be adjustable rather than fixed. On cheaper housings they are not. This can seriously affect camera performance, in particular when the sun rises or sets and is at a lower azimuth

Any partially-lit areas will need careful consideration as to camera positioning and night-time view to make absolutely sure that end results are satisfactory.

As stated, when cameras are located externally they are subject to the elements. Sadly, housings are all-too-often overlooked and the cheapest possible fitted. This is a false economy. The end result? Poor camera life.

Things to look out for are good weather seals. Flimsy, cheap seals can easily be damaged during routine maintenance, while the ingress of damp is nothing less than a ‘camera killer’.

Ideally, any camera sun shields should be adjustable rather than fixed. On cheaper housings they are not. This can seriously affect camera performance, in particular when the sun rises or sets and is at a lower azimuth.

Cameras should always be angled down and the sun shield subsequently adjusted such that maximum protection from the weather and solar glare is realised.

Rain gutters and water resistance

External cameras should also have rain gutters around the edge of their sunshield to prevent any water from dripping in front of the unit. A drip of water appears quite large due to its close proximity to the lens, but is on screen momentarily. This can be hugely distracting for monitoring operatives (and will also confuse any auto detection system such as video motion detection).

If you already have cameras installed on site, here’s a useful tip... At the next service ‘window’, ask your engineer to squeeze a bead of silicon sealant along the edge of the sun shield. This will deflect any rain drops, and is a cheap solution to what can be a massive problem for a good many end users.

In terms of IP water resistance, generally speaking any housing, junction box or dome camera should carry an IP rating. Here, the first figure defines resistance to dust, the second figure resistance to water (IP 66 is dust-resistant, and protects from hoses). IP 65, IP 66 and IP 67 should be suitable for exposed applications. Designations below this level should only be used where the camera units are protected from direct exposure to rain, etc.

All cable entries must be ‘glanded’ in order to meet the standard of the enclosure.