CCTV installations – are they up to current standards?
CCTV installations – are they up to current standards?
By Tony Barnwell, TUV Product Service Ltd
Published: September 2007 - Home Office Review
The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) has published guidance for organisations wishing to install or upgrade CCTV systems. Publication of a joint report from Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on CCTV strategy has been delayed, but is eagerly awaited from organisations such as the CCTV User Group, whose members are keen to see standardisation in the industry in order to save costs and improve efficiency.
Following a review of the information currently available, we consider that Home Office guidance should include information on the following European legislation:
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
All electronic security devices must comply with the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2004/108/EC. This EMC Directive ensures that security devices do not introduce electromagnetic interference which could affect the functioning of other co-located equipment in the environment and that security devices will continue to function correctly during unintentional interference from other sources, such as lightning or ambient radio frequencies.
CCTV equipment manufacturers have a duty to show compliance, usually by testing equipment. Installers must also ensure that they only use devices that comply with the EMC Directive and that these devices are suitable for their intended environment.
- CCTV surveillance systems for use in security applications – EN 50132-5
EN 50132 (parts 1, 2-1, 4-1, 4-3, 4-5, 5 and 7) covers various aspects of CCTV equipment and systems. The scope of EN 50130-4:1996, incorporating amendments A1:1998 and A2:2003, applies to the components of alarm systems and includes environmental tests for transient interference, waveform distortion and radio frequency interference such as:
- Interference due to instability of power supply – mains supply voltage variations/dips/interruptions
- Static caused by user/maintenance personnel – electrostatic discharge
- Radio frequency interference caused by local broadcast, private mobile radio, mobile phones and other devices – radiated interference
- Radio frequency interference that may be coupled to equipment cables caused by local interference – conducted interference
- Transient train interference caused by various types of switching operations – fast transient bursts
- Close proximity lightning strikes and high-level switching on equipment cables – slow high-energy voltage surge.
Improving effectiveness and efficiency of CCTV systems
Concerns over the effectiveness of CCTV footage were highlighted in a Home Office report – ‘Assessing the Impact of CCTV, February 2005’. The National Audit Office report ‘Crown Prosecution Service: Effective Use of Magistrates’ Courts Hearings’, February 2006, – also cited shortcomings in CCTV evidence. While many of the issues raised in these reports still need to be resolved, it would appear that the risk of EMC interference has not yet been acknowledged.
Security installation work carried out by registered installers from the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) should conform to current relevant British or European Standards. However, in general, when equipment is procured there is often very little attention paid to the level of EMC compliance. For example, an equipment manufacturer may declare compliance to the relevant standards without providing supporting documentation such as test reports from an accredited test facility. If this is not accounted for, prior to installation, major problems may occur during the operational life of the equipment.
To raise standards, it is recommended that information on EMC interference and testing is incorporated within the Home Office guidance on CCTV systems. This will help raise awareness of the need for EMC compliance and make European legislation more accessible.
