SIA CCTV System Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'preventative maintenance' in the context of CCTV systems?
- Fixing equipment after it breaks
- Scheduled activities designed to keep equipment functioning and prevent failures (Correct answer)
- Replacing all equipment annually
- Only maintaining cameras that are most used
Correct answer: Scheduled activities designed to keep equipment functioning and prevent failures
Preventative maintenance involves scheduled inspections, cleaning, testing, and servicing designed to keep equipment in good working order and prevent unexpected failures.
Question 2: What environmental factor can cause condensation inside a camera housing?
- High wind speeds
- Rapid temperature changes causing moisture to form inside the housing (Correct answer)
- Heavy rain
- Direct sunlight
Correct answer: Rapid temperature changes causing moisture to form inside the housing
Rapid temperature changes can cause warm, moist air inside the housing to cool and condense on the lens and internal surfaces. Proper sealing and heaters in housings help prevent this.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a maintenance log for a CCTV system?
- To track how much the system cost
- To record all maintenance activities, faults, repairs, and system changes for accountability (Correct answer)
- To plan the annual Christmas party
- To monitor staff performance
Correct answer: To record all maintenance activities, faults, repairs, and system changes for accountability
A maintenance log provides a documented history of all maintenance activities, faults reported, repairs carried out, and system changes. It is essential for accountability, trend analysis, and regulatory compliance.
Question 4: What should be done when upgrading CCTV system firmware or software?
- Install updates immediately without testing
- Back up the current configuration, test the update in a non-critical environment if possible, and schedule the update during off-peak hours (Correct answer)
- Only update once the system has failed
- Let the manufacturer update it remotely without supervision
Correct answer: Back up the current configuration, test the update in a non-critical environment if possible, and schedule the update during off-peak hours
Updates should be planned carefully: back up existing configurations, test if possible, schedule during quiet periods, and supervise the process to minimise disruption and risk.
Question 5: How can a CCTV operator check whether all cameras in the system are operational?
- Only check cameras that cover high-risk areas
- Systematically review each camera feed, checking image quality, movement, focus, and recording status (Correct answer)
- Ask members of the public to wave at cameras
- Check only those cameras that have been reported faulty
Correct answer: Systematically review each camera feed, checking image quality, movement, focus, and recording status
A systematic check of every camera involves reviewing the live feed, testing PTZ functions, verifying recording status, checking image quality, and ensuring time stamps are correct.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a service level agreement (SLA) with a CCTV maintenance provider?
- To guarantee the lowest price
- To define response times, service standards, and responsibilities for maintaining the CCTV system (Correct answer)
- To allow the provider unlimited access to footage
- To ensure the provider installs the most cameras possible
Correct answer: To define response times, service standards, and responsibilities for maintaining the CCTV system
An SLA defines the agreed standards of service, including response times for faults, scheduled maintenance frequency, responsibilities of each party, and performance metrics.
SIA CCTV System Maintenance 2
What is 'preventative maintenance' in the context of CCTV systems?