Protecting your property starts with knowing where to place security cameras. These devices promise to combat threats when strategically placed in the right spot. We’ve listed some of the areas you may want to consider when mounting surveillance devices. After all, a better home security camera placement delivers more effective results.
Home and business owners spend hours researching security camera mounting ideas for their properties. While each property may have a different layout, depending on the area and surroundings, there are some places generally more vulnerable to threats. In this article, we will discuss where to put security cameras when it comes to home, office, warehouse, or manufacturing plant security.
How to Place Security Cameras at Home
Homeowners can skilfully place surveillance systems around their properties to prevent break-ins and trespasses. Here are the best places to install security cameras at home.
Front entrance
One of the most convenient ways of installing cameras at the front door of residential houses is through video doorbells. These devices can be used as standalone primary cameras or in conjunction with other units.
If you choose to go with a standalone camera, mounting the device at an appropriate height or covering it with mesh wiring can help prevent burglars from tampering with it.
While the front door seems an unlikely entry point for a burglar to use, statistics from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors depict that 34% of break-ins happen through the front entrance.
Back and side doors
Back and side doors present vulnerable out-of-sight targets for thieves to enter undetected. Each of the back and side doors should be equipped with a security camera, and basement doors are no exception.
Driveways and garages
Driveways and garages are often neglected by homeowners when setting up a security system, making them an easy target. Security cameras in detached garages can help prevent the theft of vehicles. If you have an attached garage, a surveillance device is an excellent way to have eyes on another entry point in the house. Driveway gates are also one of the best places to put outdoor security cameras.
Yards
Mounting your cameras to monitor the yard is highly advocated as it lets you capture the activity of trespassers early on. It’s a good idea to ensure the camera is at least 8 feet above the ground and protected from external damage using some form of durable covering.
Kitchen and living room
Any place in the house that is a gathering point, like the living room, should be monitored. In the case of visitors or maintenance staff, cameras prevent misconduct. Rooms on the ground floor that have large windows can also be equipped with surveillance devices. These windows can serve as an entry point for intruders. It’s essential to consider such places when you’re thinking of security camera mounting ideas.
Stairways and main hallway
Installing a security camera in every room is neither practical nor ethical. Cameras placed in the main hallway and stairway can capture any movement inside the house. For instance, if an intruder tries to break into a bedroom or a bathroom, security devices in the hallway or staircase can help track the movements of everyone inside.
Since most homes lack extensive security systems compared to corporate locations, they are a prime target for criminals. According to Safe At Last, an overwhelming 66% of burglaries and theft crimes reported were committed on residential properties.
Where to Avoid Security Cameras in the House
It’s important to note that your surveillance systems shouldn’t invade the privacy of your neighbors. It’s okay for cameras to cover the public-facing area of your neighbor’s property. If your cameras are positioned in a way that threatens others’ privacy, such as directly in front of a bedroom window, legal problems may arise.
Similarly, security cameras should not point towards private spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
Where to Place Security Cameras in an Office
When considering where to place security cameras in an office building, the following places should be prioritized.
Main entrances and exits
The front door is one of the best places to mount outdoor security cameras. Visible CCTV cameras help reduce the chances of someone attempting to damage or trespass on your property.
Office reception and counter
Installing cameras at an office reception provides a clear image of the subject, given that a person is most likely to spend some time there. Most crimes occur at the reception or cash counter where surveillance is a must-have.
Corners and blind spots
Wide-angle cameras are the best solution for tackling corners and blind spots. These devices cover a large area and therefore offer increased monitoring capabilities.
Meeting rooms and Cafeteria
Office buildings usually have a space dedicated to meal time. For ensuring the safety and security of employees, visitors and senior management, it’s wise to place surveillance devices in such areas of the building. This not only provides easy monitoring of the space but also allows for quality control, behavioral checks and easy maintenance and reporting. Meeting rooms are frequently used and should be monitored remotely for the same reasons.
Storage rooms
Businesses use storerooms to house sensitive documents, servers or shipments ready for distribution. These rooms often have restricted admittance policies. Placing a security camera in storage rooms can help you keep note of any unauthorized attempts to enter the rooms.
Parking lots
Parking lots are more prone to criminal activity than any other location in and around office buildings. An unsuspecting employee leaving after a hectic day may become a victim to an offender hiding in the parking lot. It’s vital to install security cameras at close and distant locations to identify potential threats before an unfortunate incident occurs.
Security Camera Placement for Warehouse/Manufacturing Facility
Installing security cameras in warehouses has become a standard for commercial businesses. Warehouses are often neglected when it comes to establishing a good security system, making them vulnerable to theft and danger.
Entry and exit points, parking lots and pathways to entrances
Warehouses should be armed with security cameras on every entry and exit point. Parking spots and pathways leading to the entrances also need monitoring. It’s important to not forget emergency doors and evacuation points while looking for coverage.
Loading dock
Loading dock areas are one of the prime locations to install a security device in a warehouse. Video surveillance of these areas allows corporate security teams to keep track of the loading and unloading of shipments.
Storage areas and rooms
Similar to the loading bay, storage areas should be in clear view. These sections of the warehouse or manufacturing plant are used to store valuables crucial to the business. This also enables owners to keep a record of their inventory. Consider placing night vision cameras throughout the warehouse in locations that aren’t properly lit.
Near dangerous equipment or machinery
If it’s not already obvious by now, security cameras help with maintaining a good safety profile near potentially dangerous machinery. Security cameras placed near hazardous machinery or equipment support the monitoring of automated processes without endangering the well-being of the employees.
Your employees are more likely to follow the safety regulations in place when they know they’re being monitored. In the case of an accident, you can access the surveillance footage to figure out what went wrong and mitigate the cause of the accident. This can help with forming critical workplace policies as well.
In manufacturing facilities, the layout of the security cameras should follow a similar outline. All of the access points should be under constant surveillance. Surveillance systems also help with the maintenance of quality control processes.
Security Camera Mounting Ideas
Once you have decided where to place security cameras, you need to strategize a layout for mounting the cameras to get the best results. Here are some general guidelines to get the most out of your video surveillance systems.
Optimum height for mounting
The cameras should be mounted at an optimum height to capture a high level of detail while being out of reach for thieves looking to tamper devices. It’s suggested to mount cameras at the height of 8 to 10 feet from the ground. Mounting height can be more than 10 feet for some locations. These figures can vary depending on the requirements of the owners.
Durability
Outdoor cameras will be exposed to harsh weather conditions and are more prone to wear and tear than indoor cameras. Avoid using cameras with low-temperature ranges and IP ratings for outdoor installations. It’s a good practice to install protective coverings for outdoor cameras or install the devices under eaves for protection against external elements.
Reflection and glare
Outdoor cameras should not point towards the sun. Bright light causes high contrast and glare in the footage, significantly deteriorating the details captured in the surveillance videos. Cameras installed in outdoor locations should be angled to receive indirect light from the sun. For best results, consider installing cameras with a high dynamic range. HDR cameras reduce the effect of glare from sunlight. Likewise, indoor cameras should not be pointed directly at reflective surfaces.
Visible vs hidden
Visible cameras act as deterrents for potential burglars but are also easy targets to knock out. Hidden cameras have a restricted coverage area due to concealing objects covering the camera lens. Homeowners sometimes install a decoy camera to act as a deterrent to any possible trespassers while relying on a more concealed device for the actual monitoring. Hardware protection like mesh wiring can also be used on visible cameras to prevent damages.
Lens size
Smaller lens sizes tend to increase your viewing angle but reduce your viewing depth. For instance, a security camera with a smaller lens size, such as 2.8mm, will provide a wide viewing angle but only offer quality imaging to a depth of 3 to 5 meters. Meanwhile, cameras with a larger lens, such as 16mm, present a clear image up to a depth of 25 meters but restrict the viewing angle.
