Break-in’s, theft, vandalism, arson, and squatting are some of the most common concerns for owners of vacant properties and construction sites managers around the country, especially if site power and broadband communications aren’t available.
The VideoGUARD technology is unique in that it ‘watches over’ vacant properties and smaller vulnerable construction sites and when compared to manned guarding costs, it can be as little as 50p per hour, for monitored site protection.
Vacant properties are generally decommissioned, with utilities unplugged, so they won’t have working alarms, telephone lines or power. Smaller construction sites may not have permanent power and or site broadband.
This issue can be solved with VideoGUARD technology. Uniquely it has its control panel and built-in GSM communication, the system is self-powered and its internal battery pack can power the system for up to a year. Providing round-the-clock surveillance, pretty much anywhere no matter how remote the area is, as long as there is good 4G coverage.
To find out everything you need to know about the VideoGUARD self-powered CCTV system for your construction sites or vacant properties, read on…
How Site CCTV Offers Protection
CCTV cameras are used to deter and prevent criminal activity. When you have them on your construction site or vacant property, you’re less likely to be targeted, which means you’ll have fewer incidents of theft and vandalism.
Here are ways construction CCTV offers protection…
Securing Your Construction Site
Any type of construction site can be impacted by crime because crime has no limitations. On building sites, security risks such as theft and vandalism might arise. Simple products like bags of cement can be worth two or three times their typical price due to supply shortages which have driven up expenses.
Site burglaries and thefts can be significant roadblocks, resulting in losses in terms of property damage, increased project expenses by putting it on hold for several weeks, slowed business growth, and negative work and customer experience.
Securing Your Vacant Property
CCTV protection is important for vacant properties too. When a property is empty, it can become an easy target for uninvited visitors like vandals, trespassers and squatters, resulting in costly repairs and a lot of frustration. Not to mention protracted legal bills getting them evicted. A well-maintained and secure vacant property has a lesser insurance risk.
If there are CCTV cameras on site, trespassers and criminals can be deterred from ruining valuable property “just because they can.”
What Exactly Is the VideoGUARD?
It’s our entry-level monitored CCTV system that works without permanent site power, sends out video-confirmed intruder alerts and is ideally suited for small to midsize demolition, development, and construction sites where electricity and broadband aren’t practical or available.
It can ‘monitor’ sites, compounds, materials, and plant or temporary work areas because it has power and a built-in GSM mobile comms unit.
For maximum protection, up to 20 cameras can be added to a single control panel. With this, it’s as if you have 20 pairs of eyes watching over your site even when you’re not there.
How Does The Wireless CCTV Monitoring System Work?
The security cameras have built-in, PIR (passive infrared) detectors with a 12-meter range, their capability is enhanced with IR (infra-red) night vision, which means it captures quality footage regardless of whether it’s day or night.
PIR technology works by detecting the movement of heat, so when moving a trigger is detected, such as humans in the detection area, an alert is initiated.
The system stays inert, saving battery power, however when the PIR is triggered, the cameras immediately record and transmit a 10-second clip of encrypted video footage. This is sent over to the control panel for transmission via 4G, to our central monitoring station for review and escalation after visual verification.
If the alert shows intruders are on-site, breaking in or are in the process of committing a crime, the control room officers will notify your designated key-holders, dispatch a patrol car to your location, or call the police. At the same time if the alert is caused by wildlife or other environmental hazards they can take the decision to stand down the event.
Where The VideoGUARD Can Be Used
The VideoGUARD security camera can be used anywhere that has mobile network coverage because it’s 100% wireless and it can be moved from one construction site to another and once recommissioned it can be ‘live’ again, this is especially useful with mobile site works.
Benefits Of VideoGUARD Monitored CCTV Security System
With long-life batteries lasting up to a 1-year in, the VideoGUARD is durable and fully compliant with BS 50132 standards. Here are the other benefits…
Central Station CCTV Remote Monitoring
Secure Site’s security response is a professional 24-hour service. When it comes to the risks that may be involved, the security response team is trained and available when your staff may not be.
Our central station monitoring is 24/7 and equipped to deal with video confirmed CCTV alerts regardless of the time of day. The Central Station now referred to as ARC’s (Alarm Receiving Centres) and conforms to the British standard BS EN 50518:2013 which means that you will have a guaranteed response, allowing the crime to be addressed as quickly as possible.
For maximum protection, the VideoGUARD conforms to BS EN 50132 to allow for monitored response.
Fast Security Responses
One of the most frequent critiques of construction site CCTV – and CCTV in general – is that it captures the crime on camera only to be watched long after the crime has occurred and the damage has been done.
On the other hand, the type of CCTV response methods used with VideoGUARD enables you to be more proactive, reduce damage and prevent theft or vandalism. The ability to transmit a visually verified alert to a security-staffed ARC monitoring centre is a crucial feature to highlight.
When a trigger notifies security employees of an incidence, they can view the recorded alarmed event and take the following actions:
- Summon key holders
- Deploy security response officers
- If witnessing a crime, notify the Police
With visual verification, you’ll have a reduced possibility of false alarms.
In a vacant property scenario, If you experience an attack by squatters, fast security response is essential, so you can intervene before they establish themselves in the property and to reduce the vandalism that might occur.
This is most important in commercial properties, where it isn’t illegal to squat in them, so you can intervene before matters worsen.
In-App Technology
A lesser-known responsive feature worth mentioning is the ability for stakeholders to view live footage of their site or vacant property from the comfort of their own homes.
This is made possible via a login that provides the video clip of the activation, video coverage that you can access as long as you have a reliable network connection.
Because alerts from your construction site or vacant property may be accessed as they happen day or night, this offers an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.
Wireless CCTV Alerts
You can receive alerts through email to your nominated PC, tablet, or smartphone, along with a 10-second video of the filmed event, so you can stay on top of site activities and monitor what’s happenings on-site, using our Alarm Receiving Centre software.
With the option of sirens/strobes, this extremely versatile video alarm system helps provide an immediate alert to trespassers on-site and notify them that they have been identified, typically resulting in their fleeing and contributing to the deterrence impact while also giving you with complete peace of mind.
Opting For Reports
For a small additional cost you choose to receive open and close reports, you’ll be notified when your property or construction site is opened or closed, giving you advance notice of when remote workers are arriving or departing, or notifying you of unexpected activity on weekends or after hours.
You’ll also be notified if someone fails to arm the system outside of your open/close parameters, allowing you to return and arm it, arrange alternative security cover, or double-check that someone is safekeeping you up to date on site statuses.
The Alternatives To Construction CCTV Systems
Security guards can be replaced with CCTV systems, which can secure your building site at a fraction of the cost.
However, especially on large sites, CCTV monitoring can be an additional benefit to security guards, with the advantage of detector-based CCTV guiding them to any potential break-ins.
Though security guards aren’t likely to offer 24-hour protection and if they do, it’ll come at a hefty price tag. Construction CCTV offers 24-hour security at a cheaper price and has better night vision with infrared capabilities.
Rent And Purchase Opportunities
Renting can be less expensive and it can be easier to spread the cost of security CCTV over a longer length of time. It also means that you’ll have a system when you need it and for the duration of your site.
VideoGUARD can be hired for short or extended periods of time, and costs around 42p per hour, or around 4% less than a static guard who can only stare in one direction at a time.
Our engineers cover the entire United Kingdom, and because the system is entirely wireless, systems can be installed, tested, and integrated with the monitoring station in just a few hours.
You can, however, purchase CCTV systems if you have a long-term project.
What Are The Different VideoGUARD CCTV Systems Out There?
We provide a wide range of monitored CCTV systems and services that are designed and deployed to actively protect your construction site and vacant properties from intruders 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
These include everything from long-life battery-operated systems for short-term places without power to standard IP-based HD systems to moveable self-powered solar HD Towers.
VideoGUARD
- Wireless SD 12-metre intruder detection cameras
- Suitable for small construction sites or developments without mains power
- 1-year battery power with own communication of camera footage
- Triggers are remotely verified and then escalated to security to investigate
- Available for short or long-term hire or outright purchase
VideoGUARD PLUS
- Wireless SD 35 metre intruder detection cameras
- 1-year battery power with own communication of camera footage
- Works well for medium or large demolition or construction sites without mains power
- Filters out false alarms with real threats escalated to security
- Allows for remote arm/disarm with live 30-day recording
VideoGUARD Ultra IP
- 80-metre range HD CCTV camera
- Advanced video analytic detection
- Home Office approved detection is more secure and is available
- Applicable for sites with main power and broadband/4G
- Remote monitored with audio-challenge and Police response options
- Allows for remote arm/disarm with live 30-day recording
- Police response possible with the BS8418 certification
VideoGUARD Tower
- Self-sufficient solar-powered CCTV tower with no site power needed
- Deployed to construction sites for next-day installation, nationwide
- 360 degree, 80-metre analytic detection range day or night and is remotely monitored when sites are closed
- Remotely monitored when sites are closed for immediate intruder alert
- HD images day and night with 30-day storage available to watch on mobile
Conclusion
You’ll benefit from high-quality software that provides images and video captures with construction CCTV, ensuring that fewer things go wrong.
You’ll also get an individually designed system to cover all blind spots and protect your construction site or vacant property.
A good CCTV system will enable you to detect any potential attacks, respond immediately, and mitigate any incidents that may jeopardise your livelihood.
The sooner you know or respond to an incident the less severe the damage is. For example, if a building has had flooding damage – the sooner it’s seen the better. if you only checked it once a week, it would be worse damage than knowing about it the next day.
Furthermore, CCTV is typically less expensive than 24-hour human security, which should be considered if you have a limited budget.
If you want to find out more about VideoGUARD CCTV monitoring and how it can help you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
