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Preventative Maintenance

Preventative Maintenance Advantages

Having a certified security technician inspect and maintain the security system currently installed will provide a greater level of certainty that the security system is functioning correctly.
Without these inspections carried out, critical system failures could occur without any knowledge to the end user, leaving the premises vulnerable.
Although sudden equipment failures can and do happen, most major components of the security system will show signs of failure before they critically fail. Regular inspection will flag these items to the client as recommended to be repaired.
In most cases this provides enough time to replace system components before failure.

Importance of regular maintenance to system components

Servers

CCTV servers are running 24hrs a day every day and are processing video data constantly. Keeping any server in an optimum running condition will prolong its overall life cycle and help prevent a critical system failure.
With regular inspections, items such as faulty server fans can be identified and replaced before they cause overheating leading to processor failure. Excessive dust can be cleared, increasing airflow and reducing corrosion. Failed hard drives can be identified and replaced before a second drive fails and all data is lost. (for RAID5).
The same applies to access control servers, which have far less processor throughput, but all the data onboard is critical.
Recommendation for optional Health checks to be considered for early fault notification and hardware protection.

Cameras

Over time cameras will go out of focus, and they will collect dust and grime from the surrounding environment. Keeping cameras clean and in good working order, like having a CCTV system in the first place, only becomes beneficial after an event has occurred. Knowing you have cameras in place, is only beneficial if the camera system is in working order and footage is clear enough to be used effectively. Without regular inspections there is a high risk of the CCTV system becoming ineffective.

Alarm and Access Field Devices

All alarm and access devices should be inspected regularly, although a broken card reader or exit button is easily noticed by staff, alarm devices such as duress buttons, door monitoring devices and PIRs can fail without physical detection. This will leave the security system ineffective when needed.
Locks are probably the most common field device failure, due to the forces applied to them and most have mechanical movements. Regular maintenance can pick up common issues such as locks becoming loose, and/or misalignment. Where possible this will be fixed on site at the time of system maintenance. This will help prolong the life of the lock and prevent failure due to misalignment.

Power Supplies and Batteries

A critical part of the security system, a power supply failure with a faulty battery can leave secured doors unlocked and void insurance on the premises.  Regular inspections can flag faulty/dying batteries and power supplies giving fluctuating voltages, helping to keep the security system functioning and the premises secure.

Access Control & Alarm

Main Controller

  • Check and inspect cabinet for damage and ensure it is secure.
  • Check and inspect all connections to each Main Controller.
  • Check and inspect NI-CAD memory batteries on board Main Controller.
  • Check and inspect operation and communication of Main Controller.
  • Final check and operation of Main Controller, take appropriate corrective action if required.
  • Clean cabinet as required.

Terminal Controller

  • Check and inspect cabinet for damage and ensure it is secure.
  • Check and inspect all connections to each Terminal Controller.
  • Check and inspect operation and communication of Terminal Controller.
  • Final check and operation of Terminal Controller, take appropriate corrective action if required.
  • Clean cabinet as required.

Input/ Output Board

  • Check and inspect cabinet for damage and ensure it is secure.
  • Check and inspect all connections to each I / O Board.
  • Final check and operation of Input/ Output Board, take appropriate corrective action if required.
  • Clean cabinet as required.

Stand Alone Input / Output Board

  • Check and inspect cabinet for damage and ensure it is secure.
  • Check and inspect all connections to each Stand Alone I /O Board.
  • Check and inspect NI-CAD memory batteries on board Stand Alone I / O board.
  • Check and inspect operation and communication of Stand Alone I / O board
  • Final check and operation of I / O Board, take appropriate corrective action if required.
  • Clean cabinet as required.

Power Supplies

  • Check and inspect Equipment Cabinets that house Power Supplies.
  • Check and inspect each Power supply, tighten all cable connections and record output voltages.
  • Take appropriate corrective action if required.

Card Readers

  • Check and inspect Card Reader fixings, enclosures and covers.
  • Check and inspect operation of Card Reader to Manufacturers specifications.
  • Take appropriate corrective action if required.

Batteries

  • Check and inspect battery fixings, enclosures and covers.
  • Test charging voltage from power supply.
  • Test battery voltage unloaded.
  • Run system on battery for 5 minutes minimum and test battery voltage.
  • Take appropriate corrective action if required.

Reed Switches

  • Perform break and seal test at each position and verify at monitoring device.
  • Ensure devices are securely fitted and no evidence of physical damage.

PIR’s

  • Perform walk test at each PIR at full range and at mid-range and monitor LED operation and at monitoring device.
  • Inspect connections at PIR at each second visit, ensure correct tension on screw connections and clean contacts of any corrosion if practical.
  • Visually inspect lenses and ensure that they are clear of obstructions and dirt build up.
  • Test tamper.

Duress / Lockdown Buttons

  • Check and inspect each Duress / Emergency Button fixings and appearance
  • Check and inspect each Duress / Emergency Button operation back to Input / Output Board
  • Check and inspect Event Message on Screen reflects Button Operation
  • Take appropriate corrective action if required.

 Photo Electric Beams

  • Check correct mounting of PE Beam. No movement should be present.
  • Check that PE is at correct height.
  • Check alignment through view finder if present.
  • Test alignment voltage with multimeter is correct.
  • Test power at PE Beam is within operating range.
  • Perform break and seal test to control panel.
  • Check and inspect all connections and wiring terminations.
  • Clean internal components and housing.
  • Check and inspect PE Beam is correctly sealed if installed externally. Take appropriate action if required.

Security – Glass Break Sensors

  • Check and inspect for correct mounting.
  • Test power at Glass Break is within operating voltage.
  • Check and inspect wiring terminations. Take appropriate action as required.
  • Perform break and seal test utilizing Glass Break simulator.
  • Adjust sensitivity if required.
  • Clean as required.

Security – Smoke Detectors (not connected to Brigade Fire Alarm Panel)

  • Inform client of testing of Smoke Detector.
  • Check for correct mounting and appropriate position of smoke detector.
  • Test power at Smoke detector is within operating voltage.
  • Check and inspect wiring terminations. Take appropriate action as required.
  • Perform break and seal test utilizing canned “smoke spray”.
  • Clean as required.

CCTV & IP Surveillance

Video Recorders (NVR’s & DVR’s)

Note: maintenance procedure supplied by NVR/DVR manufacturer

  • Test record and playback function.
  • Check Hard Drives
  • Test all cameras connected to NVR in full screen and multi-screen mode.
  • Check and inspect Coax Connections to encoders / multiplexer.
  • Check all incoming LAN connections.
  • Test record/ playback functionality with NVR if present.
  • Test any additional keyboards if present.
  • Test alarm inputs to NVR if required.
  • Test HLI’s to other systems and triggers are functioning if required.
  • Clean NVR and surrounds as required.

Multiplexer

  • Test record and playback function.
  • Check tape life and / or Hard Drive.
  • Test all cameras connected to Multiplexer in full screen and multi-screen mode.
  • Check and inspect Coax Connections to Multiplexer.
  • Test record/ playback functionality with VCR if present.
  • Test any additional keyboards if present.
  • Test alarm inputs to Multiplexer if required.
  • Clean Multiplexer as required.
  • Final check and operation of Multiplexer, take appropriate corrective action if required.

Matrix Switcher

  • Check, inspect and clean each Video Input Module (VIM).
  • Check, inspect and clean each Video Output Module (VOM).
  • Take appropriate corrective action after inspection of VIM’s and VOM’s.
  • Check and inspect Keyboard Plugs and Sockets.
  • Check and inspect Keyboard operations.
  • Re-instate Switcher and perform programmed operations. Take appropriate corrective action if required.
  • Clean/ vacuum switcher as required.

Fixed Indoor Camera

  • Check and inspect operation of Auto Iris Lens.
  • Check and inspect Camera Connections and performance of Camera.
  • Check and inspect in general, Camera Supports, Camera Brackets and Fixings.
  • Test power at camera for correct voltages.
  • Final check and operation of camera, take appropriate corrective action if required.
  • Clean camera as required.

PTZ Dome

  • Check and inspect operation and fixings of Pan Tilt Dome Head including Dome Cover
  • Check and inspect operation of Auto Iris Zoom Lens
  • Check and inspect Camera Connections and performance of Camera
  • Check and inspect operation, connections and performance of receiver Driver Units
  • Test power at camera for correct voltages.
  • Final check an operation of Cameras, take appropriate corrective action if required.
  • Cleaning of Domes and Housings.

PTZ Camera, Housing and Head

  • Check and inspect operation and fixings of Pan Tilt Head including Dome Cover.
  • Check and inspect operation of Auto Iris Zoom Lens.
  • Check and inspect Camera Connections and performance of Camera.
  • Check and inspect operation, connections and performance of receiver Driver Units.
  • Test power at camera for correct voltages.
  • Final check an operation of Cameras, take appropriate corrective action if required.
  • Cleaning of Housings and plastic face plates (inside and out).

Monitors

  • Check and inspect operation of Monitors
  • Check and inspect fixing of Monitors
  • Check and inspect Connections to Monitors
  • Final check and operation of monitor, take appropriate corrective action if required.

Intercom Systems

Door Call Stations & Concierge Stations

  • Check and inspect operation of Call Station
  • Check Clear two communication can be achieved
  • Check interface to access control system if required
  • Check interface to CCTV system if required
  • Final check and clean, take appropriate corrective action if required

Power Supplies

  • Check and inspect Equipment Cabinets that house Power Supplies.
  • Check & inspect each power supply, tighten all cable connections & record voltages.
  • Take appropriate corrective action if required.

Batteries

  • Check and inspect battery fixings, enclosures and covers.
  • Test charging voltage from power supply.
  • Test battery voltage unloaded.
  • Run system on battery for 5 minutes minimum and test battery voltage.