Understanding Power over Ethernet for video surveillance

PoE was, and is, supposed to make the powering of devices easy. You take your camera or other device that accepts power via the Ethernet port, you plug in the RJ45 jack to the port, and you walk away. Inside the head end, you plug the other end of the same Ethernet cable into a PoE switch or PoE injector and voila, power is magically delivered to the device along with the data connection. In theory, all of the normal worries are gone. AC power or DC power is irrelevant, and you don't even have to worry about over-powering a camera that, were you to fry it, could potentially set you back a few thousand dollars in equipment costs and man hours!

PoE was supposed to be this way, but practical reality has diverged from the perfect world concept in such a way that the actual installation is almost never that easy. So set aside the “perfect world” notions you have, and let’s start with the basics, so you can understand how PoE works.

There are four classes of PoE: Class 1, 2, 3 and 0. Each PoE classification denotes a range of power that is available to the end device as well as the power that must be available on the port of the power sourcing equipment (PSE):

PoE Classifications

• Class 1 --  4.5 watts at PoE port; 3.84 watts at device
• Class 2 --  7.5 watts at PoE port; 6.49 watts at device
• Class 3 --  15.4 watts at PoE port; 12.95 watts at device
• Class 0 --  15.4 watts at PoE port; .44 to 12.95 watts at device

In the world of PoE there are two kinds of switches that can provide PoE; the kind that operates with a “guarantee per port” and the kind that operates with a “total power budget”. Both kinds of switching are useful but there is a significant difference between them. If you happen to have a switch nearby, look at it and see if you can tell into which one of the above two categories your switch falls.

A switch that guarantees a certain wattage per port -- 15.4 watts per port, for example -- means that you can be sure that no matter how many Class 3 or Class 0 devices are plugged in, the switch will be able to power them. Of course, these switches tend to be bigger, more expensive and ill-suited for use outside of a nice climate controlled room, but they do prevent errors in power planning.

The second type of switch mentioned above -- the kind with a total power budget -- can only power as many PoE devices as it has power to spare. Imagine that you are working with a 4-port switch that carries a total power budget of 30 watts. This kind of switch could power four Class 2 cameras (4 devices x 7.5 watts = 30 watts needed). It could also easily power four Class 1 devices (4 devices x 4.5 watts = 18 watts needed). Continuing with that math, it would be able to power Class 3 or Class 0 devices, but it could only power two of those types of devices.

Power planning is where the rubber meets the road, and it brings up a challenge in our industry.

What happens if a chosen device (i.e., a PoE powered camera) does not clearly specify the PoE class and instead simply gives an operating wattage? You might think that this is OK since a camera which says “6.01 watts” is within the Class 2 specifications and therefore must be Class 2. But that’s where reality often diverges from common sense. In theory, what is supposed to happen is that a device is clearly labeled with a PoE classification so that when said device is plugged into a PSE device, the power budget has been worked out such that each device will receive its required PoE.

What I believe the security industry needs – right now, since PoE is happening today -- is clear labeling of the correct classification of PoE on each and every device that uses PoE. It is all well and good to place the operating or maximum wattage on the device, but industry manufacturers need to take the next step!

Manufacturers should label the device, print it on in large type and with bold colors, CLASS 1, CLASS 2, CLASS 3, CLASS 0, or whatever PoE Plus will hold as a classification. It's OK if your device actually only draws 3 watts during normal operation but for some reason is Class 0. Just tell your integrator channel partners and end users by labeling the device in the manner in which it was intended to be used. This lets system designers know the classification so that they might properly create a power plan and buy the correct devices. No one wants to be in the field trying to get a project done on time and only then realize that their switches don’t have enough power for the devices they’ve purchased.

While I am solidly standing on my PoE soapbox, let me also make a plea for PoE classification to be a priority on data sheets and marketing slicks. Some camera manufacturers make wonderful versions of these spec sheets. You’ll find photos, technical illustrations, cross reference charts, and more -- and often not a hint of PoE classification to be found anywhere. As someone who works with PoE, it sometimes seems as though PoE has become the crazy uncle that everyone has and who no one wants to invite to the party. Unfortunately for all of us, the crazy uncle could actually be the life of the party -- he makes it easy to entertain the guests and always has enough cash to pay for pizza -- but we haven't managed to take advantage of him yet!

PoE is supposed to make things easy, and between the standards bodies, the independent PoE offerings, the lack of classification usage, the errors in PoE chip usage within devices, and the propensity of some manufacturers to create Class 0 signatures in devices that draw minimal wattage, PoE's original purpose has been obfuscated in a way only rivaled by the current explanation of the financial bailout.

Why has it become so complex? Who knows! Unfortunately it has, and confusion has also shared a taxi with a lack of education on the road to PoE's widespread acceptance. People see a label on a device that says “802.af” or “IEEE Compliant” and then automatically assume that they can plug it into a PoE switch or midpsan and have it work with no problem. What makes the education problem worse is that often it does work with no problem, and this leads people to the assumption that PoE is really nothing more than Windows “plug and play” for power. Unlike Windows, however, there is no “blue screen of death” when using PoE. Instead there is a device that does not power on, or (in rare cases) a device that does power on followed by smoke, the smell of singed chip boards and fried capacitors, and then what was a very expensive security device becomes an equally expensive paperweight.

Tips on Buying Surveillance Cameras on eBay

Until now in the world, eBay still remains one of the biggest auction websites. Millions of items are sold through eBay all over the world, including surveillance cameras.  

Although its network is huge and it is well managed, you are still not satisfied with the products you purchase form the website, especially if it is a video security camera system. According to the report of Metropolitan Police in UK, there are over 100 eBay related crimes every month.

Here are some tips for you when you are purchasing a surveillance camera on eBay, you can take a note if you think it is useful.

1. Know the seller. It is very important that you can vouch for the credibility or trustworthiness of the seller. Read the reviews. Ask for feedback straight from the buyers themselves.

2. Search extensively. There are thousands of surveillance cameras and sellers you can find in eBay. It is going to be purpose defeating if you are going to simply opt for one seller and one kind of camera. There are different ways on how to search comprehensively in eBay. You can read the tutorials or guides available in the website.

3. Determine how much you are willing to pay. You can search for surveillance cameras based on their price. Thus, it will be easier for you to purchase one that fits your budget. If the one you like does not, you can always practice the art of negotiating or haggling with the sellers. As long as they can confirm your authenticity and your faithfulness to the transaction, they may offer you with a good discount.

4. Read the descriptions. It is not enough that there are surveillance camera images. They should also have their corresponding descriptions, and they must be very detailed. This means that if there are minor defects, these should be listed to ensure that you know what to expect from the product.

5. Read the policies. Though eBay has its own general policies, every seller may implement their own. It is wise to read about their rules in shipping and purchasing before you proceed with the transaction. It is unfair to cry out fraud if the neglect is actually committed at your end.

Normally, sellers would accept cash or credit card payments. They would also send surveillance cameras for free if you are very close to the seller’s residence or business address.

6. Obtain a guarantee. Never purchase a surveillance camera if the seller cannot provide you with a warranty or guarantee. You have to remember that you cannot test the equipment before purchase. A guarantee will make sure that you can return the item if ever it does not work as expected.

7. Decide what you need. There are different kinds of surveillance cameras you can choose from. You can spend less time in eBay as well as prevent yourself from the sweet talks of sellers if you already have an idea of what you need. For instance, if you want to observe people inside buildings, you can opt for spy cameras.

Knowing well above these tips, you can have a great shopping experience on eBay, save time and money most of the times.

Managing risks to CCTV data and systems

CCTV systems collect all types of information for a wide range of reasons. While the equipment is valuable, it is almost always the records, and the information they hold, that matter the most.

Many CCTV systems record images of people, especially if they are set up in a public space. This type of record is 'personal information', which is protected under privacy legislation. As a result, every effort should be made to keep the records secure and avoid misuse.

Managing the risk to records protects the CCTV owner as well as the individual being recorded. CCTV records may be used as evidence in criminal proceedings. They can also be used to demonstrate that an innocent activity was genuinely innocent. Either way, the records should be stored securely until they are handed over to the police. For private operators, there may also be good commercial reasons for ensuring confidentiality of the records.

At a basic level, the question is: what can go wrong, and how much does it matter?

CCTV systems are exposed to a range of intentional physical security risks such as tampering with camera placement, power supplies, communications cabling and controlling equipment.  These risks may be prevented with physical control measures, such as housing these items in locked enclosures appropriate to the risk and environment (such as equipment that is accessible to the public).  Procedural security can be used to deter and detect attacks on CCTV infrastructure by visual inspection and review of indicative alarms.

Natural disasters also present risks. You can't prevent fires, floods, or earthquakes, but you can minimise the risk of damage or loss of data from your CCTV system.  While insurance can cover the loss of equipment, data is not replaceable. A good offsite backup system for electronic data, such as CCTV video, configuration data, usage logs etc, can reduce this risk.  Systems that instantaneously backup data provide less likelihood of data loss when compared to scheduled periodic backups.

Modern digital CCTV systems are typically dependent on computing equipment performing continuously.  Protection from inevitable hard disk failure is usually provided with redundant disk storage systems (using RAID arrays).  Once a disk failure has been detected (automated detections should be tested regularly) it can be substituted with a replacement disk onto which the missing data is automatically copied. This rebuilding process can take many hours due to the large storage capacity which presents additional risks; the storage system may not cope with rebuilding load resulting in missing data, and data from any further coincidental disk failure(s) may not be protected (depending on the redundancy design).   Whilst it may be impractical to have full CCTV system redundancy it may be prudent to maintain service spares of essential components.  For example, power supplies are required for interrogation of system data or access live CCTV resources.  As such battery backup and/or alternate utility supplies may be warranted.

Attacks on CCTV information from human threats can be grouped as:

• Availability; the information is not required when needed.  Information may have been deleted accidentally or maliciously, or normal access prevented through disruption to normal processes, such as physically damaging equipment and communications or inundating communication channels.
•  Accuracy; the information has been compromised. This may include substitution of real data with artificial data, or breaching evidential requirements for handling information that casts doubt on its authenticity.
• Confidentiality; the information has been disclosed to unauthorized persons.  This may have occurred with or without knowledge of the CCTV system owner.  An obvious example of this is the unauthorized duplication and dissemination of video to media outlets - made easier if operators have ready access to high speed internet connections.  A less obvious example may be an unauthorized access by computer 'hackers' where CCTV systems are interconnected with other data networks.
• Integrity; the information has been compromised. This may include substitution of real data with artificial data, or breaching evidential requirements for handling information that casts doubt on its authenticity.

Even with the best of intentions, mistakes can and do happen. They include accidentally deleting records or even entire hard drives, overwriting backups, forgetting to maintain a system, placing cameras in the wrong place, or forgetting to make a regular, scheduled backup. Some of these can be prevented by information management policies that include user training and restricting access to system resources, usually with logical access control (such as user sign log-on accounts). This can also help reduce the chances of deliberate actions aimed at destroying or stealing data or equipment.  Personnel security vetting is often included in licensing requirements and can reduce risks of inappropriate usage by CCTV operatives.

It is worth considering how you will manage these and other risks to the security of your CCTV equipment and records. Most strategies fall into one of four categories:

• Avoid the risk - for example, by moving a camera out of reach of vandals, or locking a door after hours.
• Transfer the risk - for example, by outsourcing the CCTV system and ensuring that contracting organizations, within the contract, are responsible for the security of records.
• Accept the risk - for example, by relying on default settings in CCTV equipment because you believe the risk is low.
• Reduce the risk - for example, ensuring only authorized people have access to CCTV computer systems and information.

In most cases, the final approach uses several strategies and depends on individual circumstances. It ultimately depends on the value of the records, the risk of loss or damage, and the consequences. These decisions are best made before the records are collected and, if possible, before a CCTV system is even installed.  It is advisable to have an Information Security Management Plan that includes CCTV systems to ensure that risks are treated appropriately.  The policies and procedures used to apply information security should be competently reviewed and executed.

Government organizations have an additional obligation to consider the security classification of CCTV records and may consider implementing an information classification policy in accordance with the relevant government regulations. The agency's security officer should be contacted for advice in these cases. 

Information classification should be considered by private CCTV system owners, particularly with the advent of computer based CCTV system designs and high capacity portable media.

This process helps provide assurance that CCTV records information will be handled appropriately to reduce negative risks.

IPv6 Security - Why You Should Care About It

IPv6 security solutions help you proactively identify, assess, and fix IPv6 security threats. Even organizations that still use IPv4 can be significantly and unknowingly impacted by IPv6 security, as many devices are enabled by default for IPv6. If not properly tested, these devices can actually represent a significant risk and an attack path for hackers. IPv6 security solutions have been specifically designed to help organizations identify, manage and fix IPv6 security threats.

Some interesting facts. There is actually more people living on the entire planet, than there are currently IPv4 addresses. What is an IPv4 address? The analogy I like to use is, think of your phone book, and we've run out of phone numbers. IPv6 is basically a new area code or a new phone number that we are starting to hand out. An IPv6 is the parallel world in IP addresses, in numbers that you need to run websites. Most people actually don't care about IPv6. It's interesting that they don't, because quite frankly, they should. Let me tell you why.

There is some early adopters in the industry, such as Telco companies, higher education, and federal agencies. The reason why these are early adopters is because, in the case of Telcos, they really are the backbone of our next generation Internet, media, and telecommunication exchange. Higher education is provisioning their students, and Federal agencies are actually mandated by law, in some industries and some sectors of Federal starting deploying IPv6. Many other industries haven't yet. They don't feel like it applies to them. They don't think IPv6 is relevant for them. What's interesting actually is that they probably should, because even if they are not running IPv6 networks, there are many, many devices on our IPv4 environments and networks that are, by default, configured to run both on IPv4 and IPv6.

They ship from the factories with both enabled. If you don't know that, you might not even know that you have these devices on your network. Why is that important? Because, that could open up a potential door for an attacker actually to take advantage of this information, to come in through IPv6 into our environments, and do some damage and breach your environment.

What's challenging about IPv6 security overall? Fundamentally, there are three main things. As we just discussed, they are very difficult to detect. Very often, we don't even look for them. If you don't look for them, you are not going to find them. Secondly, it's very difficult to actually run IPv4 and IPv6 in parallel. This is quite complex. It requires a lot of technical skills. Many organizations just haven't started looking at that yet, so it's very complex. Thirdly, because there's a lot of uncertainty and misinformation around IPv6, it's actually an ideal threat factor for attackers to come in and leverage this misinformation, to take advantage and breach your environments. Those are the three challenges with security.

Now, what recommendations can we provide to you? Number one, get educated. Get smart about IPv6. There are a number of white papers out there. There's a number of webcasts out there that can help you to better understand what to do about IPv6, and how to handle that from a security perspective, as well as overall how you can deploy it in your networks. Secondly, find out if you have IPv6 environments, even if you are not running an IPv6 environment. You can use solutions such as vulnerability scanners or discover tools that will help you to understand if you have IPv6 enabled devices on your network. If the answer is, "Yes, I have them," make sure that you turn off these devices, because that will help you prevent potential attacks from happening. The analogy I would use, it's like you have your house. You have your front door which is locked, but all of a sudden, you have a back door that you are not even looking at, that has an open door. Make sure you lock that back door as well, to protect your environment.

Video Smoke Detection Technology

Video Smoke Detection (VSD) or Video Image Detection (VID) systems have been developed to overcome many of the problems associated with smoke detection. It provides solutions for previously unsolvable fire detection scenarios, working externally as well as internally and represents a true technological breakthrough in fire detection.

VID / VSD CAMERA

 Video Image Smoke Detection (VISD) is based on the computer analysis of video images provided by integrate CCTV cameras into advanced flame and smoke detection systems. VSD automatically identifies the particular motion patterns of smoke and alerts the system operator to its presence in the shortest time possible. This enables a fast response to a potential fire, saving valuable time even in voluminous areas or where a high airflow may be present.

Smoke VID systems require a minimum amount of light for effective detection performance and most will not work in the dark, on that case used IR sensitive cameras. Flame VID systems can operate effectively in dark or lit spaces and some systems will have enhanced sensitivity to flaming fires in the dark.

In applications ranging from turbine halls to historic buildings, road tunnels, rail depots, warehouses, shopping malls, aircraft hangars and many others. Camera-based fire detection system has become established as the leading edge technology in the field of fire protection.

Fire safety professionals constantly seek the benefits of early warning of potential fires. In a perfect world it would be possible to place hundreds of smoke detecting sensors above and around any items or areas at risk. This would certainly enable a fast response to a potential fire, saving valuable time even in voluminous areas or where a high airflow may be present. But of course such a dream is not possible from a practical or financial point of view.

Video smoke detection technology makes this dream a reality.    

How it works -  Video Smoke and Flame Detection

Video smoke (VISD) and flame detection (VIFD) is performed by a software algorithm running on Visual Signal Processors (ViSPs) that implement parallel processing engines in hardware. Video images are analysed in real time by applying digital image processing techniques that allows smoke and flames to be detected with a high degree of confidence. The video image is continually monitored for changes and false alarms are eliminated by compensating for camera noise and acquiring knowledge of the camera view over time.

an illustration of how the Video Smoke Detection process works

Multiple zones can be defined for a camera view in which smoke and flames are to be detected. Each zone has a set of parameters that provide complete control over the detection algorithm. These parameters are configured individually for each zone in order to cater for a wide variety of application scenarios. It is also possible to combine information from multiple cameras to enhance the detection process.

Stemming from many years of research and development several complex statistical and geometrical measurements are made on the video image data from each zone as dictated by the control parameters. This is made possible by the parallel digital signal processing capabilities of the hardware. The scale of parameter settings is such that it is possible to detect smoke ranging from slow emerging faint smoke through to dense smoke plumes that are produced in a short period of time.

Once the measurements have been made from the video image data a set of rules can be applied to determine if they characterise smoke or flames. The rules can also be tuned to meet the specific application requirements to complete a robust and successful detection algorithm.

Video Smoke Detection Principles

VSD/VID (VISD) is based on sophisticated computer analysis of the video image seen by the CCTV camera (sensor). Using advanced image-processing technology and extensive detection algorithms (and known false alarm phenomena); the VID can automatically identify the distinctive characteristics of smoke patterns. The fire detection industry has an abundance of known smoke signatures and these are built into the system to give an accurate decision on whether smoke is present.

The VSD system uses standard CCTV equipment linked to a self contained processing system which is capable of recognising small amounts of smoke within the video image and alerting the system operator both at the processor and by a variety of remote outputs.

The VSD system employs highly complex algorithms to process video information from CCTV cameras simultaneously. The video hardware is designed to allow simultaneous real time digitising of all images, which means that the system does not multiplex images and, therefore, no information is lost or delayed. All alarm condition images are logged, time & date stamped, and stored within the system’s memory.

The VSD system detects smoke rapidly by looking for small areas of change within the image at the digitisation stage and only passing these pixel changes to the main processor for further filtering.

The video information is passed through a series of filters, which seek particular characteristics that can be associated with smoke behavior. Further analysis is then carried out on the relationships between the filtered characteristics to determine whether all the conditions have been met for the system to confidently predict the presence of smoke.

The system installer has the ability to vary the amount of smoke signal, and the length of time that the smoke exists before an alarm condition is raised to cater for situations where there may be background smoke present. The installer may also divide the video image into up to 16 zones and programmed the system to alarm only if smoke is present in multiple zones. Each zone can also be separately configured to generate an alarm at different levels of smoke activity.

The performance of a Smoke or Flame VID system must take into account three general items:

1. Fire sources

2. Environment

3. System variables

What it Overcomes

Standard smoke detection systems, be they point detection systems, infra-red beam detectors or aspirating systems all require the smoke generated from any combustion to reach them before they can recognise the particulates and activate an alarm. Such systems can function very effectively in internal thermally stable environments with low to moderate ceiling heights.

In large volumeous spaces such as enclosed sports arenas, exhibition halls, aircraft hangers and atriums, solar radiation, air conditioning systems and translucent glass all contribute to an increasing ambient temperature from floor to ceiling, known as a thermally stratified environment.

In a smouldering fire or low energy flaming fire scenario the raising combustion products cool as they rise through the air and move further away from the centre of combustion. In a temperature-stratified environment the ambient air temperature increases with height. As the combustion plume rises it cools, if this cooling reaches equilibrium with the temperature of the ambient air the smoke products will loose their buoyancy and move laterally to produce a roughly horizontal layer.  If the temperature slowly increases the hot air above the smoke will expand thus further reducing the height of the smoke stratification layer.

In environments with a high percentage change of air caused by either high velocity air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, or large open doors, smoke particles generated during low energy combustion can become quickly dispersed or diluted to the point where there are insufficient concentrations to activate an alarm in a standard smoke detection system.

These twin problems of stratification and dilution can seriously delay or even prevent a smoke detection system from entering an alarm state.

VSD systems over come both of these phenomena by looking below any stratification or dilution boundary at the incept point of any potential fire and identifying smoke generation at or very close to the source.

So, be separately configured to generate an alarm at different levels of smoke activity.

In general, VSD systems do not have fixed settings. They have many parameters that need to be adjusted to provide the optimum response to a specific fire risk. Therefore, it is very important that the manufacturer should be fully consulted in matters of product application and system design. The manufacturer’s installation, commissioning and service and maintenance instructions should also be followed.

Location and spacing

The location and spacing of detectors shall be based on the principle of operation and an engineering survey of the conditions anticipated in service. The manufacturer’s published instructions shall be consulted for recommended detector uses and locations. an engineering evaluation that includes the following:

(1) Structural features, size, and shape of the rooms and bays

(2) Occupancy and uses of the area

(3) Ceiling height

(4) Ceiling shape, surface, and obstructions

(5) Ventilation

(6) Ambient environment

(7) Burning characteristics of the combustible materials present

(8) Configuration of the contents in the area to be protected

Codes and Standards

The National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72-2007, recognizes the use of flame and smoke VID systems. (5.7.6 Video Image Smoke Detection; 5.8.5 Video Image Flame Detection) Per the Code, the installation of these systems requires a performance-based design. There are no prescriptive sitting requirements. Flame VID systems are classified as radiant energy sensing fire detectors and are treated similar to optical flame detectors. Due to the variability of VISD system capabilities and the differences in alarm algorithm technologies, NFPA 72 requires that the systems be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions.

Currently, there are no systems that are UL listed, and there is no UL standard that specifically addresses VID/VSD systems. Four systems have been FM approved. These include a system that detects only smoke, one that detects only flame and two that detect both. The systems have been approved to meet the requirements of FM Standard 3260, Radiant Energy- Sensing Fire Detectors for Automatic Fire Alarm Signaling, and UL 268, Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Signaling Systems.

The effect of all the changeable parameters in the VSD, such as camera lenses, software parameters adjustment and lighting conditions should be taken into consideration following the consultation principle given in BS5839 Part 1: 2002, clause 6.

BS 5839-1:2002 recognises the existence of VSD. Clause 21 j) recommends that:

"Video smoke detection systems should be capable of detecting smoke reliably in the absence of the normal lighting in the building and the absence of the mains power supply to any lighting provided specifically to aid the detection of smoke."

Environmental & Hazard Parameters

The foundational information collected for identifying typical/standard fire and smoke scenarios, likely false/nuisance scenarios, and a range of ambient conditions to which VISD systems may be subjected in the three target applications. This work included researching and reviewing fire incident data and conducting an industry workshop on VISD technology. On-site surveys and interviews with end-users were also conducted.

Installation of VSDs

Installation cables should be in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5839-1:2002.

Advantage of VISD Early fire detection

A VSD detecting fires in certain large open areas and areas of special high risk as:

1. VSD systems can be used for outdoor applications, such as train stations and off-shore oil platforms.

2. The ability of VSD to be programmed to provide different sensitivity (range) by lens selection, and to adapt to difficult application environments (false alarm sources) by tuning software operational parameters, makes it an ideal detection tool in special applications where an engineered solution is likely to give the best answer.

3. The ability to protect a large area, and/or areas with excessive ceiling heights, while still achieving fast detection. With VSD, smoke in the camera field of view can be detected whereas with other detector types, smoke has to migrate to, and be present in, the sensing area e.g. the sensing beam of a beam detector or the sensing chamber of a point smoke detector.

4. VSD, by providing accurate location of the incident, will benefit applications where targeted fire protection measures are required.

5. The ability to have live video immediately available upon detecting a pre-alarm or an alarm condition. This immediate situational awareness allows monitoring personnel to easily view the protected area to determine the extent of the fire and to more accurately identify the location.

6. Archiving of still and video images associated with alarm conditions also provides a means of assessing the cause of incidents and provides a basis for changes in the detection system if the event was a false/nuisance alarm.

7. The ability to sub-divide the image into different areas for separately identifying fire risks or programming out (masking) known sources of potential false alarms.

8. VSD, by providing visual verification of the event, will give operators information to facilitate a better and faster structured response of an incident and enable safer investigation by remote viewing.

Testing, servicing, maintenance and replacement

It is important to always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for testing, servicing, maintenance and replacement requirements. It may be desirable that, in some installations where the effect of potential false alarm sources cannot be fully determined, a period of trial is undertaken before completing the commissioning of the system and handing it over to the client.

A method, appropriate to the risk, of testing the effectiveness of the VSD at both the commissioning stage and at subsequent service and maintenance visits should be agreed with the equipment manufacturers or system installer. Tests should be conducted and documented in accordance with this method.

VSD should NOT be used in the following situations

1. Where certain processes are likely to produce smoke-like images which may be misunderstood by the video analysis software, unless it has been demonstrated through trial and, if required, tuning of the equipment so that the effect of these false alarm sources have been adequately established and eradicated. Examples include processes generating large amounts of steam and/or other gas plumes (exhaust fumes from forklift trucks) and/or environmental pollutants (vapour, dust, sprays). In outdoor or semi-outdoor situations this may also include insect swarms.

2. Where a deterministic response to known fires is required and can be achieved by the use of EN 54 approved detectors, i.e. most standard commercial and industrial applications.

3. Where there is a danger that the ambient lighting level is either too low or too high to obtain a satisfactory response from the VSD at the time it is required to monitor the risk, unless specific provisions are available to alleviate this danger. For example infrared illumination of the scene with back-up power supply, polarized lens filters, or where very intense light sources can blind the camera.

4. Where there are significant obstructions in the camera line-of-sight of the main identified risk or where such obstructions are temporary and of an unpredictable nature.

5. Where a particular equipment configuration, including installation cables, would not assure the integrity of the alarm transmission path through the system so as to provide the desired warnings to the occupants of a building or the desired response from the emergency services.

6. Where likely environmental conditions present may have an adverse effect on the ability of the VSD to properly operate. For example this would include fog, mist, snow and rain.

7.  Where the use of cameras is not appropriate due to data protection issues.

Technical issues with Outdoor Wireless Security Cameras

Technology is man-made and anything that is man-made will have a certain problems with them.  With latest technology developing day by day, the improvements on them also take place on a daily basis. What may have seemed like a solution once might become a problem tomorrow.  Same is the case with outdoor low voltage wireless security cameras.  They are the latest in security and surveillance systems, and have the fastest growing market.

These cameras have many great features that make them superior to wired CCTV cameras, but they to have a few drawbacks that may not be suitable to your needs, and would make having the traditional CCTV a better option for you.

Signal Disturbances in Outdoor Wireless Security Cameras

Since wires are not involved, the signal is transmitted through airwaves. These airwaves can easily catch disturbance from many sources. The signal can be disturbed by cell phone activity, microwaves or any other wireless technology. The footage quality is also compromised when the disturbance occurs. Though, modern-day cameras have become advanced enough to significantly reduce these disturbances, and with the advent of internet, the footage can be transferred through Wi-Fi systems.

Vulnerability of the Footage

Clever thieves can also block wireless signals with help of high-tech devices. Not just block them, the signals can be hacked into, and the footage can be stolen.  Even if the footage is transferred through password protected internet systems, this risk always remains.

Power Connectivity

Wires are not required, but electricity is. The cameras need power to function, and for that a power outlet is required. Each camera will need its individual connection, and since they are placed outside, this might prove to be a headache.

If the cameras run on battery, the question of charging them also arises. And in case of power outage, the cameras will surely need battery backup as the burglars become most active during power cuts.

Maintenance

Outdoor wireless security cameras are built to be placed outside, and hence are rough and tough. But the technology is modern, and needs to be delicately handled. A constant watch has to be kept on the functioning and upgrades in software and tech will also be necessary.

Vulnerability of the Camera

These cameras are small and portable; hence, one cannot forget that they too can be the targets of thieves. Since there are no complicated cables that are holding them, all one needs to do is unscrew them out of their secure place and the camera is theirs to keep.

Other Factors

They may not seem likely, but these things can affect your wireless cameras. Unwanted expenses can occur with these cameras, since everything is latest technology, the cameras may not work with the screens or computers you have, and you may end up having to buy new screens.

Needs differ and the newest in technology does not necessarily mean the right one.  Simplicity can be the best option many times, and you should think long and hard before making such an important decision as this is a question of security.

Video Smoke Detection

Video Smoke Detection (VSD) systems have been developed to overcome many of the problems associated with smoke detection. It provides solutions for previously unsolvable fire detection scenarios, working externally as well as internally and represents a true technological breakthrough in fire detection.


Video Smoke Detection is based on the computer analysis of video images provided by standard modern CCTV cameras. VSD automatically identifies the particular motion patterns of smoke and alerts the system operator to its presence in the shortest time possible. This enables a fast response to a potential fire, saving valuable time even in voluminous areas or where a high airflow may be present. 


In applications ranging from turbine halls to historic buildings, road tunnels, rail depots, warehouses, shopping malls, aircraft hangars and many others, Camera-based fire detection system has become established as the leading edge technology in the field of fire protection 

Fire safety professionals constantly seek the benefits of early warning of potential fires. In a perfect world it would be possible to place hundreds of smoke detecting sensors above and around any items or areas at risk. This would certainly enable a fast response to a potential fire, saving valuable time even in voluminous areas or where a high airflow may be present. Of course such a dream is not possible from a practical or financial point of view.

Video smoke detection technology makes this dream a reality.

How does VSD work?
Video smoke and flame detection is performed by a software algorithm running on Visual Signal Processors (ViSPs) that implement parallel processing engines in hardware. Video images are analyzed in real time by applying digital image processing techniques that allows smoke and flames to be detected with a high degree of confidence. The video image is continually monitored for changes and false alarms are eliminated by compensating for camera noise and acquiring knowledge of the camera view over time.

Multiple zones can be defined for a camera view in which smoke and flames are to be detected. Each zone has a set of parameters that provide complete control over the detection algorithm. These parameters are configured individually for each zone in order to cater for a wide variety of application scenarios. It is also possible to combine information from multiple cameras to enhance the detection process.

Stemming from many years of research and development several complex statistical and geometrical measurements are made on the video image data from each zone as dictated by the control parameters. This is made possible by the parallel digital signal processing capabilities of the hardware. The scale of parameter settings is such that it is possible to detect smoke ranging from slow emerging faint smoke through to dense smoke plumes that are produced in a short period of time.

Once the measurements have been made from the video image data, a set of rules can be applied to determine if they characterize smoke or flames. The rules can also be tuned to meet the specific application requirements to complete a robust and successful detection algorithm.

 Product

 FireVu is an advanced embedded Video Smoke Detection (VSD) server designed to operate over an IP network. For this, mathematical algorithms it is capable of determining the presence of smoke within each of its four available analog camera inputs (PAL or NTSC). Operators can be alerted either remotely over the system’s network or local to the unit via relay outputs.

Each camera image can have up to 16 fully independent, configurable zones, allowing the user complete flexibility on setting up the areas to be protected with their required sensitivity levels. System configuration is carried out via a series of web pages using a browser such as Internet Explorer, while system monitoring and reviewing is carried out by Observer client software.

All alarm events are recorded to disk with configurable pre and post event video, allowing the operator to witness (and download) the event, including who or what created it.
   
The system is a 19” rack-mountable unit, utilizing in-house manufactured Visual Signal Processors (ViSPs) to process the images.

Each unit possesses 16 configurable relay outputs and can accept up to 16 alarm inputs. Numerous servers can be joined to a network to create a multi-camera system for larger installations. 

Benefits

 It’s fast.... it detects smoke at the source of the fire.

1. It’s unaffected by high air movement.  It will sense smoke movement patterns just as quickly in high airflow as it does in no airflow environments.
2. It can detect all types of smoke.  Conventional detectors respond more quickly to certain types (colors) of smoke than others – VSD responds to the movement patterns typical of any color smoke.
3. It can use traditional security cameras that may already be existing at the facilities needing protection.
4. It gives visual verification of the alarm allowing a more immediate response to fire event.

It can retain a visual record (archive) of fire events for future playback and investigation activities.

Application

Case Study – Power Generation:
Here is a good example of where video smoke detection might solve a problem.  Fire protection is difficult for Turbine Generators in the Power Generation industry. Typically these turbine generators are in large open areas with really high ceilings.  Stratification effects from high ceilings, dilution of the smoke in the large open area and unpredictability from the high airflow in the space.  Conventional smoke or heat detection will just take too long to operate.

Video Smoke Detection can solve the problem.  It will detect the smoke at the source of the fire (typically coming from within the generator somewhere) and doesn’t wait for smoke or heat to reach the detectors mounted all the way at the ceiling.