The useful answer is rarely “buy the biggest number.” This guide turns the specification sheet into an installation decision you can defend after dark, after handover and when footage is actually needed.
Run monthly recording checks
Monthly checks should confirm that every expected camera is recording with correct time, focus and field of view. Play back a recent event rather than trusting a green status icon. Clean only when necessary and with materials safe for the lens coating.
Inspect hardware every quarter
Quarterly work should include alert review, user-account cleanup, storage health and a sample export. Inspect outdoor seals, brackets, vegetation and cable entries. Compare views with commissioning images so gradual movement or new obstructions are easy to spot.
Review security and retention annually
Annually, review firmware support, retention policy, UPS batteries and the purpose of each camera. Restore a configuration backup to spare equipment where practical. A maintenance log should state what was tested, what failed and who accepted any remaining risk.
Commission the system against a written evidence goal. Save reference images and settings so future maintenance can spot gradual changes.
Can another person prove the system still works?
Record the final view, night image, bitrate, alerts, firmware and access method. A system is not finished until the owner can verify recording and export without the installer standing beside it.
Every site is different. Confirm manufacturer instructions, electrical requirements, privacy obligations and local regulations before installation.
Frequently asked questions
How often should CCTV be maintained?
Check recording and time monthly, inspect physical condition quarterly, and complete a deeper annual review of storage, access, firmware and purpose.
What should a CCTV maintenance report include?
Record camera status, image quality, time accuracy, storage health, alerts, physical defects, firmware decisions and corrective work.