CCTV Installation Checklist

A CCTV installation that looks fine on the day can still have gaps that only show up when you actually need the footage -- a blind spot at the side gate, a camera facing directly into the morning sun, or a recorder with no backup power. This checklist covers what a proper installation should address, whether you're doing it yourself, briefing a contractor, or checking Qyvea's own work.

Before installation: site assessment

• All entrances and exits identified, including side gates and rarely-used doors
• Parking areas and vehicle entry points covered
• Cash points, stock rooms or other high-value areas identified separately
• Existing blind spots from any current cameras documented
• Cable run distances measured from each camera position to the recorder location
• Power availability confirmed at each camera position or along the cable run (for PoE)
• Internet availability confirmed if remote viewing is wanted

Camera placement

• Each camera's field of view checked against the actual area it's meant to cover, not just mounted and assumed
• Camera angles checked against direct sunlight or strong backlighting at different times of day
• Mounting height set to capture identifiable detail (too high loses facial detail; too low is vulnerable to tampering)
• Outdoor cameras confirmed to have an appropriate IP rating for exposure
• Night vision range checked against actual distances that need covering after dark

Cabling & power

• Cable runs protected (conduit or cable trunking) rather than left exposed where they can be damaged or tampered with
• Cable run lengths within the rated distance for the cable type (typically up to 100m for standard Ethernet/PoE)
• Recorder positioned somewhere secure and ventilated, not exposed or easily accessible to an intruder
• Backup power (UPS) fitted so recording continues through short outages

Configuration & testing

• Every camera reviewed on the recorder screen, not just assumed to be working from the mounting
• Night-time footage checked separately from daytime -- a camera can look fine in daylight and be useless at night if not tested
• Motion detection zones set to avoid constant false triggers from trees, flags or traffic
• Storage/retention period confirmed against actual recorder capacity (see our storage calculator guide)
• Remote viewing app installed and tested on the client's own phone before the technician leaves

Handover

• Client shown how to review footage, not just how to see a live view
• Login credentials for the app and recorder provided and changed from any default password
• Basic troubleshooting guidance given for common issues (camera offline, no remote view)
• Maintenance recommendation given -- what to check periodically and how often

This page is designed to be printed or checked off on-screen -- checkboxes don't save automatically, so print it or take a screenshot once you're done if you want a record.