Video Surveillance for Perimeter Security: Ultimate Protection Solutions

Video Surveillance for Perimeter Security

Implementing a video surveillance system for perimeter security is generally recommended in the following scenarios:

• The secured site has an extended perimeter.
• The site covers a large area.
• The site stores high-value equipment, materials, or other assets in open spaces.

For effective security, the site should also have a 24/7 physical security presence capable of responding quickly to incidents.

Although clients can configure surveillance systems to meet their preferences, the following tips and recommendations for perimeter video surveillance might be helpful.

Practical Tips and Recommendations

Response Time is Key
Effective perimeter security relies heavily on detecting intruders as quickly as possible.

Since the detection zone for video surveillance systems along perimeters is relatively narrow, even with additional physical security measures (e.g., fences), intruders can cross these barriers within seconds.

Video Surveillance Alone Isn’t Enough

If perimeter surveillance is used without supplementary measures, security personnel would need to constantly monitor system screens—an impractical expectation.

One solution is to enable motion detection with sound alerts. However, due to system latency and guard reaction times, real-time visual event monitoring may not always be achievable.

Combined Systems: Video Surveillance and Alarms

It’s advisable to integrate video surveillance with perimeter alarm systems. By combining detection zones, you increase the likelihood of identifying an intruder on camera screens.

Design Considerations for Perimeter Surveillance

1. Define System Requirements for Detail

   • For example, if detecting human intruders is the goal, the field of view (FOV) width $H$ for each camera should be approximately 18 meters.

2. Determine Camera Spacing

   • The distance between cameras $r$ depends on the focal length $f$ of the camera lens. For instance, with $f = 8$ mm and a 1/3" sensor, $r = 32$ meters.

Example Calculation

To monitor a perimeter $R$ meters long:
$\text{Number of Cameras (N)} = \frac{R}{r} + 1$
For a 100-meter perimeter and $f = 8$ mm:
$N = \frac{100}{32} + 1 = 4 \text{ cameras}$
(Values are rounded up to the nearest whole number to ensure adequate coverage.)

Adjusting for Guaranteed Detection Zones

While the basic design may provide coverage, the detection zone width (h) at camera positions needs to be accounted for.

• If $H = 18$ m and $r = 32$ m, the guaranteed detection zone narrows to zero at the midpoint between cameras.
• To ensure a minimum detection zone width (e.g., 10 meters), reduce the spacing between cameras:
  $r_{\text{adjusted}} = r \cdot (1 - \frac{h}{H})$
  For the example above:
  $r_{\text{adjusted}} = 32 \cdot (1 - \frac{10}{18}) = 14 \text{ meters}$

This adjustment guarantees a consistent detection zone width of at least 10 meters.

Important Considerations

• Larger camera spacing may still allow visibility of intruders, but it does not guarantee reliable detection.
• These calculations can be modified to suit specific site requirements.
• Organizational and technical requirements for perimeter video surveillance are similar to those for any outdoor surveillance system.

By following these recommendations, you can design a perimeter security system tailored to your site’s needs.