Proper camera placement is critical for effective surveillance. This guide covers best practices for achieving maximum coverage while minimizing blind spots.

General Placement Principles

• Height: 8-10 feet for general surveillance, higher for crowd overview
• Angle: 15-30 degrees downward tilt for facial capture
• Lighting: Position to avoid direct light sources and glare
• Coverage: Overlap adjacent camera views by 10-15%

Critical Areas

Entry Points

• Main entrances: Face-on view for identification
• Secondary doors: Wide-angle for activity monitoring
• Loading docks: High-resolution for license plate capture

Interior Spaces

• Hallways: End-to-end coverage with minimal cameras
• Open areas: PTZ for flexible monitoring
• High-value areas: Dedicated high-resolution cameras

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Pointing cameras into bright light sources
• Inadequate night vision consideration
• Ignoring privacy regulations
• Under-specifying resolution for required detail

Testing and Validation

Always perform on-site testing at different times of day and lighting conditions before finalizing installation.