Why it matters
CCTV, access control, alarms, and recorders are workhorses. They rarely complain—until the day you need them most. Preventive maintenance keeps uptime high, maintains evidence quality, and supports audits and insurance requirements.
Monthly checks (quick wins)
- Camera health: Verify every channel is online, focused, and clean. Confirm night mode and IR performance.
- Storage status: Check NVR/DVR disk health and retention days. Fix any “overwrite too soon” issues.
- Power and UPS: Ensure UPS load/runtime is sufficient. Inspect surge protection.
- Alarm paths: Trigger a test and confirm alerts reach the right people.
Quarterly tasks (deeper care)
- Access control: Test doors for latch/strike alignment, reader response, emergency egress, and anti‑passback rules.
- Firmware cycle: Apply vendor‑recommended updates after snapshot/backups and a rollback plan.
- Network: Verify PoE budgets, switch errors, link speeds, and VLAN isolation for security devices.
- Logs & users: Review admin accounts, failed access attempts, and alarm history for anomalies.
Annual activities (reset and optimize)
- Coverage review: Compare camera views to the current floor plan. Add or move devices for blind spots.
- Retention & compliance: Reconfirm storage policy matches legal and policy needs.
- Spares & replacements: Replace tired HDDs proactively; keep spare readers, locks, and PoE injectors on hand.
Proof that maintenance works
We log before/after photos, test results, and resolution times. Clients typically see fewer false alarms, faster incident response, and clean evidence trails for investigations.
Common pitfalls
- “Set and forget” recorders that silently reduce retention days.
- Incorrect time sync across systems—hurts investigations and audits.
- No rollback plan for firmware updates.
- Single admin account shared by many people.
Related reading
- Access Control Systems: Getting Doors Right
- Fire Safety Compliance: What to Know
- Structured Cabling: The Backbone of Modern Offices
- Smart Building Technology: The Future is Now
FAQs
How often should we service CCTV and access control?
Monthly health checks with a deeper quarterly service works for most sites; critical facilities add weekly spot checks.
Will maintenance void warranties?
No—following vendor guidance protects warranties. We document all changes and keep configs backed up.
Can you work after hours?
Yes. We plan maintenance windows to avoid disruption and coordinate with security teams.
We have mixed brands—can you support them?
We maintain multi-vendor environments daily and provide a single contact for support.