Top 7 Benefits of Video Surveillance for Businesses

 

**This article was published on 8/5/2016  and updated on  11/23/2021

Security and protection are imperative for any business, to protect workers, assets, buildings, and land.  Early warning of an emergency like a fire, gas leak, flood, or a security breach like vandalism or an intruder threat is critical to protect what matters most.  Surveillance video can provide a solution to commercial property owners and bring many benefits to businesses.

Types of Commercial Video Surveillance Systems

Many types of video surveillance systems exist for businesses, with evolving technology that is efficient, easy to use, and provides an added layer of security. Video cameras can be wired or wireless, with internet connectivity and computerized functions.  Cameras can be programmed to send mobile alerts, begin recording upon motion detection or record on a continuous loop and can be set to automatically alert dispatch to send law enforcement personnel. 

Surveillance cameras can be fixed or allowed to rotate for greater coverage, monitored in-house and/or remotely. Domed cameras placed strategically throughout the building are unobtrusive and are usually not noticed by the building occupants. These may be controlled remotely and can swivel 360° when needed. Some models are very durable and vandal-proof which is another important feature.

Cameras can also be installed for low-light or night vision capability or have features like a high speed license plate cam that can focus on vehicles that may be speeding away.

HRSS offers assistance in selecting the best type of surveillance cameras for your facility and provides fire alarm and security system design to meet code regulations as well as the needs of your specific facility.

Benefits of Business Video Surveillance Cameras

The most important benefits of video surveillance as part of your commercial security system are improving the safety and welfare of occupants and property.  There are many ways in which video cameras for businesses provide those benefits such as:

• Increasing Overall Safety – with video cameras always on, security is automatically increased as any number of emergency situations are being watched and recorded.
• Prevent Theft and Shoplifting – retail businesses face unique challenges regarding dishonest shoppers and the risk of shoplifting.  Cameras placed in strategic locations can help to deter shoplifting in the first place and help to identify and prosecute offenders.
• Prevent Employee Theft – small businesses in particular fall victim to employee theft. Video surveillance of areas over cash registers, safes or cash deposit boxes help to keep employees honest and management informed.
• Protects Against Burglary – an integrated security system featuring video surveillance is a big deterrent against burglars and any type of forced entry. Cameras have been an integral part of bring burglars to justice in many different types of breaking and entering cases.
• Reduces Risk of Vandalism – companies with video surveillance indoor and outdoor can steer away would-be vandals who look to damage your property.  Vandalism can cost companies thousands of dollars in repair and risk building security with broken windows or doors.
• Protects Customers in the Store and Parking Areas – Protecting your customers on your property, inside and outside of your building should always be a priority.  Many crimes occur in parking lots and by monitoring parking areas you help to keep your customers safe.
• Improve Your Bottom Line - Preventing incidents of theft, burglary and vandalism protect your assets and your checkbook. Video surveillance can also save money with insurance discounts if offered. 
  

Video surveillance provides these benefits and others, bringing a sense of safety and security to business owners and their customers. 

HRSS offers video surveillance systems as part of an integrated fire, life safety and security system for businesses of all sizes.  We help you to evaluate all your options and choose the best type of security system for your property and operations.  Contact us to learn more about implementing video surveillance for your business.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/security-alarms/benefits-commercial-surveillance-video/

 

Integrated Fire and Life Safety Systems for Healthcare Facilities

**This article was published on   8/5/2016  and updated on  11/15/2021

 

 

 

Protecting patients in hospitals and healthcare facilities is the top priority of healthcare staff.  Protecting patients during a fire or life safety emergency poses unique challenges in the healthcare industry when patients are simply unable to evacuate.

Unique Challenges for Fire Safety in Hospitals

Hospitals usually consist of several buildings spread out over a large medical campus, with complex building layouts.  Several activities may be occurring such as surgeries, medical imaging or tests which simply cannot be interrupted. Many patients are unable to evacuate on their own and staff may be unable to evacuate patients quickly. If an emergency does require an evacuation, it is extremely time-consuming and complex with many immobile patients.

Hospitals include patients admitted for longer stays and patients at the facility for outpatient procedures.  Healthcare facilities includes doctors’ offices, ambulatory facilities, and long-term care facilities. 

Code Requirements for Fire Safety in Healthcare

Security at hospitals requires an increased level of protection compared to other types of facilities with an integrated fire and life safety system. Most fire alarm requirements in healthcare relate directly to patient care with emergency procedures, while other requirements are directly related to the unique nature of critical care in large facilities. Early detection, adequate alerts, careful monitoring and quick response from staff and emergency personnel are essential in healthcare.

An integrated commercial security system provides the necessary safeguards to protect occupants and patients from fire, smoke, and gas as well as preventing unauthorized intruders from entering the facility.  Hospitals and healthcare facilities must adhere to the same national fire and life safety codes as other organizations as well as meeting the requirements set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).

You can learn more about the Life Safety Code & Health Care Facilities Code Requirements for Medicaid and Medicare providers from CMS.

NFPA Code Requirements for Healthcare Facilities

The CMS in conjunction with other accrediting organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, certify and accredit hospitals and healthcare facilities.  Fire safety code requirements include:

NFPA 101: Life Safety Code

NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code

The CMS requires that healthcare facilities meet the 2012 editions of NFPA 99 and NFPA 101®.  CMS works with various state agencies to assess healthcare facilities for compliance to the Life Safety Code requirements.  State agencies can enter into contracts or sub-agreements with their State Fire Marshal or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) responsible for enforcing their state requirements to fire code safety.

Benefits of an Integrated Fire Protection System in Hospitals

An integrated fire and life safety system combines all elements of effective fire and smoke alarm detection with access control monitoring and physical security into one system.

Remote Monitoring and Control

Evacuation notification, lockdowns and emergency alerts can be managed and monitored from a single or numerous control points either on site or from remote monitoring locations.

Voice and LED Evacuation

Voice and LED evacuation directions combine with such elements as remote-control door locking, elevator control, closed circuit video and motion detection systems in fire or security emergencies. These may be beneficial in fire emergencies or threatening security events.

Integrated Access and Monitoring

Integrating card access control with closed circuit TV monitoring and motion detection, security personnel can track and monitor suspicious activity within the building or on the external property. Likewise, security personnel can instantly restrict access by locking all entry doors or initiating evacuation if a dangerous situation should arise within.

HRSS Offers Integrated Fire Safety Solutions for Healthcare

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is a fire and life safety system provider in the Chicagoland area with decades of expertise in protecting commercial properties.  We offer fire and life safety system solutions to hospitals, healthcare facilities and many other commercial properties including hotels, schools, and businesses of all sizes.

Our fire safety specialists possess deep technical knowledge of all fire and life safety code requirements and help our clients to ensure total code compliance with a fire alarm system designed around your unique building layout and operations.  We offer UL listed equipment from the leading fire alarm manufacturers in the world including NOTIFIER® by Honeywell.  NOTIFIER® offers unique solutions for fire safety integration with innovative technology and first-to-market products like self-testing smoke alarm devices.

HRSS provides turnkey solutions with quality fire alarm equipment, full system design with AutoCAD and experienced system designers, fire alarm system testing, inspections, maintenance, repairs and monitoring 24/7/365. Contact us to learn more about code compliant fire and life safety security integration for healthcare facilities.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/security-alarms/integrated-alarm-systems-safeguarding-health-care-facility/