Subscriber Discussion

Laws For CCTV Integration / Installation

HC
Hernan Carzalo
Mar 01, 2015
IPVMU Certified

is there any law for general CCTV integrations/installations? not necessary USA laws.

I suppose that there are some recommendations (as the TIA for datacenters) but what about the musts and the responsibility of the integrators?

JH
John Honovich
Mar 01, 2015
IPVM

The US generally has nothing.

The UK has a fair amount of licensing and laws surrounding CCTV and its installation - see their governing body - the UK Home Office Security Industry Association.

HC
Hernan Carzalo
Mar 01, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Thanks John!

it looks like a licencing requiement. This are conditions for a company or an individual to install.

But is there about the installation itself?

JH
John Honovich
Mar 01, 2015
IPVM

I believe it's covered or impacted by their Data Protection Act, something we discussed here: Report from a UK Surveillance Specialist

Obviously, not being from the UK, this is just second hand. Anyone from the UK, I'd appreciate direct feedback.

JD
Jim Daly
Mar 01, 2015

It is a legal requirement for installers of cctv, access control and alarm systems to be licensed in Ireland. It is also an offence to employ a unlicensed contractor to install / service a security system with penalties ranging from fines up to €3000 ($3500) and up to 5 years imprisonment!

More info from licencing authority psa.gov.ie

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Demetris Erodotou
Jun 20, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Do you have to pay to be licensed? How much you pay for?

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Mark Jones
Mar 02, 2015

It is generally the same here in the US, but it is at the State level. There are no Federal guidelines I am aware of. There have been attempts at it, but none have been successful.

If you are in the US, you will want to read up on your States requirements. They vary greatly.

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DH
Damon Hood
Jun 15, 2015

THere are not any U.S. laws that are specific to CCTV, however lately with a lot of the work we have done inthe past wo years regarding new construction and extensive remodels, there are many jurisdictions that ae adopting low voltage codes that would impact CCTV. Specifically they are requiring permits and plans for such low voltage projects to be submitted.

All of my expirance is within TX.

One jurisdiction went as far on an extensive remodel to require all existing low voltage wiring to be removed and not just abandoned in the ceiling or capped off in the wall.

These codes cover not only CCTV, card access, burglary alarms.

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Mark Jones
Jun 15, 2015

The requirement you speak of regarding the removal of abandoned cables is not limited to low voltage. It is a requirement of the NEC and pertains to all voltages and uses. The electrical constructor must either remove them or tag them for future use.

U
Undisclosed #1
Jun 15, 2015
IPVMU Certified

The electrical constructor must either remove them or tag them for future use.

Damon doesn't say he had the 'tag' option.

In any event why not just 'tag' all coax for future use? Who could argue?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Jun 17, 2015

Damon, I'm not sure if I'm reading your post right. Texas has some of the strictest laws regultating the installation of CCTV and access control that I have seen in any state. Installation is regulated by the State Private Security Bureau and you must obtain a license to install any of these things. All employees involved in the construction and monitoring must be licensed under your company as well.

Take a look at Texas's PSB website here.

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Mark Jones
Jun 15, 2015

The NEC requires any cables not in use to either be tagged for future use or removed. The local AHJ, as always, can have a more strict interpretation of that code. They can require the removal and tagging would not be an option. If he/she does not have an opinion or requirement, the code does allow for "tagging for future use", as long as it is identified. Who could argue indeed. It would appear that Damon has found one that does have a strict interpretation/opinion.

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Demetris Erodotou
Jun 20, 2015
IPVMU Certified

If you come in Cyprus a small island in Mediterranean sea, you must have a POLICE licenses to install Any alarm system including CCTV.

The annual fee is 2000 euro!!! Plus 50 euro per year for every installer you employee.

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Brian Rhodes
Jun 20, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Wow. Are those fees just general taxes, or are they used to enforce alarm system regulations of some sort?

Do I need to have some training, take a test, and then pay the fee to be licesned, or do I just pay the fee and start from there?

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Mark Jones
Jun 20, 2015

Have you looked at the size of their national debt lately?

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Demetris Erodotou
Jun 21, 2015
IPVMU Certified

What is the size of national debt has to do with security regulations ?

Can you explain ?

U
Undisclosed #1
Jun 21, 2015
IPVMU Certified

I think that Mark is implying that the Cyprian National Debt, which is currently around 28 trillion USD, may have caused tax rates/administrative fees to significantly rise in an effort to reduce same.

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Demetris Erodotou
Jun 21, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Maybe my web browser do some mistake and show GDP $18,090,080,611 And no 28 trillion USD . Chech http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org CYPRUS ..

anyway this not the discussion that Hernan Carzalo start. :)

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Demetris Erodotou
Jun 21, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Hi Brian

no something special. .when this rule established in 2008 we went to a "college " just for the certification regarding privacy ....

no training no anything advance. Just a clear criminal history and you send your application form with 450 euro! They accept your company and they send the licence after 2-3 weeks

and you pay another 2000 euro...every year. ..

and now you are a Police licence company so you can install and maintain burglar alarms and cctv systems.

(1)
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Demetris Erodotou
Jun 21, 2015
IPVMU Certified

I am curious to learn if this fee is in any other place of earth....

only 150 companies are licensed but anyone can install and maintain security systems with no "problem"....at the end of the day. ...

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Mark Jones
Jun 21, 2015

The US. Government generally has no laws, currently that are applicable. States have only the electrical installation guidelines, no CCTV or security guidelines. There is and has been for some time now an effort by U.L., a private organization to institute some regulation, but it has been rejected to date.

You are correct of course, the Cyprus National debt is approximately 18 Billion U.S dollars against a GDP of 21 Billion and a population of just over 1 million. Cyprus banks invested heavily in Greece's economy and that is due to implode any day now unless the EU grants another extension.

The small attempt at humor on my part was not directed at you or Cyprus. Most governments increase fees when they need to raise revenue. Our own State increased our Security fees by 50% a few years ago when our economy went into the dump. All of our fees went up dramatically. Our license fees, our permit fees, you name it. Taxes and fees are a governments only source of revenue.

There was no harm intended towards Cyprus, just governments in general. Best of luck to you.

U
Undisclosed #1
Jun 21, 2015
IPVMU Certified
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Jun 22, 2015

States have only the electrical installation guidelines, no CCTV or security guidelines.

This is not correct. I know at least Texas has licensing requirements for installation of CCTV and access controls. The maxium penalty in Texas for unlicensed work is $4000 and up to a year in jail. I put a link in the discussion above for the Texas PSB, here it is again. I urge anyone planning on installing CCTV or access controls in the state of TX to review it.

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Mark Jones
Jun 23, 2015

North Carolina, Florida, Va, Texas, and more have similar State regulations. These regulations define who is, and the scope of duties. They lay out what tests are required, the fees associated, establish a board to govern, penalties, etc. They have nothing what-so-ever to say about how it should be installed; the actual mechanics of it. To my knowledge, no State does. NFPA 730 and 731 are the closest I have ever read on what is required when installing, and they are not required, just recommended. My company works in Texas frequently. There is no specification that I am aware of that mandates any particular device be used in a particular way.

The NEC regulates how all electrical and electronic devices, including security devices will be mechanically installed. It does not say that a particular device will or shall be installed in a particular set of circumstances. It says nothing about storage requirements for servers, security records retention, transmission methods, wireless limitations, documentation for projects, management, etc.

If I am wrong I apologize, and I apologize if any of this sounds the least bit arrogant, but I am very familiar with the requirements.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Jun 23, 2015

I don't think you are being arrogant at all, everyone here is trying to share knowledge to help each other out and improve our own job skills. I appreciate you taking the time to add to the discussion and hope my contributions are received the same way.

In re-reading your post I realize we are discusing two different things and I apologize I did not intially catch this when I posted. You are making the point that no states regulate the actual "methods and proceedures" of a CCTV install beyond NEC wiring safety requirements, and I agree with you.

I am pointing out that to actually perform work as an CCTV integrator in certain states (Texas by way of example) there are fairly stringent licensing requirements which carry fairly severe penalties when ignored and I see that you acknowledge this as well.

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