ITECH2 field guide
Commercial Security Camera Site-Survey Guide for Los Angeles
How to prepare camera objectives, views, lighting, retention, network, power, mounting, access, and privacy questions before design.
Define what each camera must show
Describe the decision the recorded image must support: overview, identification, transaction review, vehicle detail, loading activity, perimeter awareness, or another operational need. Camera count should follow required views and scene conditions, not a generic square-foot formula.
Record scene and mounting conditions
Capture daytime and nighttime lighting, backlight, weather exposure, mounting surfaces, heights, obstructions, cable pathways, equipment-room locations, lift access, and areas where work must be coordinated with tenants or operations.
- Required view for each area
- Day and night lighting conditions
- Indoor or outdoor exposure
- Mounting height and surface
- Network and power availability
- Recording retention target
- Authorized viewing and export users
Plan storage and network capacity
Retention depends on resolution, frame rate, codec, activity, recording mode, and camera count. Confirm whether recording will use an on-site recorder, server, cloud service, or hybrid design, and review available bandwidth, PoE capacity, UPS runtime, remote access, and cybersecurity requirements.
Address privacy and policy with the right advisers
Camera placement, audio recording, notices, retention, access, and disclosure can involve organizational policy and legal requirements. ITECH2 can document technical options, but the customer should obtain legal or compliance guidance for its specific use.