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WBCHSE HS Vocational Security study materials
WBCHSE HS Vocational Security study resources

WBCHSE HS Vocational Security: Perimeter Protection and Surveillance Systems (CCTV, alarms, sensors)

WBCHSE HS Vocational Security · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

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Perimeter Protection and Surveillance Systems (CCTV, alarms, sensors)

This domain covers electronic detection and viewing - perimeter intrusion detection, CCTV, intruder alarms and the sensors behind them. Expect questions on camera coverage, recording retention, alarm zones and evidence handling.

Perimeter protection

Physical fencing is combined with perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS) such as vibration sensors on the fence, buried cable, infrared beam barriers across a gap, and microwave barriers on open ground. PIDS gives early warning but needs a clear zone free of animals and vegetation to avoid nuisance alarms.

CCTV

  • Camera types: fixed bullet, dome (discreet, wider view), PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom, operator controlled).
  • Key properties: resolution, field of view, low-light or IR capability, and placement for facial identification at gates.
  • Recording is stored on a DVR or NVR; retention is set by the site's policy (30 days is a common requirement), and the time stamp must be synchronised and checked.
  • Coverage rules: no blind spots at gates, cash counters, stores and escape routes; overlapping fields so that a person leaving one camera's view enters another.

Alarms and sensors

  • Control panel with zones, each zone a protected area; a tamper circuit raises an alarm if the wiring or cover is opened.
  • PIR (passive infrared) detects body heat movement; microwave detects movement through reflection; dual-technology units require both to trigger, cutting false alarms.
  • Smoke and heat detectors serve fire detection, not intrusion.

Worked example. A store's rear door is covered by a camera but the recorded image shows only a dark shape. Reasoning: the fault is lighting and field of view, not the recorder. The fix is to reposition the camera, add IR or a light, and test identification of a person at the door at night.

Evidence handling

If footage is needed, export it with the correct time range, record the hash or a written description, and keep a chain-of-custody note. Never edit the original.

Traps

  • Claiming CCTV prevents crime; it detects and records.
  • Ignoring privacy of changing rooms and toilets.
  • Overwriting footage because retention was never checked.