As an apartment building owner or administrator, one of your responsibilities is to ensure that your tenants enjoy a safe and secure living environment within your property. Installing a surveillance system is just the first step. You need to make sure you’ve installed the right equipment at the right place and for the right purpose.
Components of a Surveillance System
For improved security, your apartment building must be equipped with the devices listed below.
Door and Window Alarms
These must be positioned on every possible entry point that is within the public or main domain of the apartment building. You are not required to install alarms for doors and windows within your tenants’ apartments but it wouldn’t hurt if you ask them about it. They might want to install similar alarms and maybe even have it integrated with the overall security or surveillance system for the building.
Phone Alarm
A line alarm, when triggered, will automatically dial preset numbers and play a pre-recorded message. If the first number cannot be contacted, it will move on to the next number in its list. It may also be installed in such a way that it uses another phone line. In this case, even if the main phone line of your apartment building doesn’t work, the phone alarm will still be able to function.
Automatic Lock System
It is also a good practice to establish a curfew for your tenants. This way, it’s fine to install an automatic lock system and not worry about having to wait for tenants who hadn’t yet come home. But even without a curfew, it would be simple for your night manager to ascertain the person’s identity before disabling the auto-locking system.
Fire Alarm
You may also want to integrate your surveillance system with the fire alarm in your apartment building. That way, if there is any sign of smoke or fire, the entire building may be alerted with your alarm. Your surveillance system may also be used to determine which areas had been first and severely hit and relay it to the authorities.
Surveillance Cameras and Network
Finally, you need to install cameras in each hallway and floor. Some of them may be visible, some of them should be hidden, but definitely all important areas within the building and its outside perimeter must be monitored. It must also use a wireless system so that you can access it remotely or online. With this, you can personally ensure that your apartment building is safe at all times wherever you may be.