The TAPA FSR requires a documented function check for all CCTV cameras on operational days. It also requires a work procedure.
The first mistake is that the LSPs look at the live CCTV camera feeds and determines that the CCTV cameras are recording because they see a live image.
Just because you see a live image does not mean that the images are being stored on the server. The only way to determine if images are being stored is to look at the stored images. It is possible that live feeds are active but nothing is being recorded on the hard drive. Each CCTV camera must be individually set to record its live feed.
Some CCTV systems have an automated system to determine if an image from the CCTV camera is being recorded on the server. The CCTV software monitors space on the server. If space is being used, the system shows a green light on the CCTV control panel. Yes, technically the CCTV system can determine that space is being used to record images.
The problem is, just because an image is being recorded does not mean that the image is useful. A CCTV image that is pixelated or out of focus takes up space, but has no value. The only way to determine the usability of recorded CCTV images is to evaluate the recorded CCTV images with the human eye.
It is wrong not to have a written work procedure for the daily CCTV function checks.
A procedure should be written that says that the reviews will be conducted on operational days. Stored CCTV images will be reviewed for ALL CCTV cameras on an operational daily basis. The CCTV system time will be set to a consistent time in order to ensure that there are stored CCTV images on the server, and that the stored images are useful for their intended use.
It is wrong not to have documented evidence of the daily checks.
A record of the review of all daily CCTV function checks should be documented. The register of the daily CCTV checks may include such information as the date of the review, the time of the review, the CCTV system date and time, name of the reviewer, status of the CCTV check, and problems regarding the CCTV cameras such as out of focus, wrong alignment, cobwebs, dirty lenses, etc.
It is wrong to randomly change the time and date of the CCTV camera for the function check. It is best to consistently change the CCTV system time to a few hours before the actual test.
For example, the checks can be done on each operational day between 08:00 and 10:00. Change the CCTV system time to 06:00. That means, everyday, the CCTV system is checked between 08:00 and 10:00 in the morning. Each CCTV check requires that the CCTV system time be set to 06:00 on the same date as the check. This technique ensured that only a maximum of 24 hours lost images for a camera in the event of a technical failure.
It is wrong to check a couple CCTV cameras today and a couple different CCTV cameras tomorrow. Each CCTV camera must be check everyday.
Checking the CCTV cameras every day is time consuming. It is possible to set the CCTV system to 06:00 and show multiple camera images on the screen at the same time. As you look at the screen, you must confirm that there is an image for each CCTV camera. If there is a blank / black image, the CCTV did not record properly.
In addition, you must confirm the date and time of the images on the screen are the same as the date and time you set for the review.
Some CCTV systems will show the last stored image. The problem is, the last stored image might be several days old. Of course, this works great for continuous CCTV recordings. Motion activated systems are more challenging.
After the review of the first set of multiple CCTV images, the next collection of images must be brought to the screen and reviewed.
The process is continued until all CCTV camera images have been reviewed.