From 13 Cameras to 50: A Major CCTV Upgrade for a Local Norfolk School

LVL1 recently completed our largest CCTV project to date, upgrading the security camera system across a local school site in Norfolk.

The project covered multiple buildings & involved replacing, upgrading & expanding an ageing CCTV system to provide significantly better coverage, clearer footage & a platform that can continue to grow with the site.

The finished system now includes 50 CCTV cameras across the site, managed from a new 64-channel Hikvision recorder.

Starting with the existing CCTV system

The school already had 13 CCTV cameras in place, but the system had been installed for several years & was beginning to show its age.

Five of the existing cameras were no longer working at all. The remaining eight were still usable, but required firmware updates, cleaning & general maintenance to bring them back up to the best standard possible.

Rather than automatically replacing everything, we assessed each existing camera individually.

Where an existing camera could still do its job effectively, we retained & upgraded it. Where additional coverage or improved image quality was needed, we planned new cameras around the requirements of each area.

This helped make the best use of the school’s existing investment while significantly improving the overall CCTV system.

Planning the CCTV system before installation

One of the most important parts of a CCTV project happens before a camera is installed.

We visited the site & completed a full walk-around with the customer, discussing existing problem areas, coverage requirements, blind spots & locations where additional cameras would be useful.

The customer then provided us with a map of the site, which we digitally marked up with our proposed CCTV design.

This included:

• Existing cameras that would remain
• Cameras that needed replacing
• Proposed locations for new cameras
• Approximate CCTV cable routes
• Network cable routes between buildings
• Areas where additional infrastructure would be required

This gave the customer a clear overview of exactly what was being proposed before installation started.

It also created a straightforward document they could share internally with the wider trust when obtaining approval for the project.

For larger CCTV installations, this planning stage can make a substantial difference. It allows potential problems to be identified early & ensures that everyone understands what the finished system will look like.

42 new Hikvision cameras installed

Once the design was agreed, LVL1 installed 42 new Hikvision cameras across the site.

Different cameras were selected depending on the area being covered rather than using the same specification everywhere.

The installation included:

• 4MP cameras for internal areas
• 8MP cameras for external coverage
• A 12MP camera covering one particularly large area
• Camera mounting arms where additional reach or positioning was required
• Junction boxes where appropriate for the environment
• A new 64-channel Hikvision NVR

Combined with the eight existing cameras that were retained & upgraded, the finished installation provides the school with a total of 50 operational CCTV cameras.

CCTV across multiple buildings

This was not simply a case of installing cameras around a single building.

The school consists of multiple buildings across a large site, requiring long cable runs & connectivity between different parts of the premises.

Careful planning was therefore required around both the CCTV cabling & network infrastructure supporting the system.

Each camera position also had to be considered individually. Some locations required different mounting methods, cable routes or camera specifications to achieve the right coverage while keeping the installation neat & practical.

Working around an active school site

Timing was another important part of the project.

We worked closely with the customer to schedule the main installation during the summer holidays, allowing us to complete the work while pupils were away from the site.

There were still other contractors & projects taking place during the holidays, so we worked closely with the customer to coordinate our installation around the wider site activity.

Planning the work this way allowed us to complete a substantial CCTV installation while minimising disruption to the school.

A significant improvement in CCTV coverage

The completed system provides much wider coverage across the site, while also improving the quality & usability of the CCTV available to the customer.

The upgrade has provided:

• Significantly improved coverage
• Fewer CCTV blind spots
• Clearer, higher-resolution footage
• Easier access to recordings
• Improved security across the site
• Longer footage retention
• Simpler management from a central recorder
• Capacity for future expansion

The 64-channel NVR also leaves room for additional cameras to be added in the future without immediately requiring another major upgrade.

CCTV installation & upgrades for businesses, schools & organisations

Not every CCTV project needs to involve 50 cameras.

LVL1 can help with existing systems that are becoming outdated, CCTV upgrades where additional coverage is required, or completely new installations.

Our approach is to understand the site first, identify what can be retained, work out where improvements are needed & design a system around the actual requirements of the customer.

For larger sites, we can also provide clear CCTV plans showing proposed camera positions, replacements, infrastructure & cable routes before work begins.

Whether you’re looking to replace an ageing CCTV system, improve coverage across your premises or plan a completely new installation, LVL1 can help design & install a solution around your site, requirements & budget.

01603 517404
hello@lvl1.co.uk