Whether natural, man-made, indoor or outdoor, environmental conditions are important considerations when installing IP cameras.
In the last year alone, several major retailers have been caught off-guard by problems at their food processing plants, mostly related to cleanliness and food storage. From peanut butter to poultry, companies have been forced to recall products — and endure the attendant PR nightmare — based on these issues. So it makes sense that many food processing plants, especially ones where live animals are brought, either have or are looking to install or upgrade a video system, not only for security but to monitor quality assurance and ensure cleanliness processes are being followed.
Ideally, these plants should be rigorously cleaned with high-pressure hoses and the appropriate chemicals, says Jay Hauhn, vice president, product management and industry relations for Boca Raton, Fla.-based Tyco Integrated Security. In addition to the plant’s normal operations, unless installers and integrators use the appropriate equipment for that environment, that very cleaning process that’s designed to improve food safety can pose a major challenge for those cameras — mainly because of the human element.