Free Construction Site CCTV Layout CCTV Design Tool
Construction sites move fast and have no fixed infrastructure. This layout uses solar/4G cameras at the perimeter, ANPR at the gate, and a tower-mount overview camera that sees the whole site at once.
4-12
Typical cameras
1,000-10,000 sqm
Typical area
Temporary infrastructure
challenge
Recommended camera zones
| Zone | Camera type | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site entrance / gate | Bullet / LPR | 1-3 | ANPR bullet — reads contractor and delivery vehicles. Solar/4G powered. |
| Perimeter / fence line | Bullet / IR | 1-4 | IR bullets at fence corners, 50–100 m night range, with motion alerting. |
| Equipment yard / lay-down area | Bullet / Thermal | 2-4 | Thermal bullets at the corners — copper, fuel and tool theft is dominant after-hours. |
| Tower-mount / overview | Dome | 1-2 | PTZ on the tower crane or site office — full-site view for project management AND security. |
Key challenges for
Temporary infrastructure
No building, no PoE, no fibre. Use solar-powered or generator-powered cameras with 4G/LTE backhaul. Plan recharge schedules and 4G data caps before installation.
Power: PoE and 4G considerations
Solar cameras need 6+ hours direct sun in winter — site shadow analysis matters. 4G cameras burn 5–20 GB/month at HD; budget for monthly data plans.
Dust and weather
Construction dust films lenses in days. IP66 minimum, with monthly cleaning. Avoid mounting cameras downwind of crushers or grinding stations.
Perimeter coverage with minimal cameras
Sites are perimeter-driven — most theft and damage happens at the fence line, not the centre. Long-range thermal/IR bullets at fence corners cover more ground than a dozen domes inside.
Pro tips for
Specify solar AND 4G — neither alone covers a site reliably through winter and storms.
Use thermal bullets for perimeter at night — cheaper than lighting the entire fence line, and detects intruders 2–3× further.
Plan for camera relocation — at month 6 the site looks nothing like month 1; mounts should be portable.
Brief the GC and site manager — site security is operational, not just the security contractor's job.
Use cameras with on-board AI (person/vehicle detection) — reduces 4G data usage by 70%+ vs continuous recording.
Frequently asked questions
How many cameras for a typical construction site?
Typically 4–10: 1 gate ANPR, 2–4 perimeter corners, 1–2 equipment yard, 1 tower overview. Larger sites (10,000+ sqm) easily push to 12–16.
Solar or 4G — which is the right backhaul?
Solar for power, 4G/LTE for backhaul — they're complementary, not alternatives. Solar handles the recharge; 4G handles data. Sites with mains and fibre can use PoE but most don't have either.
Do I need permits for site CCTV?
In most jurisdictions, signage at every gate is mandatory but a permit isn't. ANPR may need a separate notification under data-protection law (UK ICO, EU GDPR). Check local rules — penalties are usually administrative, not criminal.
Design your own layout in minutes
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