# CCTV planning guide for architects: a pre-construction checklist

> Plan CCTV the same week you plan electrical layouts. Locate cameras to cover entries, perimeter, vehicle paths and high-value zones, route cabling through structured pathways, and reserve a clean equipment room for the NVR/VMS. Decide retention, resolution and analytics before specifying any camera.

**Author:** Arif Khan — Security Infrastructure & Building Technology Strategist  
**Published:** 2026-05-20  
**Reading time:** 7 min  
**Category:** [Security Infrastructure](https://arifkhanglobal.com/ask-arif/category/security-infrastructure)  
**Tags:** CCTV, Architects, Planning, Pre-construction  
**Canonical:** https://arifkhanglobal.com/ask-arif/cctv-planning-guide-for-architects

## Short answer

Plan CCTV the same week you plan electrical layouts. Locate cameras to cover entries, perimeter, vehicle paths and high-value zones, route cabling through structured pathways, and reserve a clean equipment room for the NVR/VMS. Decide retention, resolution and analytics before specifying any camera.

## Visual explanation

Floor plate diagram showing camera coverage cones, blind spots, cable pathways and the dedicated equipment room — overlaid on a typical residential and office layout.

## Real-world example

On a 4-floor corporate fit-out, planning CCTV alongside the electrical drawings let us route all cabling inside the false ceiling on day one — no surface conduits, no chases cut into finished walls.

## Lessons

- Plan camera locations against the architectural plan, not the BOQ.
- Reserve a clean, ventilated equipment room for NVR/VMS.
- Decide retention (days), resolution and analytics first; cameras second.
- Avoid wireless cameras for permanent installations.

## Related projects

- Corporate HQ, NCR
- Luxury residence, South Delhi

## FAQ

### Who should own the CCTV plan?

The architect coordinates, but the security consultant signs off on camera locations, coverage and the equipment room.

### How many cameras are 'enough'?

It's coverage-driven, not count-driven. Cover entries, exits, perimeter, vehicle paths and high-value zones — gaps matter more than totals.

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Source: https://arifkhanglobal.com/ask-arif/cctv-planning-guide-for-architects
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