Safety in All Regards: Why You Need a Smoke Detector and Camera

Jon Jones ● Nov 5 ● 14 min read

The Need for a Smoke Detector and Camera System in Organizations

At the very least, organizations need a smoke detector and security camera to keep people as well as property safe. Smoke detectors and security cameras are important in businesses for a number of reasons. First, a smoke detector helps to ensure the safety of employees and customers by providing early warning in the event of a fire. Second, a security camera can help to deter crime and provide evidence in the event that a crime or another incident does occur. Finally, security cameras can help businesses to manage their liability in the event of an accident or incident.

The Importance of A Smoke Detector

Cigarette smoke is one of the most common and pervasive types of indoor air pollutants, and it can have serious health consequences. Thus, indoor smoking restrictions are now the norm in the majority of organizations and facilities in the United States. As such, detection is a critical component of safeguarding health and safety. However, given the increasing use of vaping, normal smoke detectors are not sufficient for detection of all the harmful smoke present in the air. This is because vaporization is significantly less distinct than smoking tobacco or marijuana leaf.

That’s why Verkada is offering a new type of smoke detector – one that is designed to detect cigarette smoke, marijuana, and vapor emissions in addition to particulate matter and other dangerous emissions. Verkada’s SV11 Environmental Sensor is helpful for individuals seeking to protect students or employees and customers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

Verkada for Security Systems: Smoke Detectors and Security Cameras

At Monarch, we will collaborate with you to develop the most suitable security measures for your organization. We’ll work together to create, implement, and manage an advanced, easy-to-use security system with smoke detectors and security camera.

Verkada offers a wide range of security products, including cameras, access control, intrusion
sensors and professional monitoring, environmental sensors, and visitor management. All Verkada
devices integrate with each other and are managed from a single cloud dashboard. Consider the following features of all Verkada devices:

Simple to Use

• Solid-state Storage (SSD): No NVR, DVR, or server is required. This means you pay for what you use – and that’s all. This reduces any extra overhead operations and the associated expenses,
• Regular, Automatic Software Updates: No need to worry about if your devices are working properly or are up-to-date with our Verkada devices.
• Simple Plug-and-Play Install: Just a standard Ethernet cable is required for the cameras to be brought online and fully operational within minutes.
• Accessible Anywhere, Anytime: Access archived or live feed videos on any device or browser

Scalable

• Unlimited Storage on Camera and Cloud: Reduce your organizations’ liability risk with unlimited cloud archiving offered by Verkada cameras.
• Unlimited Users Allowed: You can easily authorize admins access to an unlimited number of users.
• Infinitely Scalable: No matter how large the facility is, we can help you keep everyone on the same page. 

Limitlessly Smart

• AI-Based Video Analytics: Face detection, person of interest detection, and license plate detection are all available.
• Live Alerts: Receive instant alerts in any meaningful event
• Shareable Live Feeds: Share your live feed via SMS. This is useful as you can send it to first responders in case of an emergency for dramatically reduced response time.
• 10-Year Warranty: Rest assured that your money is well protected

Security System with Smoke Detectors and Cameras: The SV11 Smoke Detector

The Verkada SV11 all-in-one environmental sensor can monitor the health and safety of buildings, taking security to a whole other level. The SV11 environmental sensor monitors 8 different aspects of the environment: the total volatile organic compounds (TVOCS), the air quality index (AQI), particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), the temperature and relative humidity, noise levels, vaping, and motion. Overall, the automated situational awareness provided by the SV11 is key in improving safety and security.

The cloud-based sensor instantly connects to the cloud via Ethernet. This makes it easy to scale since there are no servers, databases, or on prem clients to manage. Moreover, since they are cloud-based, sensors are ready to use within minutes. You can then manage the sensors from Verkada’s web-based Command platform. This makes it easy and secure to remotely access on any device, anywhere. Furthermore, sensor security is maintained through continual, automatic firmware updates.

You can purchase the SV11 Environmental Sensor here.

Design and Features of the SV11

The SV11 is unique in not only its ability to monitor the overall environment, but also in its design and features, making it the perfect addition to your security system. Its outer layer is a photochemically stainless steel etch and it is followed by several different sensors that measure and report data. Verkada’s SV11 works by using the onboard sensors to detect changes in the breakdown of chemicals in the air.

Furthermore, the SV11 has many different features that make it one of the most appealing environmental sensors. Consider the following unique attributes:

• Command Platform: Access all sensor data from the Command platform and view it against a timeline to get a full picture of when these events occurred. Compare environmental between any number of sensors or locations.
• Customize Your Dashboard: Determine which exact sensor data you’d like monitored and displayed on your dashboard
• Easy Visualization of Data: Data is easily visualized with color-coded sensor readings and data representations.
• Integration with other Verkada Devices: The SV11 Environmental Sensor is natively integrated with all other Verkada devices.
• Link Sensor-Based Data to Video: Link any sensor with a Verkada camera, correlating video with sensor-based data. 
• Custom Threshold: Configure custom alert thresholds to receive real-time notifications via SMS and email.
• Sensor-Based Alerts: When an anomaly is detected, an alert via SMS or email can be sent to pre-selected individuals as well as security, allowing teams to respond quickly.
• Alert Settings: Customize alerts for your team to cut down on unnecessary notifications during the weekend and after work. Our platform allows each user to set what hours and days of the week that they’d like to receive alerts for sensor-based anomalies.

The Benefits of The SV11 Environmental Sensor

Consider the following advantages of having the SV11 sensor as part of your security system:

Detect Dangerous Environmental Conditions

• Deter harmful behaviors like vaping
• Monitor changes in temperature or humidity to reduce the loss of records or products
• Measure the air quality to ensure healthy air quality for employees and for product control
• Measure VOC emissions to prevent adverse health effects

Remain Safe and Secure 

• Monitor the environment to ensure measurements are in line with state laws and compliances.
• Monitor noise levels that may indicate yelling is happening. This can help different institutions monitor for violence, conflicts, or other issues.
• Monitor the temperature to protect expensive equipment and products.

Maintain Privacy 

• Monitor noise levels without recording audio. This ensures privacy is not compromised

Security System with Smoke Detectors and Cameras: Benefits of Security Cameras

Overall, there are many benefits to having security cameras at your facilities. Consider the following: 

• Deter Theft and Robbery: Cameras help security officials prevent crime such as vandalism, assault, theft, or other malicious behaviors.
• Remote Access: Security and surveillance teams can keep tabs on the facilities from anywhere on any device with security cameras.
• Incident Resolution: Footage captured by surveillance cameras allow security teams and the authorities to quickly investigate crimes if they do occur. Security cameras can help them track any inventory loss. 
• Protection of Staff and Guests: With security cameras, the risk of an incident decreases. This boosts employees’ sense of safety.
• Continuous Monitoring: Security cameras can capture all activity and incidents – even outside of working hours. This ensures that no critical footage is missed or lost.

Security System with Smoke Detectors and Cameras: Verkada Cloud-Based Cameras

Verkada offers technology that is secure and easy to use for users looking for reliable security. The set-up is simple: once a device is installed, it is online and fully operational within just a few minutes.

Other features of our security cameras include the following:

• AI-Based Video Analytics: Face detection and person of interest detection. You can easily receive alerts when a person of interest re-enters your business.
• Smart Filters: Search for specific people, vehicles, and objects without having to spend too much time scrubbing through footage.
• License Plate Recognition: Identify license plates of interest in your parking lot.
• Shareable Live Feeds: Share your live feed via SMS. This is useful as you can send it to first responders in case of an emergency for dramatically reduced response time.
• Time lapse: Watch a day of footage in under 30 seconds with timelapses.
• Floor Plan: Quickly respond to incidents with real-time motion plotting. 

Additionally, Verkada offers security cameras that are thoughtfully designed. The cameras have a durable design, firmware signing, and can detect tampering. Choose the security cameras that fit your needs and ensure safety.

Security System with Smoke Detectors and Cameras: Verkada Options

We offer a variety of options to meet your security needs including: the Verkada Indoor Dome Series, the Verkada Outdoor Dome Series, the Verkada Bullet Series, the Verkada Mini Series, and Verkada Fisheye Series.

Verkada Indoor Dome Series

The Verkada Indoor Dome Camera is designed for indoor, high-traffic areas. It is the perfect general-purpose security camera if you’re looking to expand your security to have both camera and smoke detectors. There are three versions of this camera: CD42, CD52, and C62.

The Verkada Outdoor Dome Series

The Verkada Outdoor Dome Series is both weather- and tamper-resistant.  Its capabilities function well even in areas with limited bandwidth and connectivity. They are perfect for monitoring the parking lot and the exterior of buildings (e.g., to capture key license plates). There are three versions of this camera: CD42-E, CD52-E, and C62-E.

The Verkada Bullet Series

The Verkada Bullet Series is ideal for long range, outdoor surveillance. It is built to withstand harsh environments. The Verkada Bullet camera is available in two lens types: wide angle and telephoto. There are four versions of this camera: CB51-E, CB61-E, CB51-TE, CB61-TE.

The Verkada Mini Series

The Verkada Mini Series offers both flexibility and enhanced resolution for clear footage. The Mini Camera is a compact size that can fit any space, anywhere indoors. There are three versions of this camera: CM41-S, CM41, and CM41-E.

The ​Verkada Fisheye Camera

The ​Verkada Fisheye Camera provides a panoramic view of the entire property – both indoor and outdoor. This camera allows for total surveillance coverage, which is perfect for your advanced security system that has both cameras and smoke detectors.

The Verkada Fisheye Camera (CF81-E) is an ideal security camera for a surveillance system of smoke detectors and security cameras. With the option to switch between circle, ePTZ, 2-view, 3-view, or 4-view modes on the CF81-E, you can do away with the need for multiple camera installations. You can also take advantage of features like digital pan-tilt-zoom to increase coverage and lessen blind spots.

Three different view modes are supported by the CF81-E. You can customize the view mode to meet the requirements of the install location.

• 180° Panoramic: A wide-angle view that is ideal for an open area or a corridor.
• Four-way split: Use a single camera to watch four distinct fields of view.
• Pan-tilt-zoom (ePTZ): Provides a panoramic, all-encompassing view of your environment.

Panoramic

Panoramic is the first view mode of the fisheye camera. The camera will have a 180° horizontal field of view in this mode. The camera can be tilted to adjust the fields of view to your preferences.

Four-Way Split

Four-Way Split is the second mode of the fisheye camera. You can monitor four distinct areas all at the same time using the Four-Way Split mode. It’s especially useful for monitoring an outdoor corner, a hallway intersection, or when replacing multiple cameras with one. Site administrators can adjust the Four-Way Split’s angles to better suit their needs and maximize the fields of view.

Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ)

Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) is the third, adaptable mode of the fisheye camera. You can choose to display the video feed in Pan-Tilt-Zoom as a 360° view, a tiles view with various angles, or by using your digital PTZ functionality to pan, tilt, and zoom around the image.

Continuous Security Monitoring

Remote security monitoring is a process that allows security professionals to keep an eye on your property and assets from afar 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are many benefits of using remote security monitoring. Some benefits includes deterring crime, catching criminals in the act, providing evidence for criminal prosecution, and peace of mind.

• Deter Theft, Vandalism, and Crime: Security systems with remote security monitoring can be an effective deterrent to criminals. If potential criminals are aware that their activities are being actively monitored, their likelihood of committing a crime decreases.
• Identify Criminals in Real-time: Remote security monitoring is an importantl security measure as it can help catch criminals in the act. This type of system provides a proactive approach to security by alerting security personnel to potential risks as they are happening, rather than after the fact.
• Provide Evidence: Remote security monitoring can also provide evidence for prosecution in the event of a crime. This ensures that criminals are apprehended and prosecuted, and it may protect your from a repeat offense.
• Peace of Mind: Remote security monitoring can provide peace of mind for business owners. Knowing that your property has round-the-clock protection in the event of an emergency can help reduce anxiety and stress levels.

Choosing Verkada for Organizational Security

Verkada offers an integrated security platform that protects people and property, ensures quality control, and maximizes operational productivity. At Monarch, we’re here to help you build a security system that works for you and your organization.