Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we get asked most — from choosing a system to site surveys and project advice, UK CCTV law, ordering, trade accounts, delivery, returns and warranty.
Choosing your system
How much storage do I need for my cameras?
It depends on how many cameras you have, their resolution, and how many days of footage you need to keep. Use our CCTV storage calculator — enter your setup and it recommends a WD Purple or Toshiba drive that fits.
Which HiLook system and cameras should I buy?
Most homes and small businesses do well with HiLook ColorVu 3.0 cameras and a matching PoE NVR — see HiLook ColorVu 3.0 explained and which HiLook NVR do I need for a straight answer based on your camera count. Deciding between camera shapes? See turret vs bullet vs dome.
Is it simple to set up a CCTV or alarm system myself?
Wireless kits are largely plug and play. Wired PoE CCTV and hard-wired alarm panels are more capable and reliable long-term, but running cable and configuring the recorder properly is where most self-installers get stuck — a professional installer is worth it for anything beyond a simple wireless kit. See our technical support and fault-finder page if you get stuck, or ask us to point you to an installer.
Site surveys & project advice
Do you offer a CCTV site survey?
Yes. For commercial and larger installs, send us photos, a sketch or site details and we will help scope camera count, positions, cabling and NVR channels. For domestic and smaller jobs, the same advice is available by phone, email or in the Wolverhampton showroom, at no cost and with no obligation to buy.
How many cameras do I need for my shop, warehouse or home?
It depends on your entrances, blind spots, lighting and what you actually need to see — faces at a till, number plates in a car park, or general activity along a warehouse aisle. That's hard to judge from a product listing alone, so talk to us with a rough idea of the site and we'll suggest a realistic camera count and positions, rather than just selling you the kit with the most cameras in the box.
What should I ask before buying a CCTV or alarm system?
The questions worth working through are: what resolution do you need for the distances involved, how much storage and retention you need, whether you want remote viewing on your phone, what cable runs and PoE power budget the site needs, and whether the job needs a professional installer. We'll talk through all of this with you before you order, whether you're a trade installer or buying for yourself.
Do I have to be a trade customer to get project advice before I buy?
No. Project and technical advice before you buy is available to trade installers and DIY or first-time buyers alike. A trade account unlocks trade pricing, not access to advice — anyone can call, email or visit the showroom for help specifying a system.
CCTV law & privacy in the UK
Is it legal to install CCTV at my home in the UK?
Yes. If your cameras only cover your own property, UK GDPR generally does not apply — this is sometimes called the domestic exemption. The moment a camera captures a neighbour's garden, a shared space, or a public area such as the street, data protection law does apply to you, even as a homeowner.
Can my CCTV camera record my neighbour's garden or a public street?
It can, but the ICO recommends angling cameras to minimise capture of areas outside your own property, using privacy masking or zones where your camera or NVR software supports it, and being upfront with neighbours about what the camera covers. A 2021 court case, Fairhurst v Woodard, is the leading example of how this plays out in a real neighbour dispute over a doorbell camera, and is widely cited in subsequent ICO complaints.
Do I need to put up a CCTV sign?
Signage is a legal requirement for business use and strongly recommended for domestic use, even where it is not strictly mandatory. The ICO advises a clearly visible sign stating that CCTV is in operation, and businesses should also be able to point people to fuller information such as a privacy notice.
How long can I legally keep CCTV footage?
There is no single fixed legal number, but 30 days is the retention period most commonly used in practice unless there is a specific reason to keep footage longer, such as an ongoing investigation. Footage should be deleted once it is no longer needed for the purpose it was recorded for — most HiLook, Hikvision and Dahua recorders can be set to overwrite automatically once storage fills, which is worth setting up correctly from day one.
Does my business need to register with the ICO to use CCTV?
Most businesses using CCTV need to register with the ICO and pay the data protection fee. Homeowners using CCTV purely for domestic purposes normally do not need to register, but data protection law still applies if the camera captures anything beyond their own property.
Ordering & trade accounts
Does Zenith Security Co. install CCTV and alarm systems?
No. We are a supplier with a trade counter and showroom in Wolverhampton, not an installation company. We help you specify the right cameras, recorder and storage before you buy, and we work alongside installers across the West Midlands who fit the equipment we sell — ask us and we can point you towards one.
Do you sell to the public, or trade only?
Both. Anyone can buy in the showroom or online at standard pricing. Installers and trade buyers can also register for a trade account for trade pricing.
Do you offer trade accounts?
Yes. Installers and regular trade buyers can apply for a trade account for trade pricing. You do not need to be NSI or SSAIB approved to apply — that's asked on the form, but it's not a requirement.
Delivery & collection
How quickly will my order be dispatched?
We aim to dispatch orders within 3 working days of payment being received. If we cannot meet that, we will contact you to arrange an alternative date.
Can I collect my order instead of having it delivered?
Yes. Order online and choose collection, or call ahead on 01902 902251, and we will have it ready to collect from our Dudley Road counter in Wolverhampton — often the same day from stock.
Do you deliver outside the UK?
No. We only cover the UK — every order ships from genuine UK stock to a UK address, and we don't deliver internationally. The Wolverhampton showroom and trade counter serve the West Midlands in person, and the full range is available to order online with delivery anywhere in the UK.
Returns & warranty
What is your returns policy?
You have 14 days from receipt to cancel and return an item for a refund, provided it is unused and in its original packaging. Unwanted (not faulty) items returned within that window are subject to a 20% restocking fee, and you are responsible for return postage unless the return is our error. Sale and clearance items cannot be returned. Full details are on our returns and cancellation policy page.
What warranty do your products come with?
Most products carry a manufacturer's warranty, typically 2 to 3 years depending on the brand. Manufacturer warranties are not available on accessories such as cables, power supplies, connectors and monitors. Full warranty terms are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
Showroom & support
Can I visit your showroom?
Yes. Our Wolverhampton showroom has cameras and recorders running live so you can compare models before buying. We are open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm and Saturday 9am–4pm, closed Sunday, at Unit 3, Park View Centre, 243 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton WV2 3JU.
What if something isn't working after I've fitted it?
Our technical support and fault-finder page covers the most common setup issues, or call or email us and the counter team can help.
Brands & stock
Which brands do you stock?
Hikvision, HiLook, Dahua and Uniview for CCTV; Texecom, Pyronix, Honeywell and Visonic for intruder alarms; Paxton for access control; Ubiquiti and Excel for networking and cabling; plus Yale, SPRO and Ring. See the full brand list.
Are you an authorised Hikvision partner?
Yes, we are an authorised Hikvision partner, and separately an approved UK distributor of HiLook by Hikvision. Both mean genuine, UK-spec stock rather than grey imports.