The great Chinese thinker Confucius once said that ‘The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied’. It couldn’t be truer. The mirror - a vanity item, a woman’s best friend. The one object in our home which we love to spend time with. Think about the number of hours in a year that we spend in front of a mirror inquiring, observing and admiring what we see. The mirror is an object that gives us a glimpse into our strong points and our limitations alike. A few years ago, some smart person realized that some mirrors if placed in strategic positions, can provide us with almost a 180 degree view of the room. This was how mirrors made their way into the list of security devices. Very soon, they became a permanent fixture in automobiles. Today, it is against the law to drive a vehicle without a rear view mirror attached.
It’s not the ordinary household mirror that we are talking about over here. Safety and security mirrors are strategically designed objects with the sole aim of improving an existing security setup or functioning as a stand alone security device. For example, if a small retail store owner cannot afford a video surveillance system that costs an arm and a leg, but would like to keep an eye on the happenings in his entire store, then he can install a set of convex mirrors at key locations in his store. These mirrors can then be used to watch the entire store from right behind his desk. It is cost effective and efficient as well. Also, unlike some of the other security devices that have their own set of limitations when it comes to outdoor installations, you can install a set of mirrors anywhere. Be it a parking lot or a patio, a mirror can function without any hassles.
Types of safety mirrors
The safety and security mirror industry has made great advancements in the last decade or so and the quality of the products have also improved by leaps and bounds. The safety mirror that you choose depends on the kind of visibility you are looking for and your budget. Today, you can choose from mirrors made of polycarbonate, acrylic, glass as well as stainless steel. Let us look at some of the different types of security mirrors.
Convex Mirror
The convex mirror is a mirror with a curved surface bulging outwards. It is also called as a fish eye mirror or a diverging mirror and has a reflective surface that bulges towards the source of light. These mirrors reflect light outwards and hence are never used to focus light. The image formed is always virtual, upright and diminished and hence, can never be captured on screen. In simpler terms, it means that any object will appear distant and smaller in a convex mirror. Have you seen a warning printed on the passenger side mirror of a vehicle? These mirrors are convex mirrors and in some countries carry a printed warning label that says, ‘Objects in mirror are closer than they appear’. But this very feature enables it to cover a wider area than a normal mirror.
A convex mirror has myriad uses and the most important and obvious is the use as a security device. Vehicles are not the only place where you will find convex mirrors. They are also used in ATM machines as they enable the user to see what is happening in the back. Is someone peeping over their shoulders to see the password? In case you still haven’t noticed, then please check it the next time you reach the ATM. Convex mirrors come in different sizes, shapes and types. Let us look at some of them.
- The circular convex mirror is the commonest of them all. It is used for general wide angle viewing and provides a 160 degree view of the place. These are normally used in ATM kiosks.
- The roundtangular mirror is a combination of a round and a rectangular mirror. It is shaped like a rectangle but has round edges. Hence the name, roundtangular. These mirrors are generally used in low ceilings and give a 160 degree view of the room. The ideal mounting height for a roundtangular mirror is about 8 to 10 feet.
- Last but not the least, we have the rectangular mirror. These are pretty similar to the above two, except for the fact that they are shaped like a rectangle.
Dome Mirrors
Built after the popular dome shaped camera, the dome mirror is an extremely versatile security device that can provide users with a 360 degree view if mounted at the right position. They are normally mounted on ceilings in corners, intersections and entrances. Ordinary convex mirrors are prone to vandal attacks if installed in visible areas. The dome mirror on the other hand can be installed discreetly. It is preferred over other types of security mirrors for outdoor installations as it provides a wider viewing area. However, the objects usually appear much smaller in the dome mirror than in other types of mirrors. Hence, it is crucial that you be well aware of the actual distance of the object from you while using a dome mirror. There are several types of dome mirrors which include a full dome, a quarter dome and a half dome mirror.
- The quarter dome as the name suggests is only a quarter of a full dome. In other words, it is like a quarter of a circle. This makes it extremely difficult to sight when used in corners. It provides a 90 degree view and works well in corners.
- The half dome on the other hand is like a semi circle and works well in 3 way intersections. They are used to prevent accidents or collisions at blind corners. The half dome can provide a widest viewing area of almost 180 degrees.
Specialty Mirrors
Specialty mirrors are special purpose mirrors that can be installed at myriad places and have special uses. While ordinary security mirrors are great security devices, they have their limitations. At times, a dual purpose security device is the need of the hour and this is where specialty mirrors come in. Almost any custom designed mirror can be called a specialty mirror. For example, if you have a remote desk corner that cannot use ordinary mirrors and you have custom created a 3 inch mirror for that very space, then that 3 inch mirror can be called a specialty mirror. Let us look at some specialty mirrors.
- The Drop in Dome mirror is a kind of specialty mirror that converts the ordinary dome mirror into a smoked surveillance device. The drop in dome is a full dome mirror with smoked glass that is commonly used to conceal a CCTV camera within it. Since CCTV cameras are frequently vandalized, using it within a drop in dome is a great way to secure your place as well as save the camera from potential vandals. Sleek looking, easy to install and giving a 360 degree view, the drop in dome is a security managers dream come true. Advanced models of the drop in dome camera have a backing light shield that prevents the camera within from showing even if light falls on the dome. Whether you need a smoked dome or a normal acrylic dome depends on you.
- The adjustable convex mirror can be mounted just about anywhere from an elevator to a desktop computer. Yes, if you would like to know what is happening behind you while you are in office, then the desktop convex mirror is the best way to find that out. You wont get startled again when someone walks up to you at your workplace. It has a fully adjustable acrylic lens that pivots a complete 360 degrees allowing you to adjust your line of sight. And it has a self stick adhesive that allows you to stick it on any surface.
- For shops and homes that have a really high ceiling, there is the option of using a pendant dome. The pendant dome is one again an extension of the drop in dome. It can be used to conceal a camera and some models have a designated camera viewing area. The smoked glass and backlight prevention lets you use it without the camera as well. Users who want to create an impression of a concealed camera without investing in one can always opt for the pendant dummy dome which looks like it has a concealed camera within it.
- The shatter proof mirror is ideal for outdoor installations as it can withstand severe blows and thwart vandalizing attempts. Shatter proof mirrors are made of high quality mirrored acrylic and are extremely light weight which make them easy to install as well.
- The hand held inspection mirrors are used for inspecting vehicles. They can be used for inspecting the top of trailers, trucks which are otherwise impossible to reach and see. They can also be adjusted to look under or around vehicles as well. Models which are used for viewing under the vehicles have caster wheels attached to them which facilitate easy maneuvering. Handheld inspection mirrors have a mirror at the end of an adjustable handle made of anodized aluminum. The handles extend from a mere 4 feet to a maximum length of 13 feet. Both the mirror as well as the handle is made of extremely light weight materials that reduce the entire weight of the device below 5lbs. Advanced models have a flashlight attached to it which lets you see even in the dark.Â
