The market for IP-based video surveillance is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.2 percent from 2013 to 2019, according to a 2014 report from Transparency Market Research. IP cameras, which run on a broadband network as opposed to a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, provide remote management capabilities, offsite storage, and quality, high-definition (HD) footage to businesses of all types.

For example, retailers use them for point-of-sale (POS) transaction monitoring to pinpoint cashier theft, refund fraud and other suspicious activities. Some daycares and schools provide parents real-time viewing of their children via remote monitoring capabilities. And public spaces, like parks and playgrounds, deploy IP cameras to stop violence and property vandalism. The cross-industry applications are endless.

Car Washes Are Not an Exception

Car washes are highly susceptible to theft, vandalism and liability issues. Stories abound of ransacked coin and vending machines, damaged equipment and property, and dissatisfied customers. They seem to escalate even further in the self-service market, where staff is not physically onsite to monitor and manage the property.

IP video surveillance could be the answer to thwart hostile activities or serve as evidence if an issue arises. With video housed online, car wash operators are able to access live and archived footage from their laptops, personal computers (PCs) and smartphones via web browser or mobile app. Footage from multiple facilities can even be consolidated into one central view, if managing more than one site, or paired with mobile phone push notifications for real-time awareness of threats.

The benefits extend into video storage, too. Unlike CCTV options, in which digital video recorders (DVRs) are stored onsite, an IP-based system offers the ability to store video in the cloud. As a result, the video is always there. Operators do not need to worry about the DVR getting stolen, vandalized or broken, and the video disappearing with the device. They just need to ensure that their networks are secured via a router firewall and strong password maintenance. (It is recommended that video system usernames and passwords are updated every 90 days.) For standard cloud-based systems, video is available for seven days with options to increase this limit, if needed.

Plus, cloud-based systems are redundant: Cameras are equipped with secure digital (SD) cards or onsite network attached storage (NAS) to house footage in addition to the cloud. This means that video won’t be lost if there’s a disruption in Internet connectivity. Local storage is typically at one’s disposal for seven to 30 days.

IP systems are also smart. Live notifications can be configured to alert car wash operators via smartphone of suspiscious activities during off-business hours, or of system health — for example, if the power goes down, systems go offline, or cameras are damaged.

“CCTV box recorders aren’t set up that way,” said Shawn Kane, commercial sales manager, Vector Security. “With them, there’s no reassurance that cameras are working unless you attempt to play something back. As a result, operators may not even realize a system is down until it’s too late. A self-monitored system, on the other hand, keeps end users in touch with their property and aware of health issues in real time.”

The Risks of DIY Installation

Security system self-installation is common for car washes, but this practice often introduces risks. Systems bought from wholesale and retail shops typically have light warranties (for example, most are one-year limited), offer little-to-no ongoing support, and require do-it-yourself installation.

Proper camera selection and installation requires experience. “We see a lot of mistakes in self-installed systems, including improper wiring, wrong lens or camera used, sloppy camera placement and incorrect NVR/DVR set up,” said Kane. “Something as simple as forgetting to set the timestamp on the NVR/DVR means that your video may not be admissible by law if an incident occurs.”

When selecting security cameras, weather rating and lens type are important criteria. Since car washes face a lot of humidity and water, weather-resistant IP 66 rated cameras are recommended. These outdoor cameras are built to withstand heavy water exposure without harm. Lens type is contingent on the distance to the area being viewed and the height the camera is mounted. Professional installers use special calculators to determine the most appropriate lens for the situation.

Camera System Design

For cloud-based installations, there is a limit of ten cameras per system. However, conventional IP allows for unlimited cameras, as long as the network is configured properly and enough bandwidth is available. Bandwidth requirements depend on how frequently recordings will be live streamed and reviewed. For four to eight cameras, 50 megabits per second (MBPS) for download and 15 MBPS for upload is sufficient.

Cameras should be strategically placed to capture high-risk areas. For instance, car wash operators should monitor where the transaction occurs, whether at a register or kiosk. For managed sites, tie cameras into POS systems to pair video footage with transaction data from the register. Some systems can even flag suspicious transactions and refunds made by employees for management review — helping stop internal theft. According to Connected World, Dunkin Donuts saw “savings between 2 to 13 percent of sales” by integrating cameras with POS systems.

If product is stored onsite (polishes, car fragrances) or other amenities are available (vacuums, air pumps, pressure sprayers), set up cameras to view those areas.

Finally, place cameras inside the car wash itself. Car washes can be liable for scratches or dents on cars that occur on their premise, and camera footage can help prove the party at fault. “A properly placed camera can tell you if someone put their car into drive by accident within your car wash or whether the damage occurred due to faulty equipment — helping determine whether the driver or operator was negligent,” said Kane.

For added benefit, link cameras to access control and security systems to capture video documentation whenever a credential is used to access a door or a system is disarmed.

Camera and System Maintenance

Water, weather and debris can cause camera domes (the transparent casing around the camera) to get dirty over time. And HD and infrared cameras will emphasize this grime, making footage blurry. At least quarterly, cameras should be cleaned with a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleaning agent and re-focused to ensure optimal video quality and image usability. Not cleaning cameras is like driving down a rainy road without windshield wipers — the visibility just won’t be there.

Lens correction is typically a two-person job as IP HD cameras are sensitive. Depending on the installation vendor, maintenance services may be available, in which trained professionals will guarantee that lens are properly calculated and cameras are in top working condition. Kane recommends asking your provider about these options.

The good news is that IP cameras do not require firmware updates, like their CCTV counterparts, since they are automatically pushed out to the system.

If properly installed and maintained, IP video surveillance provides the security car wash operators need to profitably run their businesses with the convenience of remote monitoring and event-based alerts.