The car wash industry is estimated to be worth $16 billion dollars in the U.S., and is expected to grow by 5.7% by 2030. Car washes are susceptible to a wide range of security challenges – vehicle damage, slips and falls due to the wet environment, theft, vandalism and fraudulent damage claims.
A comprehensive and robust security solution that can tackle a wide assortment of risks is the first line of defense for a car wash. However, the car wash industry is highly fragmented. This means new and emerging car wash chains that have grown through acquisitions contend with disparate and sometimes outdated security solutions across locations.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse security solutions available for securing car washes and how they can come together to offer advanced security to proactively mitigate risks.
Overview of Car Wash Security Solutions
Security Cameras
Installing security cameras provides a strong foundation for a car wash security system. Clear footage can significantly improve the ability to investigate incidents such as vehicle damage, theft, or fraudulent claims. Moreover, visible security cameras also serve as a visual deterrent, reducing the likelihood of vandalism and theft before they even occur.
Since car washes often use harsh chemicals, it is best to utilize a camera that is in a stainless steel enclosure to withstand the constant barrage of chemicals that the devices are subjected to. Another thing to look at is the Ingress Protection (IP) rating. Cameras with IP6K9K rating can withstand high-pressure washes and corrosive chemicals found in car washes.
A more budget-friendly option would consist of a fully sealed camera, such as a Turret or Flat-Lens camera. Utilizing outdoor housings and additional sealants such as silicone caulking can keep the liquids and chemicals from the wash tunnel from degrading the camera.
Intrusion Alarm
An intrusion alarm system is designed to detect and alert operators to unauthorized entry or suspicious activity, and utilizes motion detectors, door/window sensors, glass-break sensors, vibration sensors, and panic buttons or key fobs that can trigger immediate alerts if a breach is detected. Advanced intrusion alarm systems incorporate cloud-based platforms that allow for virtual management and accessibility of the system to manage arm/disarm alarms, notifications, alerts, user management, reporting and more.
In high-traffic public environments like car washes, visible intrusion alarm sensors can also act as a deterrent for vandals or burglars.
Video-Verified Alarm
Video verification in an alarm event can provide car washes with a more advanced alarm solution by reducing false alarms and improving emergency response times. By integrating live camera feeds and remote security specialists, each event can be confirmed to be genuine or accidental.
Common causes of false alarms at car washes – such as wind, signage shifts, and sensor misalignments – can lead to costly fines and delay in police response time. Video verification also reduces the risk and workload of employees; improving operational efficiency and peace of mind.
Interactive Remote Video Monitoring
Remote Video Monitoring can bring 24/7 security to car wash locations by connecting them to trained remote security specialists who monitor the property via security cameras, microphones, and speakers. With remote monitoring, virtual security guards are able to provide a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the car wash, allowing for live assessments and response to incidents without the need of onsite personnel. The utilization of these remote intervention specialists enables real-time responses to security threats, compliance issues, and even allows for interaction with employees and trespassers.
Anti-Collision Camera System
Anti-collision systems for car washes are designed to prevent in-tunnel accidents by detecting and managing vehicle spacing and movement throughout the wash process. Traditional solutions typically include exit sensory or in-tunnel progress pads that stop the conveyor if they detect a potential collision risk. However, these systems often encounter issues such as sensor misalignments or false positives that can lead to unnecessary downtimes and accidents.
Modern anti-collision solutions integrate with camera systems to monitor and analyze vehicles in real-time from entry to exit. This approach utilizes advanced computer vision technology to track each vehicle’s precise location as it makes its way through the tunnel and can instantly detect potential hazards and pause the conveyor to prevent collisions. Anti-collision softwares not only prevent accidents, but can detect the tunnel’s performance and show areas for improving speed of service, resource usage and bottlenecks.
Intelligent Voice-Down
Intelligent Voice-Down (IVD) solutions can provide car washes with a proactive approach to security by detecting potential threats and responding instantly with customized voice announcements, lights and sounds. This technology utilizes AI-enabled cameras that can spot people or vehicles accurately, allowing for detection and response to break-ins, loitering, vandalism and unauthorized parking.
For car washes, IVD addresses common challenges around monitoring external areas such as entry/exit points, loading zones, or parking areas. By issuing immediate warnings, the system discourages unwanted activity, preventing potential security incidents and protects assets and staff.
Video Management Systems
Video Management Systems (VMS) give car wash businesses a centralized way to control and oversee their surveillance footage. This makes it much easier to find and review videos of specific security incidents, like theft or vandalism. With just a few clicks, operators can access high-quality video clips and share them with law enforcement, helping to speed up investigations and ensure timely responses. When integrated with other equipment like intrusion alarms and access control systems, VMS simplifies incident management across multiple locations.
Another great advantage of VMS is remote accessibility. Managers can view live or recorded footage on web browsers or mobile devices, allowing them to respond quickly no matter where they are.
Video Analytics for Car Washes
Utilizing advanced machine learning and AI, video analytics solutions can convert security cameras into powerful tools for car washes to analyze and discover not only security concerns but detect improvements for customer service and location operation. Integration to the POS along with existing cameras can also aid in loss prevention efforts by flagging suspicious transactions such as coupon frauds, price overrides, and highlighting security loopholes.
For business intelligence, video analytics also offers car washes features like car and tunnel counting, line abandonment detection, and license plate recognition, and can provide data to help optimize vehicle flow, minimize wait times, and improve customer service. Video analytics can also have a significant impact in reducing environmental damages and optimizing operating costs by monitoring water or electricity usage, and the consumption of cleaning supplies
Implementing Security Solutions at a Car Wash
Car wash locations face a range of unique security challenges that vary based on the specific type of services they offer and the overall risk profile of the area. A high-traffic, full-service car wash in an urban center could encounter issues like theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access whereas a self-services location in a quieter, suburban area might be more vulnerable to equipment tampering and loitering. Each location’s service offerings and environment will ultimately determine the type of security measures that are necessary to protect customers, staff and assets.
To address these challenges, car wash security and asset protections teams should prioritize three essential security objectives.
- Safeguard assets such as cash, equipment, and customer vehicles to reduce loss.
- Uncover fraudulent insurance claims by providing clear footage and documentation in cases of alleged vehicle damage or injury.
- Ensure the safety of customers and employees by creating a more secure environment that minimizes the risks associated with theft, harassment, accidents, and other potential hazards.
By aligning security strategies with these objectives, car washes can create safer, more efficient, and customer-friendly environments.
1. Perimeter of the Tunnel - Entry & Exit
Security at a car wash entry and exit points is crucial due to the high risk of theft, vandalism, and fraudulent claims, which are heightened by high traffic and public access. Effective monitoring of the perimeter of the car wash tunnel for accidents, pile-ups, equipment damage, and accessing footage for insurance claims is critical.
2. Inside the Tunnel
Inside the car wash tunnel, security is focused mainly on customer vehicles, heavy machinery & equipment, and limiting access to the public. Risks include accidental vehicle damage, equipment malfunctions, tampering and vandalism (especially after hours).
3. Waiting Areas
The waiting areas of a car wash present a unique security concern due to its role as more of a public-facing space. Risks include petty theft, vandalism, loitering, and customer harassment.
4. Cashier/POS
The cashier or POS system of a car wash can be housed either inside or outside depending on the business model, but the threats remain the same in either case. Transactions pose significant security risks not only from the public but internally as well and threats of theft and burglary create safety concerns for employees and customers alike.
5. Self-Service Areas
Possibly the areas most vulnerable to security and safety concerns are the self-service or parking lot areas surrounding a car wash. In these areas, where customers can interact with equipment alone, there is a heightened risk of vandalism, equipment tampering and theft. Customer safety is also a concern as they are vulnerable to harassment, or theft.
