Designing and Building High-Security Self-Service Carwashes

Published in November 2006 AutoLaundry News

Self-service car washes are regularly constructed at sites that require secure and vandal-resistant designs. Self-service car washes in lower income areas are known to be reliable profit centers; at the same time they are known for higher crime rates. Building a profitable car wash on these sites requires planning and implementation of defensive security systems.

Building Security

By following a few simple rules during the construction phase, the vulnerability of the customer, facility and the operator may be reduced. Although some precautions may seem obvious, a checklist will insure proper equipment placement and construction techniques.

Customer security is important for a successful facility. Be attentive to customer security. Car washes with maximum visibility provide a feeling of well-being, while security systems and lighting reinforce this level of comfort. Customers sense their personal safety. Provide a safe business environment to encourage return visits and reduce criminal exposure.

Visibility and Lighting

Maximize visibility from the street for bay meters, vacuum cleaners and customer safety. Good lighting for the car wash increases visibility and makes the facility more attractive. Eliminate signs, buildings and foliage that create blind spots and dark corners. High traffic visibility deters crime and break-in. By reducing the ability of criminal concealment, the safety of the facility and the customer is increased. Discourage loitering with police participation and signs.

Concrete

Concrete is an imposing deterrent. Build concrete columns to encase the coin receptacles for restricted access and improved security. Remote coin storage and solid locking mechanisms serve to discourage unlawful entry attempts.

Unlawful entrance into the equipment room for burglary may be attempted from all directions. By using concrete walls, floor and ceiling in the equipment room break-in exposure is limited.

Use parking lot bollards and curbs to protect the equipment room, bay meter columns, and vacuums from accidental and intentional damage and entry.

Component Protection

By engraving the car wash name or color-coding small components, theft of components may be reduced. Shrink tape or glue may be applied to vacuum nozzles, while bolts and locks restrict access to vacuum debris doors to reduce theft.

Security Alarms and Cameras

Protecting the building and equipment from vandalism may be as simple as installing an alarm or video surveillance. Alarms should be installed to protect the equipment and equipment room from unlawful entry. Security cameras should be installed and adjusted to view both the front and the rear of the vehicles in the bay. Additional cameras may be mounted to view bay meters, vacuums, vendors and changers.

Choosing between a wired system and a wireless system may be determined by accessibility. In areas of the business not accessible by conduit, a wireless camera system may easier to connect. Self-maintained security systems may be adequate for some locations, while local security company’s support may prove to be valuable.

Bay Meters

The bay meter is most often considered when designing high-security. The bay meter is where the money is inserted to start the equipment; therefore, it is also targeted for break-in and vandalism. Meter boxes should be built into the structure (not surface-mounted) so they are more difficult to compromise.

Bay meter security must be considered for safety, but keep in mind aesthetics. Heavy duty stainless steel boxes and doors offer component protection while providing an attractive “point-of-sale”. Decals with bright colors make even dull boxes appealing.

Coin Receptacles

Coins inserted into the meter generally are secured in an attached drawer, a remotely mounted vault or vacuumed back into a secured equipment room.

⯁ Coin Drawer or Door

Coins drawers or doors are attached to the meter box allowing the inserted coins to drop into a secured receptacle. The best locking mechanisms have limited access for drilling, cutting and prying; offering a first line of defensive security.

⯁ Coin Vault

Coin vaults are remotely mounted in the wall, column or floor to further increase security of the coins from illegal access. Vaults, like drawers typically require periodic access in the bay for coin collection. The negative result is that the car wash operator is exposed to robbery when collecting coins from the bay.

⯁ Coin Vacuum

A solution to the operator vulnerability problem is a system that vacuums the coins back into a wall-mounted vault in the equipment room. The central collection point is secure and makes coin collection fast and simple. However, the coins this system may periodically stop in the vacuum tubing and must be cleared for proper operation. Current systems do not vacuum bills that have been accepted in the bay.

Bill Acceptance

The principal benefit of bill acceptance is that it speeds vending by reducing the time wasted in the bay before and during purchases. By accepting currency to initiate the bay, less time is spent changing bills. Bill validators in the bay meter should be used in high-traffic areas with lower vandalism rates since exposure is increased.

Token Acceptance

Tokens were initially introduced for facility promotion, increase customer loyalty and pre-selling services. Tokens provide many benefits that include: brand recognition, improved customer security, non-cash refunds and sales, and deterring break-ins.

Minting tokens with the facility name and logo requires ordering larger quantities but builds brand recognition and familiarity. Site specific tokens encourage brand loyalty by promoting return visits to utilize leftover tokens.

Tokens have no cash value and are less attractive for theft. However, “Token Only” acceptance may have a harmful impact when customers have leftover or lost tokens. Customers are irritated when they perceive an unfair value. When tokens are used in conjunction with coins, some of this negativism may be reduced, but also increases the likelihood of intrusion.

Credit Card Acceptance

Credit card options are numerous. In-bay acceptors are the most convenient, but changers that dispense tokens are the best value. Bay acceptance allows for continuous operation without interruption, maximizing ease of payment. A credit card to token changer is typically mounted on the equipment room, compelling customers to travel to the changer for tokens. Purchasing credit card acceptors, software and telephone modem connection is expensive but eliminates the attraction of cash on the premises.

Safety First

Security features may be implemented into the construction of the car wash to reduce exposure of customers using the facility and the operator from possible theft while collecting money. Visibility and alarms will serve to discourage criminals, while wellbuilt, sturdy appliances hinder break-in attempts.

Common sense should dictate the best and safest means of money collection. Do not open money receptacles alone, at night or with a group of loiterers watching your activities. If you do not feel secure, leave the car wash and return at a different time. Operator security is far more important than the facility or revenue.

The most important rule is to protect your customer and yourself. The protection of your revenue is secondary. Your car wash must remain attractive while be built for security.