How to Design a Security Camera System for a Parking Garage

In this example, we showcase two security camera systems with slightly different objectives. One that focuses on a free parking garage for an apartment complex and one that is a paid parking garage with payment kiosks. The first example only has to worry about vandalism of the vehicles and securing the entrances to the elevator and maintenance areas, while the second version has to worry about theft and vandalism to the payment kiosks as well as getting the license plates of cars entering and leaving.

Scenario 1 - security cameras for a free parking garage in an apartment complex

parking garage security cameras

Explanation

Goals: The goal of this surveillance system is to reduce theft of and vandalism to the cars parked in a parking lot for the tenants of an apartment complex. Parking is free and included in rent in this scenario, so they are no payment kiosks or parking attendants. There is also the concern about unwanted access to maintenance closets and the elevator / lobby area of the apartment complex.

The Green cones are the line of sight for our most commonly used camera: the Warrior 2.0. You will have a clear enough picture with these cameras to be able to ID someone at 50 feet, because they shoot in 1080P at 30 pictures per second and a 85 degree angle of view.

The Red cones are the line of sight for our second most commonly used camera: the Deputy 2.0. You will have a clear enough picture with these cameras to be able to ID someone at 40 feet, because they shoot in 1080P at 30 pictures per second and a 110 degree angle of view.

The Yellow cone is for our Knight low light camera. This camera has an adjustable lenses that can have up to 4x optical zoom and an internal PIR sensor which can turn on a full spectrum, natural white light, so that you get high quality color photos in the best lighting situation. It is placed specifically at in the maintenance sheds and has an alert scheduled for the house when maintenance staff and not working, to alert the apartment staff if there is a break-in. The Knight is a more expensive camera than many of our models, and is best used in areas where access is limited to certain hours. The white light motion light can scare off would-be thieves.

The Orange cone is for our Informant 4.0 camera. This camera has a 101 degree view and was specifically selected because it can record audio. It is important when you record audio to post proper signage about the audio recording as to not break the Federal Wiretap Act. We want to record audio in this area to enable our Audio Detection Analytics which can trigger Snapshot if volume exceeds a threshold or suddenly changes. These alert can tell your apartment complex security guards when tenants might be being rowdy and disturbing others, or if an unauthorized person is attempting to enter the building and someone is screaming. Snapshot can either send an email alert / FTP transfer of images when audio changes, lines are crossed, people are loitering, intrusion into an unauthorized area, and many other events.

Scenario 2 - security cameras for a pay-be-the-hour parking garage with payment kiosks

parking garage with payment kiosks security cameras

Explanation

Goals: The goal of this surveillance system is to monitor access to a pay-by-the-hour parking lot. There is a minor objective in reducing theft of and vandalism to the cars parked in the lot, but this objective is not as important as making sure that only paying customers enter the area, in this scenario. Special attention is made to the payment kiosks / parking attendant areas. There's also an objective in determining what car was at fault in case of an accident.

The Green cones are the line of sight for our most commonly used camera: the Warrior 2.0. You will have a clear enough picture with these cameras to be able to ID someone at 50 feet, because they shoot in 1080P at 30 pictures per second and a 85 degree angle of view.

The Red cones are the line of sight for our second most commonly used camera: the Deputy 2.0. You will have a clear enough picture with these cameras to be able to ID someone at 40 feet, because they shoot in 1080P at 30 pictures per second and a 110 degree angle of view.

The Yellow cone is for our Knight low light camera. This camera has an adjustable lenses that can have up to 4x optical zoom and an internal PIR sensor which can turn on a full spectrum, natural white light, so that you get high quality color photos in the best lighting situation. It is placed specifically at the parking payment kiosk / attendant locations to get a great photo of the incoming and outgoing vehicle's license plates. Just like with a point-and-shoot camera, when you zoom in on an area, your field-of-view narrows. With 4x optical zoom, you will have a 30 degree view and will be able to ID someone at 100 feet.*

One of the reasons that we are utilizing this Knight camera in this location is because typical infrared night vision can be a liability for capturing license plates at night since both licence plates and infrared light are highly reflective. We have a related guide on capturing licenses plates that explains these concepts and this decision, and you may want to read it.

The tan color (the stairwell) was not included as part of the lease for the parking garage and thus did not need to be covered.


Want us to create a custom floorplan for your parking garage?


The Warrior 2.0 - 26BF2



Resolution

1080p HD

1080P @ 30 FPS; 1920 × 1080

Detect: 100 ft
Recognize: 50 ft
Identify: 25 ft


Processing Power and Compression: Not All 1080P Cameras are Created Equal


Weather

weatherproof

IP67
Full protection from dust, rain, snow, dew, frost, and sprinklers.

You can even submerge it for a few minutes.


Temp

temperature rating

Temperature rated from -31°F to 140 °F

Humidity rated between 10 and 95%.


Lens

fixed lens

Fixed: 4mm
85° of coverage

Digital Zoom Only

Learn about Digital vs Optical Zoom


Day/Night

night footage

Infrared night vision up to 100 FT

Larger image sensor for low light

Color video possible until 0.02 lux

How to get the best footage at night


Special

special features

Digital Wide Dynamic Range

Seeing in shadows: Understanding WDR

The Warrior is our most popular camera model. It is tied with the Deputy in terms of how easy it is to install and position, since neither camera requires you to remove any part of the camera to screw it into the wall/ceiling/soffit. This makes it ideal for outdoor use as you don't have a tendency to trap moisture in the lens, as is common with dome cameras, where you have to remove the outer glass dome to mount them. The 81 degree lens is great balance between covering a large area and identifying faces and license plates. Although you can use this camera inside or out, the most common use of the Warrior models (the camera comes in 2MP, 4MP, or 8MP) is to cover the side of buildings or large sections of yards.

Sample Photos taken by the Warrior 2.0. Click to enlarge the images. Press ESC key to close.

10 FT 20 FT 50 FT 75 FT 100 FT
view at 10 feet from a 4mm 85 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 20 feet from a 4mm 85 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 50 feet from a 4mm 85 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 75 feet from a 4mm 85 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 100 feet from a 4mm 85 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera

detection

Detect someone up to 100 feet

"Detecting" a face means being able to tell that a human face is in the picture.

recognize

Recognize someone up to 50 feet

"Recognizing" a face refers to being able to say "I have seen that person before" - even if you don't know or can't place who it is.

identify

Identify someone up to 25 feet

"Identification" refers to being able to make out identifiable marks with enough certainty to make a sketch or claim.


The Deputy 2.0 - 26DF2



Resolution

1080p HD

1080P @ 30 FPS; 1920 × 1080

Detect: 75 ft
Recognize: 40 ft
Identify: 20 ft


Processing Power and Compression: Not All 1080P Cameras are Created Equal


Indoor/Outdoor

weatherproof

IP67
Full protection from dust, rain, snow, dew, frost, and sprinklers.

You can even submerge it for a few minutes.


Temp

temperature rating

Temperature rated from -31°F to 140 °F

Humidity rated between 10 and 95%.


Lens

fixed lens

Fixed: 2.8mm
110° of coverage

Digital Zoom Only

Learn about Digital vs Optical Zoom


Day/Night

night footage

Infrared night vision up to 100 FT

Color video possible until 0.02 lux

How to get the best footage at night


Special

special features

Digital Wide Dynamic Range

Seeing in shadows: Understanding WDR

The Deputy is our second most popular camera model. It is tied with the Warrior in terms of how easy it is to install and position, since neither camera requires you to remove any part of the camera to screw it into the wall/ceiling/soffit. This makes it ideal for outdoor use as you don't have a tendency to trap moisture in the lens, as is common with dome cameras, where you have to remove the outer glass dome to mount them. The 110 or 118 degree lens is best used to cover an entire room at once (by installing it in a corner) or to cover a wide area of a smaller yard, as wider lenses always decrease how far away you can identify a person of license plate. Although you can use this camera inside or out, the most common uses of the Deputy models (the camera comes in 2MP, 4MP, or 4K variants) are to install the camera in the corner of a room or to cover front doors and porches outdoors. Two Deputies are often installed back to back to make a 220-236 degree view, such as in the middle of a wall. (This two camera solution has less of that dizzying "fisheye" look that is common with 180 degree cameras and is also usually cheaper.)

Sample Photos taken by the Deputy 2.0. Click to enlarge the images. Press ESC key to close.

10 FT 20 FT 50 FT 75 FT 100 FT
view at 10 feet from a 2.8mm 110 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 20 feet from a 2.8mm 110 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 50 feet from a 2.8mm 110 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 75 feet from a 2.8mm 110 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 100 feet from a 2.8mm 110 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera

detection

Detect someone up to 75 feet

"Detecting" a face means being able to tell that a human face is in the picture.

recognize

Recognize someone up to 40 feet

"Recognizing" a face refers to being able to say "I have seen that person before" - even if you don't know or can't place who it is.

identify

Identify someone up to 20 feet

"Identification" refers to being able to make out identifiable marks with enough certainty to make a sketch or claim.

The Informant 4.0 - 26DF4-A



Resolution

4MP UHD Quality

4MP @ 25 FPS: 2560 x 1440

Detect: 115 ft
Recognize: 50 ft
Identify: 35 ft


4MP vs 4K


Weather

weatherproof

IP66
Full protection from dust, rain, snow, dew, frost, and sprinklers.

You can even wash them off with a hose.


Temp

temperature rating

Temperature rated from -31°F to 140 °F

Humidity rated between 10 and 95%.


Lens

fixed lens

Fixed: 2.8mm
101° of coverage

Digital Zoom Only

Learn about Digital vs Optical Zoom


Day/Night

night footage

Infrared night vision up to 50 FT

Color video possible until 0.02 lux

How to get the best footage at night


Special

special features

Integrated Microphone

True Wide Dynamic Range (120dB)

Seeing in shadows: Understanding WDR

The Informant is a smaller version of our Sheriff model that also has an integrated microphone for audio surveillance It should be able to pick up a normal speaking voice at 15 feet. It has an 1K10 vandal proof glass dome surrounding the lens. Glass domes are iconic and what people usually think of with a security camera, but the glass has benefits and drawbacks. Despite our logo being a glass dome camera shape, most of our models don't have them anymore because they aren't that DIY friendly. To install most glass dome cameras, you have to remove the outer dome to reveal the mounting screws and then screw the dome back on after mounting the camera. In more humid areas, this can trap moisture inside the camera; for this reason, most glass dome cameras are installed indoors. The Informant comes with some silicon moisture absorbing beads to help combat this issue (please don't remove them). Glass domes are sometimes used outdoors especially in situations like college campuses or apartment complexes where "non-destructive vandalism," such as turning the camera away from its intended target, is common. Glass domes do not hide which way the camera is pointed. IK10 is the highest measurement rating for protection from physical damage for security camera products, so it should protect against some destructive vandalism as well. Unlike recording video, recording audio is heavily regulated. It is very important when recording audio to follow the rules and regulations set out in the Federal Wiretap Act; because of this law, the microphone's default setting is "off." If you want to turn the microphone on, we will gladly help you, but you should make sure you are complying with the law before doing so.

Sample Photos taken by the Informant 4.0. Click to enlarge the images. Press ESC key to close.

10 FT 20 FT 50 FT 75 FT 100 FT
view at 10 feet from a 2.8mm 101 degree FOV lens  4MP security camera view at 20 feet from a 2.8mm 101 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera view at 50 feet from a 2.8mm 101 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera view at 75 feet from a 2.8mm 101 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera view at 100 feet from a 2.8mm 101 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera

detection

Detect someone up to 115 feet

"Detecting" a face means being able to tell that a human face is in the picture.

recognize

Recognize someone up to 50 feet

"Recognizing" a face refers to being able to say "I have seen that person before" - even if you don't know or can't place who it is.

identify

Identify someone up to 35 feet

"Identification" refers to being able to make out identifiable marks with enough certainty to make a sketch or claim.

The Knight 2.0 - 26BV2-W



Resolution

1080p HD

1080P @ 30 FPS; 1920 × 1080

Detect: up to 125 ft
Recognize: up to 75 ft
Identify: up to 50 ft


Processing Power and Compression: Not All 1080P Cameras are Created Equal


Weather

weatherproof

IP67
Full protection from dust, rain, snow, dew, frost, and sprinklers.

You can even submerge it for a few minutes.


Temp

temperature rating

Extreme Cold Temperature rated from -40°F to 140 °F

Humidity rated between 10 and 95%.


Lens

varifocal lens

Motorized Varifocal: 2.8 - 12mm
91° - 27° of coverage

Digital Zoom and Optical Zoom

Learn about Digital vs Optical Zoom


Day/Night

night footage

Infrared night vision up to 165 FT

Integrated Full Spectrum Motion Light

Larger image sensor for low light

Color video possible until 0.001 lux

How to get the best footage at night


Special

special features

DC-Iris

Alarm Input and Output

Audio Input and Output
Audio Input/Output FAQ

Micro-SD Card Slot

True WDR (up to 120 dB)

Seeing in shadows: Understanding WDR

Designed for Limited Access, High Security Areas

Although some homeowners install the Knight where you might find a motion light, the Knight is especially useful in highly security areas, limited access areas such as server rooms, oil and gas outposts (which is why it is rated for extreme cold), or warehouses.

The Knight is a specialized version of our Viking camera with three modifications to improve low light performance. First, it has an oversized image sensor to allow in more light and is able to take color photos down to 0.001 lux. It also has a PIR motion sensor that turns on a natural, full spectrum motion light when movement is detected close to the camera. This lights up the area and allows the camera to take color video in any condition. Lastly, It has a specialized DC-Iris lens which allows it to adjust to changing light level very rapidly. Like the Viking, It has a motorized telephoto lens that allows you to optically zoom in to see a distant area more clearly. The Knight is a great choice for anyone who needs a color photo at night.

Sample Photos taken by the Knight 2.0. Click to enlarge the images. Press ESC key to close.

2.8mm at 4MP - the widest angle (91 degrees)
10 FT 20 FT 50 FT 75 FT 100 FT
view of person at 10 feet from a 2.8mm 91 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera view of person at 20 feet from a 2.8mm 91 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera view of person at 50 feet from a 2.8mm 91 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera view of person at 75 feet from a 2.8mm 91 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera view at 100 feet from a 2.8mm 91 degree FOV lens 4MP security camera
12mm at 4MP - fully zoomed in, smallest angle of view (27 degrees)
10 FT 20 FT 50 FT 75 FT 100 FT 125 FT
view at 10 feet from a 12mm 27 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 20 feet from a 12mm 27 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 50 feet from a 12mm 27 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 75 feet from a 12mm 27 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 100 feet from a 12mm 27 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera view at 125 feet from a 12mm 27 degree FOV lens 1080P security camera

detection

Detect someone up to 125 feet

"Detecting" a face means being able to tell that a human face is in the picture.

recognize

Recognize someone up to 75 feet

"Recognizing" a face refers to being able to say "I have seen that person before" - even if you don't know or can't place who it is.

identify

Identify someone up to 50 feet

"Identification" refers to being able to make out identifiable marks with enough certainty to make a sketch or claim.


If this is your exact scenario, you would need to modify our pre-made systems slightly. This is very easy to do.

We've listed a 16 channel premade system below. You could add that to the cart, which will break it up into its individual parts, and then modify the numbers of each camera. You would also want to add Knight and Informant cameras as needed. If all of this seems like to much trouble, we can also send you a custom quote as well.

*If you a point of interest further away than 100 feet, you may want to consider the Archer or Sharpshooter models.

Not sure what you need?

Lean on the experts

We'd be happy to work up a custom quote or take your floorplan and create a security coverage map.

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