Free Gas Station CCTV Layout CCTV Design Tool
Gas stations are 24/7 with high-stakes incidents — drive-offs, robberies, fuel theft. This layout uses ANPR at every pump island, sealed cameras under the canopy, and a tight overhead at the kiosk till.
8-16
Typical cameras
500-2,000 sqm
Typical area
Night operation in extreme contrast
challenge
Recommended camera zones
| Zone | Camera type | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pump islands | Bullet / Varifocal | 4-8 | ANPR bullet per island — varifocal, 1/1.8" sensor, fast shutter for night plates. |
| Forecourt overview | Dome / Fisheye | 2-4 | Fisheye or 360° dome at the kiosk corner — covers the whole forecourt in one stream. |
| Kiosk / cashier | Bullet / IR | 2-4 | Two domes — one overhead at the till, one wide-angle covering aisles. 4 MP+, face-readable. |
| Air pump and car wash | Dome / Box | 1-2 | Bullet covering the air-pump line and wash entry — both are common incident hotspots. |
Key challenges for
Night operation in extreme contrast
Bright canopy lighting next to dark forecourt edges blinds standard cameras. Use True WDR ≥130 dB and IR-augmented bullets for the unlit perimeter.
ANPR at every pump
Drive-offs are the #1 loss event. Each pump island needs a dedicated ANPR camera — generic bullets at 30+ m can't decode plates.
Explosion-rated zones near pumps
ATEX/IECEx zones around fuel pumps require explosion-proof or intrinsically-safe equipment. Position non-rated cameras at least 4 m above pump island and 3 m horizontal from any pump.
Weather: rain, snow, fuel mist
Forecourt cameras face airborne fuel mist and chemical wash chemicals. IP67 minimum, with annual housing inspection. Use vandal-rated mounts for the perimeter.
Pro tips for
ANPR at every pump pays for itself within months on drive-off prevention alone.
Don't mount cameras INSIDE the explosion-rated zone — buy ATEX-rated, or stay 4 m above and 3 m clear.
Run cleaning every 30 days on forecourt cameras — fuel mist films lenses fast.
Use cameras with built-in deterrent (white-light flash, audio warning) at the pump island — cuts drive-offs visibly.
Set kiosk retention to 90 days — robbery investigations often surface weeks late.
Frequently asked questions
How many cameras for a typical gas station?
Typically 8–14: 1 ANPR per pump island (4–8 typical), 1–2 forecourt fisheye, 2 kiosk, 1–2 air pump/wash, 1–2 perimeter. Larger truck stops easily push to 20+ cameras.
Do I need explosion-rated cameras?
Only if the camera is INSIDE the ATEX/IECEx zone — typically within 3 m of a pump. Standard cameras mounted 4+ m above pump island and 3+ m horizontal are usually fine but check local regulations.
Will a generic bullet camera read license plates at the pump?
At 5–8 m yes, often. At 15+ m or in low light, no — you need a true ANPR camera with fast shutter. Drive-off prevention isn't worth saving on the wrong camera.
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