Condo Parkade Security: Cameras, Access Control & Lighting Best Practices

Parkades are well known to be high-risk areas for multiple types of crime including theft, vandalism, and violent crimes. For this reason, following best practices in parkade security is critical. In today’s blog article, we would like to address the best practices for cameras, access control and lighting in condo parkades.

Why are parkades so dangerous?

Parkades and condo parkades are dangerous because those who use them are often in a hurry, distracted, and parkades are not heavily trafficked, so users are isolated. In addition, the random items people leave in vehicles are high-value targets.

Parkade Security Best Practices

Lighting

There are specific lighting standards for parkades, a complete discussion of which is beyond the scope of this article. In short, condo parkades should have bright, uniform lighting throughout. All entrances and exits, stairwells, and corners should be well lit. There also needs to be emergency lighting in the case of power failure. Good lighting not only reduces crime, but it reduces accidents, which are very common in all parking lots and parkades.

Cameras

Parkades should have many cameras. They should cover entrances, exits, walking paths, anywhere there is a pay-for-parking kiosk, near doors and main driving aisles. Cameras should also cover elevator waiting areas and should overlap each other.

Access Control

Access control as it relates to condo parkades is the system that manages the entrance and exit of vehicles to/from the parkade. This means that there’s a system in place so users can use their phone or key fob or something else to get in and out, and there is a record being kept elsewhere for condo management on all the traffic in and out. Similarly management can revoke access easily.

We strongly recommend improving your condo complex’s parkade security to include what we have discussed above. Top-notch parkade security will not only deter crime but will make your parkade a positive selling feature for your condo complex instead of a reason for people to move away.

We hope that this article gives you some insight into how modern technology makes condos more efficient and safer. For security systems on the Lower Mainland, please call us at (604) 583-2542.

Alpha Integrated has over 30 years of experience in the security business. We offer a wide-range of state-of-the-art products, a knowledgeable and friendly staff, competitive pricing, and a business model with integrity that stands behind and services the products we carry and install. Our clients include commercial, multi-residential, residential, marine, and other venues. Please feel free to call us on the Lower Mainland at (604) 583-2542.