CCTV for Petrol Stations & Car Workshops in Saudi Arabia: Coverage & Requirements
Installing CCTV for petrol stations and car workshops in Saudi Arabia is different from any other surveillance project. Fuel stations and gas sales outlets are explicitly listed among the facilities required to install cameras under the Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras, and the environment is harsh: summer heat above 50°C, dust, glaring canopy lights, and zones around the pumps where an ordinary camera should never be mounted. This guide is for station and workshop owners in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and along the highways.
What the law requires of fuel stations
The 2022 law and its implementing regulations cover fuel stations and gas outlets. In practice:
- Installation is a condition for issuing or renewing the licence.
- Recording must be continuous, and maintenance is the owner's responsibility.
- A visible sign must state the site is monitored.
- Recordings are retained for the required period, handed to authorities on request, and may not be published or transferred without lawful approval.
Per the Ministry of Interior, fines reach SAR 20,000 for publishing or destroying recordings, SAR 10,000 for installing in a prohibited place, and SAR 5,000 for failing to retain recordings. Summary of the law: saudipedia.com/en/article/3315 — see also our guide to CCTV requirements for businesses.
Coverage points at a fuel station
Pump islands
Every pump should clearly show the car, the attendant, and the fill-and-pay transaction — to settle disputes and catch drive-offs.
Entry and exit: number plates
Fill-and-flee is the most common station theft. Ordinary cameras rarely read plates at night, so use licence-plate recognition (LPR/ANPR) cameras at the entry and exit, with a narrow fixed angle and infrared lighting.
Cashier and convenience store
One camera over the payment point (hands, screen, drawer) and one covering the store door and aisles — similar to our guide on CCTV for restaurants and cafés.
Tanker unloading and fill points
Each fuel delivery should be documented: volume, who attended, and how long it took.
Perimeter and back lots
Truck parking, generator and electrical rooms — long-range night-vision bullet cameras work here.
Hazardous areas: when do you need an explosion-proof camera?
Around dispensers and tank vents are classified hazardous areas where flammable vapour may be present. Any electrical device inside them must be designed for that environment — explosion-proof (Ex) cameras with recognised certification such as IECEx or ATEX. The international certification scheme is explained at iecex.com
A good technician's rule of thumb: mount ordinary cameras outside the hazardous zone and aim them at the pumps from a safe distance (outer canopy columns or the store wall), and use Ex-rated cameras only when the angle can't be achieved from outside. The exact zoning comes from the station layout and Civil Defence requirements — never estimate it.
Car workshops: document before you protect
Vehicle check-in
The most important workshop camera. Recording the car on arrival from both sides documents its condition (scratches, dents, odometer) — your evidence when a customer says it arrived undamaged.
Work bays
One camera per lift or bay documents the work done and helps with productivity and worker safety.
Parts store
Spare parts are the most valuable and most easily stolen items. Cover the door and the inside; for larger stores, the principles in CCTV for warehouses and factories apply.
Saudi environmental challenges
- Heat: choose cameras rated to 60°C and shade them from direct sun.
- Dust: IP66/IP67 protection plus a lens-cleaning schedule.
- Glare: canopy and headlights blind lenses — insist on WDR (wide dynamic range), especially at entrances.
- 24/7 operation: highway stations never close, so a UPS and continuous recording are essential.
Recording and storage
A mid-size station typically needs 8–16 cameras with an NVR sized for the required retention period. See why in our DVR vs NVR guide, and budget with our CCTV installation price guide. The law requires continuous operation, so schedule monthly checks or a maintenance contract — see our CCTV maintenance guide.
Cameras plus access control
The office, parts store and safe room need more than a camera: a lock that records who opened it and when. Linking that log to footage makes any loss traceable in minutes. For a supplier back gate, a video intercom lets you see visitors before opening.
Where cameras are not allowed
Toilets and staff changing rooms are private spaces the law prohibits filming. Cover the corridor leading to them if needed — never the inside.
FAQ
Are CCTV cameras mandatory at fuel stations in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Fuel stations and gas outlets are covered by the law, and installation is tied to licensing and renewal.
Can an ordinary camera be installed near a fuel pump?
Inside a classified hazardous area, only certified explosion-proof equipment may be used. The cheaper option is usually an ordinary camera mounted outside the zone, aimed at the pump.
How do I catch drivers who leave without paying?
LPR cameras at the entry and exit with infrared lighting, plus one camera per pump island.
How many cameras does a car workshop need?
A 4-bay workshop typically needs 6–8: check-in, bays, parts store and entrance.
Do I need special cameras for summer heat?
Yes — rated to 60°C, IP66 or higher, and mounted out of direct sun.
Install CCTV at your station or workshop with Fixlr
Fixlr connects you with verified technicians who plan camera angles around pumps safely, install LPR, cashier and workshop cameras, and configure recording and retention — with an installation warranty and same-day service in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Browse Fixlr services, book security camera installation, or see how Fixlr works. Book at getfixlr.com.