Many businesses now consider unauthorised parking to
be a growing issue and have need of a solution. Fortunately, there is a wide
selection of traffic calming and restricting measures including bollards that
can offer a resolution for this issue. However, how do you know which method is
the most suitable for your property? We will explore this topic further to
provide you with the details you need to make an informed decision.
Identify Your
Needs:
The first step of determining if retractable
bollards could solve your parking problems is to identify your specific needs.
Are you looking to stop vehicles parking in unauthorised areas or provide
pedestrian protection? Do you still require access to the building for service
vehicles, staff parking and deliveries? Each of these scenarios will have a solution
that is more well suited to the specific needs. However, retractable or
removable bollards do provide the greatest flexibility. They allow you to
cordon off areas to prevent unauthorised vehicles, but still retain the
possibility of access as and when required.
Retractable or
Removable?
Of the vast range of bollards for sale, retractable
and removable models tend to be the most popular. As mentioned above, they
offer the greatest flexibility, but you may be unsure which is the better
option for you. To determine this, you need to understand the differences
between these two models. While both operate on the same principle, a removable
bollard requires the bollard to be lifted out of the housing and moved
elsewhere to allow access. Retractable models have a housing which is mounted
below the ground surface that allows the bollard to be lowered, permitting
access without creating a trip hazard.
Removable models tend to be cheaper, but this can
quickly be dismissed if you face the frustration of needing to move a bollard
pole several times a day. If access is seldom required, this is likely to be
the more economical option. On the other hand, if you require access
frequently, a retractable model is the logical choice.
Manual or
Automatic?
Once you have determined that a retractable model is
the right choice for your requirements, you face a final decision of whether to
choose a manual or automatic option. Again, this comes down to convenience. If
access is very frequently required, an automatic bollard removes the need to
physically trigger the retraction. This can prove very convenient as staff can
simply check if a vehicle is authorised and lower the barrier as from inside
the premises as and when required. However, these models tend to be far more costly,
so you will also need to consider your budget.
If you would like to know more about your options of
retractable bollard, Perth property owners should contact us. The Image
Bollards team would be happy to provide guidance on the bollard model best suited
to your needs.
