Avoid Store Front Crashes with Wheel Stops

It sounds like a scene that many of us have seen in a Hollywood car chase movie, but drivers do drive their cars into shop windows. This is not an uncommon occurrence, and it happens more often than you would believe. Of course this kind of accident can cause an incredible amount of damage, but more importantly, customers and staff can be injured. A business could also be out of action for a considerable amount of time as the property will have to be repaired and made ready for business again. One simple solution to this problem that many businesses are using is wheel stops.

What is a Wheel Stop?

Many of us are probably most familiar with wheel stops at the supermarket or in other areas that have car parks. Vehicle wheel stops can be made from a variety of materials, such as new or recycled rubber, high impact plastic or concrete. Each type of wheel stop has different characteristics that make it suitable for certain applications. As an example: a concrete wheel stop would be more useful in an area that has heavy duty traffic like a loading dock or a warehouse.

For lighter duty applications, such as a parking area at the front of a retail outlet, a rubber or plastic wheel stop should fit the bill. The wheel stop acts as a physical reminder to the driver that they have met the end of the area where they can park. In order to go over the barrier at low speeds, the driver would have ignore the warning completely. The barrier will not damage the vehicle at lower speeds, but it is high enough to be an obvious deterrent.

Why is a Wheel Stop Necessary?

I’m sure that many of us have been or have seen someone become distracted. We live in a society where there are a lot of demands on our attention, and inevitably mistakes occur. Another phenomenon that occurs on a regular basis is pedal error. This happens when a driver returns to their car, puts the car into drive instead of reverse and then looks to the rear thinking they are going to reverse out of a space. They then press the accelerator, and it takes them too long to notice they are travelling in the opposite direction. This can become even more dangerous if the driver then presses the accelerator harder rather than hitting the brakes.

If they are interested in using wheel stops, Australia based business owners and property managers should contact us. At Image Bollards, we stock a wide variety of high quality safety and security equipment, including wheel stops. All of our range is manufactured to meet Australian standards. We look forward to discussing your needs in further detail and answering any questions you may have.

Managing Foot Traffic with Expanding Barriers

Areas with high volumes of foot traffic can be hard to manage at the best of times. If there are extenuating circumstances, this can become even more difficult. On top of this, throw in a situation where flexibility is needed, or access is required for certain people, and the task becomes virtually impossible without huge numbers of staff. This is where barriers come into their own as a way to direct pedestrians effectively. However, a static barrier may lack the flexibility that many property managers need and that is when expanding barriers become an attractive alternative.

What is an Expanding Barrier?

This is a barrier that is usually made from a tough nylon belt material that retracts into a post. The posts can be made from a number of different materials and finishes. A popular choice for many professional businesses is a classic chrome or polished stainless steel finish. The bottom of the post is weighted to give it stability, and there may be a material underneath to prevent scratching on floors. Installed in the top of the post there is a clever system to feed the belt out to the next post. The poles are strung together to create any kind of barrier that you may need to manage pedestrian movement.

Effective Queue Management:

The primary purpose that most people would use an expandingbarrier for would be for queue management. The ideal situation for any area where queueing would be taking place is to ensure that a smooth, orderly line is maintained. In the past, this would have been achieved using some poles and rope, but that will not cut it in the modern age. Any kind of queueing can be accommodated in even a fairly small space, and the system is very easy to set up.

Area Denial Functionality:

Another common use for this kind of barrier is to cordon off an internal building area. Premises such as art galleries exhibitions, museums display areas, and limited access libraries all use these kinds of systems. They are functional and more aesthetic than plastic barriers that would be used outdoor at a music festival or similar event. Another advantage is that as events change, it is simple to alter the flow of foot traffic and alter access. Employees that need to enter areas can do so simply without ducking under or stepping over rope barriers that could cause an accident.

If you’re interested in using an expandable safety barrier on your property, contact us. At Image Bollards, we stock a wide variety of high quality safety and security equipment, including expanding safety barriers. All the items in our product range is manufactured to meet Australian standards. If you need more information, we would be happy to discuss your needs in greater detail.

The Different Kinds of Removable Bollards

Urban spaces are becoming busier all the time, and car ownership is at an all time high. This can put a lot of strain on infrastructure that caters to car drivers and pedestrians. It has become necessary to take measures to increase safety while remaining secure. Many property managers are already aware of how useful bollards can be in both of these roles. However, the static and unyielding nature of a standard bollard is not very flexible if your property and visitors have different needs at various times of the day.

Using Removable Bollards:

The flexible solution to address many issues that may arise on a busy site are removable steel bollards. Using these devices allows you to have all the safety and security that you need in place when it is required. These kinds of bollards are still tough enough to stand up to most vehicular collisions, they can also be lit and/or have high visibility colours for using at night and in low light conditions, However, when you need to grant access to a particular area or change the direction of traffic flow you can do that easily. There are three main methods that are used to remove the bollards if they are not needed.

1. The Hinged Padlock Bollard:

This is the simplest removable bollard that can be used, it has a hinge at the base and be folded flat when not in use. When it is upright or folded, it is secured with a padlock. The bollard is surface mounted, and it’s easy to install on virtually any surface. However, it’s slightly weaker because it is surface mounted, poorer quality padlocks can be removed, and the bollard is still in place when not in use, making it a possible hazard.

2. Socket Mounted Bollards:

This kind of bollard is slightly more expensive as it is mounted in a sleeve that is sunk into the ground. A coating inside the socket sleeve prevents the surrounding earth from damage if a direct collision occurred. Placing the bollard and removing it is easy and a key locking system is used to secure the bollard in place. The only real disadvantage to this system is that it requires an employee to place and remove bollards manually.

3. Electrically Lowered Bollards:

This is the ultimate solution for many people. The bollard is mounted on the surface, but it can be raised or lowered electronically. This uses a hydraulic or electrical system, and it is a very efficient way of altering the space in a short period of time. It’s a more expensive option, but it requires less manpower to use.

If you’re interested in removable bollards products and other safety equipment, contact us. Here at Image Bollards, we have a wide range of security and safety solutions available. All of our high quality equipment is manufactured to Australian standards. If you would like more information, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Understanding Bollards: Perth Security Solutions

When most people think about bollards, they usually focus on their use as a safety device. The humble bollard is very effective at relieving traffic problems and protecting pedestrians. However, bollards are also a good way to improve security at your home or business. There are two main different kinds of bollards available, but within those, there are a lot of designs and choices to choose from. Let’s take a closer look at security bollards and discover if they could be the right choice for you.

Security Bollard Basics:

It is not that unusual to find security bollards on an industrial site or at a retail park. These bollards provide a solid structure that can protect sensitive areas from deliberate ramming and accidental collisions. Most serious bollards are constructed from stainless steel, and they can be broadly categorised into two types, they are: non crash resistant bollards and crash resistant bollards. When you look at security bollards for sale, you will notice that the stronger models with additional features usually cost more. A bollard can be installed by fixing it to the surface, but for maximum strength, the bollard should be sunk into the ground.

Non Crash Resistant:

These kinds of bollards are used in areas to service a multi purpose function. This could be because the area to be protected needs to have traffic or pedestrian flow at various times of the day. It is usually the case that these bollards are in place during after hours periods. The flexibility of these devices makes them a popular choice, but they are still strong enough to provide a decent level of protection. The bollards can be locked in place when in use and then unlocked and removed when they are not needed. A bollard of this kind can be folded flat, sunk into the ground or removed entirely when it is not in use.

Crash Resistant:

These kinds of bollards are stronger models that are used to protect sensitive areas full time. Many military facilities use these bollards to prevent vehicular attacks, and they are also used by business owners that carry expensive inventory. A series of crash resistant bollards are extremely effective at preventing crimes were vehicles are driven into stores and used for a getaway. They are very tough, made from solid stainless steel and sunk into the ground. When they are installed together, they add their strength together to stop vehicle impacts that are greater than they could prevent alone.

If they are looking for security bollards for sale, Perth business owners and property managers should contact us. At Image Bollards, we have a vast selection of high quality security and safety equipment for sale. All of our product range is manufactured to be compliant with Australian standards. Get in touch with us today, and we would be happy to discuss your needs in greater detail.