A BOLLARDS BUYERS GUIDEEverything you need to know before you buy a bollard

WHAT IS A BOLLARD?I live and breath bollards and sometimes I make the mistake of assuming that everyone knows as much about them as me. I hear this is called the “curse of knowledge” and it’s a huge problem for people who sell things that aren’t mainstream.

So here’s the basic rundown of what a bollard is.

It’s a short vertical post that is used to direct and control traffic. Its most common use is to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles from unwanted areas.

Bollards were originally used by ships for mooring, but their use has grown with the spread of the industrial world.

MOST COMMON BOLLARDS

Here are some of the most common bollards in use today. Be warned: Once you start noticing these things you’ll see them everywhere. There are thousands of them all over the place and it’s almost like they breed and keep multiplying.

TRAFFIC BOLLARDSThese are typically permanent bollards that are placed close together to stop access to motor vehicles, but far enough apart to allow special vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians to enter.

PARKING BOLLARDSWith parking a premium in big cities, parking bollards offer a cheap way to protect your car spot. The bollard is raised when the car spot is vacant thereby stopping unwanted visitors stealing the spot.

When the car park is in use, the device is lowered and the vehicle is parked on top. There are automatic devices that can be activated by the press of a button, working in a similar way to a garage door or electronic gate.

www.shug.com.au | 0402 178 986

RAM RAIDING BOLLARDSRam raiding crime is on the increase. Here, thieves drive (usually a stolen vehicle) at high speed into a shop front, barging their way in. From here they load the vehicle with stolen goods and then take off.

Normal protection devices like locked doors, walls and cameras are little deterrent to ram raiders. They are in and out in a minute and wear balaclavas to conceal their identity.

The ram raiding bollard stops thieves dead in their tracks. It’s a very strong metal bollard that is buried deep into the ground. A properly constructed ram raiding bollard can stop heavy vehicles at high speed and is likely to cause serious injury or death to any occupants.

REBOUND BOLLARDSThese are similar to normal traffic bollards but they have an inbuilt shock absorption system that minimises damage to vehicles and the bollards themselves.

Rebound bollards are particularly useful in high traffic or small areas where vehicles may come in contact with other structures (like shelving, buildings) or people. A common use for rebound bollards is in warehouses that have forklifts, people and shelving in tight spaces.

REMOVABLE BOLLARDSThese bollards are popular where full access is required to certain spots at some time of the day but is restricted at others. The bollard is locked into place with strong locks but can be released and removed easily.

Local councils use removable bollards on malls and shopping strips that allow pedestrians and slow moving vehicles during the day but are then open to larger vehicles at night.

PORTABLE BOLLARDSYou see this on construction sites and are used by workers to attract attention and deflect traffic away from workers, vehicles and machinery. They are made from plastic and have a sturdy rubber base.

www.shug.com.au | 0402 178 986

SIX TIPS FOR GETTING THE RIGHT BOLLARD FOR YOUIn this section I want to give you my tips and tricks for making sure you get the right bollard for your needs. You really have to be careful because not all bollards are the same.

1. GET QUALITYSometimes it’s easy to buy the cheapest thing on the market. Usually, these cheap items are coming straight from China and while they are nice and cheap, they don’t have the quality that’s needed.

I’ve looked at all sorts of bollards that have come out of China and here are the main problems associated with them:

• They are not made from quality steel• They have weak or unsatisfactory welds• They use cheap and inferior locking systems• They are not protected for rust and wear• They don’t come with a guarantee

Granted, you may be desperate and just want any old bollard in place to stop the pain (like a car park being stolen) and I appreciate this. In many situations any old bollard will act as a deterrent and may solve your problem. But for a little bit extra you can get a quality Australian-made bollard that looks fantastic, will definitely do the job and you’ll have the peace of mind that it’s guaranteed and covered by warranties.

2. USE THE RIGHT BOLLARDThere’s nothing more annoying then installing the wrong bollard for your needs. Your best bet is to speak to a reputable supplier who can assist you to make the correct decision.

I’ve seen situations where people have installed fixed bollards when they should have used a removable device. And vice versa. Rebound bollards may save you a lot of time and money over permanent bollards. Please contact me if you have any questions about the right bollard for your needs. A short phone call can save you pain later on.

3. GET A STRONG DEVICEThere is no substitute for quality steel. After years of testing, research and manufacturing your bollard should be at least 5kgs. This will ensure it’s super strong and going to withstand impact. I’ve seen some bollards fold like a deck of cards when hit by a shopping trolley. This is not a good situation and as for bollards that contain plastic, forget about it!

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4. HIGHLY REFLECTIVEBollards are primarily a warning device. They are designed to deter vehicles entering places they are not meant to be. But if drivers of these vehicles can’t see them the bollards are useless.

If your bollard is going to be in a high traffic area please ensure it has highly reflective markings on it. This will ensure it can be seen at all hours of the day and night.

Another point missed by some is the height of the bollard. I’ve had customers wanting to install shorter bollards (thinking they look nice) but when I’ve pointed out that from behind a wheel of a car these bollards are invisible the client has changed their mind.

5. FITTED PROPERLYI’ve seen plenty of horror stories here. The most common one is trying to install a bollard into asphalt or dirt. This can’t be done effectively. Your bollard (in most cases) needs to be concreted in and the best people for this job are professionals.

Digging into any surface can be a can of worms. Underground wires, concrete reinforcing bars and water pipes are just some of the things you need to contend with. Plus, you want to make sure your bollard’s resting place is nice and secure. My strongest recommendation is to get someone who knows what they’re doing – you really do have better things to worry about.

6. A GUARANTEEI feel strongly about this. I’ve seen too many customers get the wrong bollard for their needs, or get a cheap imitation bollard and been left high and dry. All manufacturers should offer you a guarantee/warranty on the device and installation. If you’re not getting a guarantee then it’s obvious the supplier doesn’t stand behind his product.

Here’s an industry changing guarantee that makes purchasing a bollard a safe, logical and easy decision.

If you purchase a Shug Bollard and have it installed by my qualified installers then your bollard is guaranteed for 5 years. If your bollard doesn’t provide an acceptable solution and ease your problems then Shug will,

• replace the device with something that works• remove the bollard, return the area like new and give you a full

refund

If your job is time critical and this is pointed out to us at the time of order and we’re late, your bollard comes to you at no cost. You don’t pay.

If you have questions ask: It’s impossible to cover all questions in such a little document and I didn’t want to put you to sleep. If you have specific questions about your needs please ask me.

www.shug.com.au | 0402 178 986

Shug Bollards167 Manchester RoadMooroolbark, 31380402 178 986shug@shug.com.auwww.shug.com.au

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