Automatic bollards have become a staple in modern security infrastructure, offering effective control over vehicular access to various spaces. However, choosing the right automatic bollards for your specific needs requires careful consideration. Before making a purchase, here are the top five tips to ensure you make an informed decision:
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Before diving into the market, evaluate your security requirements. Consider the level of threat, the frequency of vehicular movement, and the specific area you need to protect. Understanding your needs will guide you in selecting automatic bollards with the appropriate features and specifications.
One of the critical factors in choosing automatic bollards is their ability to withstand impact. Assess the impact resistance level required for your site, considering factors like vehicle speed and size. Opt for bollards with a robust design and materials capable of absorbing and distributing impact energy effectively.
Ensure that the automatic bollards you are considering comply with industry standards and regulations. This may include safety standards, impact resistance certifications, and compliance with local building codes. Choosing bollards that meet these standards ensures both effectiveness and legal compliance.
Consider how well the automatic bollards integrate with your existing or planned access control systems. Seamless integration enhances the overall security of your facility, allowing for coordinated control and monitoring. Look for bollards that support various access control technologies such as RFID, biometrics, or remote control systems.
Factor in the long-term costs associated with maintenance and the lifecycle of the automatic bollards. Choose bollards with a reputation for durability and reliability to minimize ongoing maintenance expenses. Additionally, inquire about warranty options and after-sales support to ensure a cost-effective and trouble-free ownership experience.
A: Yes, many manufacturers offer customization options for automatic bollards, allowing you to choose finishes, colors, and designs that complement the aesthetics of your site.
A: Like any mechanical system, automatic bollards require periodic maintenance. However, the frequency and complexity of maintenance depend on the specific model and usage conditions. Regular inspections and adherence to the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines are essential.
A: Some automatic bollards come with built-in battery backup systems, allowing them to operate during power outages. It’s essential to inquire about this feature and assess whether it aligns with your site’s security needs.
Investing in automatic bollards is a strategic step towards enhancing the security of your premises. By carefully considering your needs, verifying compliance, and assessing long-term costs, you can confidently choose automatic bollards that not only meet but exceed your security expectations.
Remember, the right automatic bollards are an investment in both security and peace of mind.
ESF Secure - Protecting Your Property
ESF’s Top 5 Tips Before Buying A Security Bollard
· Know which type of security bollard you need and what you need to protect
· Make sure you have someone capable to install it
· Hire a skip for the rubbish
· Make sure you maintain it once it is installed
· Contact ESF if you need advice
1. Know which type of security bollard you need for your gateway or driveway
Security posts come in various shapes and sizes, and it’s easy to get ‘lost’ in the amount of choice. To make things a little easier, let’s look at the different types you might need.
The four main types of bollards you’ll come across are telescopic, removable, automatic, and fixed.
Now, these can be split into two groups, high security, and domestic security. High-security bollards are usually used to secure key sites such as government buildings or airports from vehicle attacks.
These high security bollards have been impact tested, so not really the sort of thing you would have at the end of your driveway. On our ESF website, you’ll find these under the HVM bollard category.
Our domestic security line contains all our non-tested bollards which have been designed to protect everything from driveways to industrial sites. Just at a more affordable price
Our driveway security bollards come in a wide range of models, so let’s look at the different kinds you might find.
Fixed Bollards
Let’s look at our fixed bollards first. Much like the name implies, these bollards are fixed in place, though they are often known as static bollards. You’ve probably seen these types of security bollards outside supermarkets or in car parks lining pedestrian walkways or loading zones.
These bollards aren’t usually suitable for driveways due to their fixed nature making it impossible to allow vehicular access. There may be circumstances however where you may want to look at fixed bollards if you’re aiming to permanently stop access to certain parts of your property or reduce vehicular access paths.
Telescopic Driveway Bollards
Telescopic bollards from ESF are the most common type of driveway security post. These bollards can be lowered into the ground with ease manually, allowing you to protect your driveway, preventing any vehicle access when not in use, and allowing easy access when needed.
These are our most popular domestic security bollards as they are easy to use and offer secure protection for your driveway and property.
If you’re worried or put off by the potential lifting weight of a telescopic bollard, there’s no need to worry as our lift-assisted bollards reduce the lifting weight by 60%.
For more information, please visit Street Fixed Bollard.
Removable Driveway Bollards
A telescopic bollard from ESF might not always be the most suitable option for your driveway. If you have a high water table, for example, it can make it difficult to raise the telescopic post out of the ground. In cases like this, a removable version might be a better option.
Another case where a removable bollard might be more suitable would be if you have pipes or wiring under the drive that may limit how deep you can excavate without causing damage.
In cases like this removable bollards are a better option because they require a much shallower foundation. Instead of retracting into the ground like a telescopic bollard, they can instead be removed and stored safely, often as little as 20cm needs to be excavated.
In fact, at ESF, we supply special storage sockets with our removable bollards so they can be stored safely without the risk of damaging the post.
Automatic Driveway Bollards
Finally, you have ESF automatic driveway bollards, which can be controlled remotely through the use of a key fob or from your mobile phone. Automatic driveway bollards raise and lower using a hydraulic pump system and require a more extensive installation process. These are the high end of driveway security and as such reflected in their price. For driveways requiring 24 hour security and regular access these are the best option for sure.
2. Make sure you have someone to install it
There is nothing worse than getting a brand new security post for your driveway and having no idea how to install it. We offer a full design and installation service at ESF and our secure install team have over 50 years’ experience.
If you’re unsure of how many bollards you need install on your driveway, or whether there will be any issues, simply send us a picture of your driveway and one of our experts will be able to help.
3. Hire a skip
If you choose to arrange installation yourself, this is something we find most people don’t think about when buying a driveway security bollard, but it’s one of the most important.
Fitting a new driveway security bollard requires digging down into concrete, brick, tarmac or whatever your driveway material is.
You will need to hire a skip so that the rubble and spoil can be taken away, leaving your driveway nice and clean.
If you’re in our area, it’s much easier if you get the ESF Secure team to carry out this installation work for you.
4. Make sure you maintain your bollard
While driveway bollards from ESF are sturdy pieces of kit, they do need looking after from time to time to ensure their long and useful life. The ESF Secure team offer onsite maintenance and servicing for our bollards and all others as well.
In our experience, we recommend one service every 6 months.
In the event that you have problems with your driveway security bollard or indeed, someone accidentally drives into and damages your bollard, don’t panic, just give our ESF Secure team a call and they can advise. If you need someone to come and take a look at your bollard, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.
5. Give us a ring if you need advice
We talk bollards day-in-day-out, so if you need some advice or have any questions about how best to secure your driveway or property, give us a ring on +44 (0) 2890 364101 and our ESF Secure team will be happy to help or feel free to send us a message on Twitter or complete the contact us form.
You can also find a wealth of information about our range of bollards on our new ESF website including videos, datasheets and drawings.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Security Wedge Barriers.