/ By Gateway Team / bollards/ 0 Comments

The Comprehensive Guide To Bollard Maintenance

the comprehensive guide to bollard maintenance

Bollards provide an effective method of demarcation, protection, and security in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. However, their maintenance is often overlooked.

Bollards are designed to keep buildings, assets, and people safe. Therefore, they must be properly maintained to ensure they continue to do their job.

Simple, periodic inspections and repairs can prolong the lifespan of your bollards. Follow our comprehensive guide to bollard maintenance, to ensure their effectiveness and save you money in the long run.

What causes damage to bollards?

Before carrying out any inspections or maintenance, it is important to first understand what can cause damage to bollards. The two main causes of damage to bollards are environmental conditions and human interaction.

Although bollards are designed to withstand adverse environmental and weather conditions, strong winds, rain, snow, ice, and even sun can take their toll on them over time.

Bollards in coastal environments are more susceptible to damage from saltwater spray, and high-traffic areas are subject to pollutants.

Many bollards are installed in car parks and on roads to serve as a visual aid to drivers in car parks and on roads. However, they are sometimes accidentally driven into, which can cause damage such as dents or scratches to bollards.

As well as accidental damage, bollards are also often subjected to intentional damage. People may vandalise bollards – they might graffiti on them, or stick flyers or stickers to them.

Bollard inspection

Now you have an understanding of how bollards can become damaged, it is time to carry out an inspection.

There are many issues to look out for when you inspect a bollard, including dents, breaks, cracks, rust, a buildup of dirt, salt or atmospheric residue, vandalism, vehicle impact, reduced performance, loose or missing fixings, or any other wear and tear.

If possible, it is worth taking some suitable fixings and tools with you in case any need replacing, then you can fit those during the inspection.

We recommend inspecting your bollards at least once a month. The harsher the environment that the bollards are in, the more often you should check them. If you have bollards in a highly polluted area, these should be inspected weekly.

Bollard maintenance

When it comes to maintenance, the best approach depends on the material which the bollard is constructed from. A tailored maintenance regimen is crucial to effectively maintaining your bollards.

Bollards constructed from steel are typically galvanised for added protection. Do not use abrasive cleaning products on these as it could compromise the integrity of the galvanisation and cause the bollards to rust prematurely.

Minor knocks and scratches should not need repairing as galvanised steel can self-heal minor damage. However, more significant damage should be repaired with repair paint which comes in spray or paste form.

Pre-cast concrete bollards are very hard-wearing and sturdy, so they typically require little to no maintenance, but should still be inspected and cleaned periodically.

Concrete bollards are more likely to accumulate a build-up of dirt due to the rough surface texture. When cleaning concrete bollards, wear protective gloves to protect against concrete dust and to prevent abrasions.

Timber bollards come in a variety of hardwoods and softwoods. Timber can have sharp edges and can splinter, move and split. A light sanding should help with splinters and sharp edges.

However, there is unfortunately little that can be done to repair major damage to timber bollards, so replacement is the only option when timber bollards deteriorate.

All bollards should be cleaned regularly, ideally with warm soapy water, or a solution of water and detergent, and a soft nylon brush. Once cleaned and rinsed, dry with a soft cloth. This will help to improve its aesthetic and prolong its lifespan.

Avoid using solvent cleaners when removing graffiti. Opt for a specialist cleaner or T-cutting compound, then test your product on a small, inconspicuous area to assess the effect it has on the bollard, before cleaning larger areas or the entire bollard with it.

If a bollard is damaged beyond repair, is no longer effective, or if the integrity of the bollard has been compromised, or if it poses a risk to people or wildlife due to damage caused, then it is time to call in professional help or replace it.

With over 30 years of combined experience in manufacturing and installing bollards, Gateway Automation Ltd. offers a value-for-money service with well-engineered, high-quality bollards, manufactured to your specific requirements.

For total peace of mind, we offer nationwide maintenance contracts on our own bollards, as well as on existing perimeter security equipment made by other manufacturers.

Whether your business runs from small retail premises or a large industrial site, Gateway Automation can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote and feasibility survey to assess your bollard requirements. Call us on 01522 682255, or email info@gatewayautomation.co.uk.

/ By admin / bollards/ 0 Comments

Bollard Maintenance Tips

Bollard Maintenance

Across the country, bollards are one of the most commonly seen forms of security equipment seen in locations as diverse as ports and power stations to high street pavements and sporting arenas. Bollards serve a dual purpose in protecting both buildings and pedestrians from impact and can be utilised as a simple yet effective means of access control. However, like other forms of perimeter security, bollards require a certain level of respect and upkeep to maintain their effectiveness. Here we share some top bollard maintenance tips.

Risks to bollards

Like everything else, bollards require periodic maintenance to preserve their looks and their effectiveness. Often placed outdoors, bollards are at risk from environmental conditions and human interactions.

The outdoors, particularly in the UK, bring adverse weather conditions throughout the year. Heavy rain, sleet, and winds can wear down materials with time, and heat and prolonged sun exposure may warp or dull exteriors.

Equally, bollards are at risk from their surroundings and human interaction. A bollard’s purpose is to protect and limit vehicular movement and as such may occasionally be struck or scraped by cars, lorries, and other types of vehicles. They may also be subject to vandalism or improper repair or usage.

Signs of damage and how to deal with them

So, what are some of the warning signs that your bollard may be in need of repair or upkeep? And what should you do to both prevent and deal with any problems that may arise?

Check bollard condition regularly

The first step in ensuring the longevity of your bollard system is to periodically check and clean your equipment. A simple clean with soapy water can often remove dirt, grime, and other pollutants that may build up over time, however always discuss your proposed cleaning routine with your manufacturer to avoid any problems. Having a regular clean can counteract many other issues down the line and ensure that all the parts are working properly. Consider diarising a bi-annual appointment to clean down your security equipment.

Avoid vandalism

The second type of problem that you may encounter with your bollard may be from vandalism or sabotage. While vandalism and crime are sad facts of life, there may be steps that you can take to prevent this from happening and send a clear message to criminals that you won’t take their actions lightly. You may achieve this by installing CCTV, warning signs, increasing manned patrols, or taking a broader look at your site’s needs and how you can upgrade your perimeter security with tools like gates or access control equipment.

Check for vehicle damage

Finally, the third type of problem with bollards may be of the technical variety. If a bollard has been damaged by a vehicle, fittings have jarred or become loose, or general wear and tear have resulted in reduced performance, then it may be time to call in the experts to bring your equipment back up to scratch. After all, a bollard is no use at all if it doesn’t operate as it is supposed to. Indeed a broken bollard may hinder your operations as a business, or cause a public health hazard. So it is important that you can call on experts to quickly assess and repair any damage.

As well as providing nationwide manufacturer and installation of perimeter security systems and devices, Gateway Automation also offers a servicing and repairs option. We provide nationwide maintenance contracts, and supply parts for all manufacturers’ equipment, so you can rest assured that we will have you back on track with minimum disruption to your business. To find out more, please contact us here.

/ By Gateway Team / access control • automatic barriers • automatic gates • barriers • bollards • business security • perimeter security • physical security/ 0 Comments

Questions to ask when choosing physical security

SecurityIf you’re reading this blog; then the chances are that you have identified perimeter security as an area of your business that needs to be addressed. Like many businesses, you may be concerned about the massive derailment of operations that can result from a serious security breach. If this is the case then read on to discover how perimeter security is fundamental to safeguarding your income, reputation, and peace of mind. And importantly, what questions you should ask when discussing your needs with a provider.

Whether in the middle of a recession, or in times of prosperity, crime remains a constant source of worry for many businesses up and down the UK. Even the most minor security breaches can result in repairs, losses of income, delays to operations, and can be a detriment to the confidence of customers and shareholders.

What is perimeter security?

Perimeter security entails the protection of your buildings and assets through the deployment of tools and equipment designed to limit access, deter criminals, and ultimately safeguard your property. However, before you begin planning, or reviewing your current measures, you should ensure that you have a good understanding of which measures will be right for your business.

How is my business different?

One size doesn’t always fit all. One of the most common sources of headaches for businesses that we discover in conversation comes from a lack of personalisation. Without a proper understanding of their operations, owners may be “upsold” to products that are either not suited to their particular type of business, or that they don’t need at all. This is why you should always seek out an experienced supplier and discuss with them how your business works and what needs you have. Afterall, no one knows your business as well as you.

What are my current security protocols?

It is rare to find a business that hasn’t at least invested in some rudimentary forms of physical security. However, there may be blind spots in your current blueprints that need to be addressed. It is important to identify weaknesses in your current strategy, as this is exactly what criminals will aim to do. If you can beat them to the mark, then you stand a good chance of deterring them from ever trying to take advantage.

How up to date are my current measures?

Like owning a car or a computer, security measures sometimes need to be reviewed and replaced. While products may be well built, time can wear on some, and repairs might be required to maintain their effectiveness. Equally, advances in technology may mean that your current measures are now outdated and need to be upgraded with advancements such as biometrics.

How do I build a strong perimeter?

To adequately protect your business, you need to start from the outside in. In the same way that castles would rely on drawbridges to keep safe, you too need to consider your entry and exit points.

Gates are one of the strongest forms of physical security out there and offer up both a physical and mental barrier that can upset criminal plans. Installed with thought and care, and given proper levels of maintenance – swing gates, sliding gates, and bi-folding gates should be a cornerstone of any physical security approach. Other fundamentals of external security include security posts, bollards, and outdoor turnstiles which provide effective solutions in specific environments.

How do I manage vehicular access?

Unwanted vehicles can be another sore point for some businesses. This may come in the form of unwanted heavy goods vehicles, caravans, or other unauthorised visitors. At the same time, vehicles can be a powerful tool for criminals, allowing them to use brute force to enter sites, or providing them with means of escape.

To combat this, businesses can employ a range of measures. Height restrictor barriers are often seen in car parks to block access to specific types of vehicles, while allowing permitted ones to enter. Security posts offer versatility in blocking access at specific times of the day, such as when your business is closed. Elsewhere, speed ramps can be used to reduce traffic speed, and automatic rising kerbs can be used to inhibit access in a formidable way.

What about internal security?

While a great amount of thought is often put into external security, there is an ever-growing need to address internal measures. In specific sites, entry may be granted freely, which means that there is a risk of visitors obtaining access to areas that need to be restricted. Equally, you may have high-value assets that need to be accessible by specific staff members only. Adopting tools like turnstiles and access control equipment can be a good place to start.

How do I know I’m making the right choice?

A quality supplier should leave you with no doubts about the options available to your business, and which tools should be used in cracking down on crime. A comprehensive risk assessment can be undertaken to address weaknesses and advise on the best course of action.

Here at Gateway Automation we provide you with a free, no-obligation risk assessment, feasibility survey, and quotation process free of charge. We also provide a nationwide reactive callout service with engineer response times of 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days. This means any problems can be addressed in a timely fashion, and disruption can be kept to a minimum.

For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here or call us on 01522 682 255.

/ By Gateway Team / access control • bank security • biometric security • bollards • key pads • turnstiles/ 0 Comments

Physical Security for Banks to Consider

Banks 2While all types of business premises can benefit from a security review, some sectors particularly need to keep their finger on the pulse. One of those is banking as banks are traditionally a top target for criminals. Here we discuss the physical security for banks to consider.

The Importance of Security for Banks

While banks are typically highly secure, the potential high reward for criminals means that they remain a top target for organised gangs and individual criminals. The result of a successful crime can go on to have long-lasting implications on their business. Let’s take a look at a few of the ways that banks can benefit from bolstering their physical security tools and take advantage of emerging technologies.

Alarm Systems

From traditional intruder alarms, manned security, and CCTV, there are several security options that businesses in the financial sector can take advantage of. Having these systems installed helps provide peace of mind to employees and customers alike. They also help provide a level of control to the business.

Access Control

Access control equipment such as intercoms, keypads, cards, fobs, or even turnstiles can all improve safety levels on-site. From protecting staff, customer files to other critical assets. This is particularly useful in banks, where the safety of employees working in restricted areas needs to be secure.

Turnstiles

Banks are busy environments and they receive heavy footfall from customers, staff, contractors, and suppliers alike. With all this coming and going, systems must be in place to restrict access to specific areas to only those who need it and are authorised to be there. Access control equipment and turnstiles can effectively cordon off areas for these purposes. For instance, for cash-in-transit firms and technicians who must be able to access secure enclosures regularly throughout the week.

Biometrics

Biometrics is another exciting development that can give the financial sector the security levels that are so essential to their businesses. Biometric technology utilises forms of identification that are more difficult to crack or clone, such as fingerprints, iris scanners, and voice recognition. Rather than relying on keys, fobs, or passwords, which can be copied or shared, biometrics offer a reliable and personalised means of restricting access robustly.

Gates and Barriers

Another consideration for banks to review is perimeter security. It is vital to be able to control access to external areas that are reserved for contractors and visitors. Barriers for instance can be used to restrict vehicular access to authorised personnel. Swing gates, sliding gates, and bi-folding gates can secure your premises between visits, and bollards, or road blockers can be used to reduce the threat of ramming.

Provide a balance

With all these considerations in mind, it is important to not overlook the fact that banks are customer orientated environments. Banks need to balance ease of access to the public with a strong and robust approach to physical security. Compromise can be found with knowledge and expertise in this area. Security enhancements can be achieved in a way that is tasteful but still achieves its target of securing assets. Providing peace of mind to both customers and employees of an institution.

Gateway Automation provides a range of perimeter security systems to help businesses and individuals to secure their sites and also provides nationwide servicing and repairs to gates, barriers, and other perimeter security equipment. To find out more, please contact us on 01522 68255 or take a look at our brochure.

/ By Gateway Team / bollards • business security • winter security/ 0 Comments

Business Security Considerations for Winter

Gateway Winter SecurityAlthough security is important all year round, businesses should focus on ensuring they have a specific security plan for the Winter months. Winter months bring unique security concerns that will need to be addressed. Here are eight business securing considerations for Winter.

Install Good Lighting  

This may seem obvious but it is a potential downfall for many companies who simply forget about it. As the nights draw short during the late Autumn months, the sun often starts to set before 5 pm and during many people’s working hours. This makes it more important than ever for a business to have sufficient lighting around its premises. Not only does it help visibility for staff members to get to their cars, but it can also help deter criminals from your site if you have strong security lights. Sufficient lighting is also needed where there are surveillance cameras installed for maximum effect. 

Carry out a risk assessment  

Although risk assessments should be carried out regularly, ensure you have a specific security risk assessment during the Winter. This can help highlight specific seasonal issues that you otherwise may not have considered. The assessment should ideally be carried out by a professional security company. They have the benefit of years of expertise and they will be able to identify issues that you could potentially overlook. Not only will they identify weaknesses and vulnerable points in your current security, they will be able to suggest the best options for your business and also help identify the best places for access control and security cameras for the maximum impact. 

Consider the clock changes 

When the clocks change in Autumn, ensure your security alarms and security lights are timed correctly and the time change is taken into account. 

Christmas holiday considerations  

A major part of Winter is Christmas and many businesses either have reduced hours, reduced staff, or the entire Christmas period off. Although Christmas is a joyful time, it is also a key time for criminals to target these empty premises. Therefore business security should be at its tightest. During times where the premises are closed to employees, should the company consider hiring a security guard to man the gates or have surveillance cameras installed? 

In addition to this, some businesses have office parties and this includes strangers coming into the building. If this is the case, you should review the access control permissions to ensure that any non-employee cannot enter any restricted areas to keep the premises and company data safe. Also, have a specific social media policy in place to stop any sensitive information from being shared. 

Hire Security Guards 

Although you may not need a security guard all year round, they provide a great additional layer of security to a business. They can patrol the property both during and outside official business hours. They can also deter criminals from committing crimes on the property in the first place. Security guards are constantly on the lookout for suspicious behaviour and are great for emergencies. 

Check Perimeter Security  

The adverse winter weather can potentially cause damage to your property. Despite having security fences or gates protecting the premises, high winds can be destructive and may cause a vulnerable point in your security which will need to be dealt with urgently. Having regular perimeter security checks to ensure the perimeter security remains intact. Also, ensure you have your perimeter security maintained regularly by a professional company. This will ensure it remains in the best possible condition for longer and reduces the risk of future damage. 

Be prepared for power issues  

Heavy snow and high winds can potentially cause havoc and can even lead to power outages. During the winter months, this is not ideal as not only will data potentially be lost, employees will be in darkness and access control may stop working which is dangerous. Ensure there is an emergency backup generator to cover the security systems, lights, computers, and more.  

Be wary of slippery surfaces 

All exterior walkways and paths should be cleared and prepared to avoid ice during the winter months. Ensure there is a designated walkway for members of staff that are away from moving vehicles. If there is a carpark alongside walkways, consider installing bollards along paths. Not only does this protect pedestrians, but it can also help avoid vehicles hitting the building due to slipping on ice. 

Although business security is an all-round concern, companies should ensure they take additional precautions for the cold winter months as their business may become more vulnerable during these times. We have discussed eight ways to keep your business secure this Winter. By incorporating these additional measures into your overall business security strategy and pre-planning,  you can have peace of mind that you have ensured your business’ premises and employees remain as physically secure and safe as possible.  

/ By Gateway Team / access control • barriers • bollards • campus • physical security • school security/ 0 Comments

University Campus Security Challenges

University campusUniversity campus security can be a difficult challenge to overcome. With hundreds of students coming and going around campus, it is crucial that sufficient security measures are in place. Here we discuss some of the best ways to approach campus security challenges and what measures should be enforced.

STEP 1: Define the problem & Identify Potential Issues

Before investing in more security solutions, it is of upmost importance that all potential threats are considered. The region and demographics of the campus and threat type should be considered. Identify the trends you are experiencing before thinking about which security measures will be best for each of them.

STEP 2: Implement Security Measures

Here are just some of the methods which have proven to be successful for improving university campus security. Use the information you have collated from step one to tackle the campuses specific problems and risks.

•    Access Control– Using access control has been proven to be an effective form of security on campus. Each student usually has an ID badge which provides them access to specific buildings. These not only help identify students, they can provide a sense of protection. An electronic visitor management system should also be considered to keep track of all visitors and people on campus.

•    Turnstiles-Turnstiles can be extremely effective, especially when teamed up with access control equipment. Having these together, can stop the risk of tailgating and help ensure that only authorised people can enter.

•    Bollards– Bollards can successfully protect both vulnerable buildings from damage but also protect pedestrians. Having bollards strategically located throughout the campus can help reduce the risk of accidents from vehicles as they do not allow cars to enter and helps indicate to students and staff where the designated pedestrian areas are with ease.

•    Sufficient Lighting– There have been many studies that highlight the importance of lighting as a security measure. Not only does sufficient lighting automatically make people feel safer, but the light also helps identify any criminals or potential criminals more easily when caught on CCTV and can help act as a deterrent.

•    Barriers- Barriers at the entrances of University campuses can be extremely effective. Especially if they are teamed up with manned security. Having these measures in place from the beginning helps ensure the correct people are let on to campus.

•    Training Courses- Although all the measures mentioned above can be successful, it is crucial that everyone is aware of these security measures and understand the importance of them. Therefore students and staff alike should have security training courses if possible to help them stay safe as well.

STEP 3: Measure effectiveness and continue to measure and adapt

Once you have adopted a strategy the work has not finished. To ensure that it will continue to be effective you must measure the results. If the results are negative, amend your strategy accordingly. Building a university campus that is as safe as possible is a continuous process and will always be adapting and changing.

Here we have discussed the steps needed to approach campus security challenges. A combination of security measures will ensure a 360 holistic security approach that can be extremely robust. However, the important thing to remember is to always measure the impact these security methods have and change and amend wherever necessary.

What’s Next?

To find out more about how security can be used successfully on an University campus , please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security equipment.

/ By Gateway Team / access control equipment • bollards • car park security • height restrictor barriers • security • security gate • speed ramps • staff car park/ 0 Comments

Keeping staff carparks safe and secure

SONY DSCHaving a staff car park is a great benefit for employees. However, having somewhere for them to park their car is not enough. You need to ensure you have undertaken as many preventative and safety measures as possible to ensure that the cars and staff always remain safe, as well as your employees and visitors. If staff do not believe their car and possessions will be safe whilst at work, this will adversely affect productivity and staff happiness. Here we discuss 9 ways you can make your staff car parks as safe as possible, ensuring staff happiness.

Under the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 and subsequent legislation, car park owners and operators are fully responsible for the safety of car parks. This includes employers.

1.    Sufficient Signposting
The car parks should be clearly signed throughout. You need to highlight any areas staff cannot park, which areas are for visitors only and have a low speed limit enforced at all times. In addition to this, you should have pedestrian crossings where necessary and pedestrian access only areas.

2.    Bollards
Bollards are a great way to separate pedestrian and driving areas. Knowing the cars cannot enter certain areas will provide peace of mind to the pedestrians and help guide cars in the right direction. During winter months as well, you can use the areas marked out by the bollards to indicate to pedestrians which routes are best to work on to avoid slippery surfaces.

3.    Speed ramps
Having a slow speed restriction sometimes is not enough. Pairing this with speed ramps can really help make the car park more secure. When staff are entering and exiting the car park at the same time each day, there is a higher chance of collisions or accidents taking place. Ensuring cars are moving around the car park slowly and responsibly helps reduce this risk significantly.

4.    Space
Careful planning of the car park needs to happen. You must ensure you have enough room for all cars whilst also ensuring there is enough space for manoeuvring. In addition to this, you need to ensure that any areas that delivery vans need to access or any emergency exits are kept clear at all times.

5.    CCTV
Especially during winter months when many people come to work and leave work in the dark, CCTV equipment can really help make the car park more secure, especially from the employees’ point of view.

6.    Barriers
Using barriers to the carpark is recommended as it can help make the car park more secure and will ensure only authorized personnel can park their car. Although automatic barriers accessed by the employees is possible, another option is to hire a security guard to ensure the barriers are always working, to allow entry to authorised people only and can also greet visitors as well as acting as a deterrent. Barriers are also great to avoid people thinking they can park there for free when they are not employees. This is especially important the closer to cities and built up areas you are.

7.    Height Restrictors
If you only have a small car park which cannot accommodate large delivery vans, then a height restrictor could be something you should consider installing. This will stop larger vehicles entering the carpark and potentially blocking other cars or even causing damage if there is not sufficient room.

8.    Control Access Equipment
To create an even more secure car park, you could use Access Control Equipment at the gates and your work building itself. This double layer of security ensures only people with authorization can enter the car park and the workplace.

9.    Lighting
Always ensure the car park has sufficient lighting. This allows pedestrians to be easily visible by drivers as well as allow people to walk safely back to their cars during winter months.

Although you may not see it as directly related, studies have shown that a good, secure staff car park will lead to happier, more productive staff as they do not dread coming to work because of fear they will struggle to park. If they do struggle to park, they are more likely to arrive to work frustrated which will impact their performance.

To find out more about you can secure your staff car park, please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no obligation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security equipment.

/ By Gateway Team / bollards • campus • college • university/ 0 Comments

Why bollards are important on college and university campuses

Automatic bollardsBollards are a great security measure and are especially useful in the education sector such as colleges and universities. Here we discuss how bollards can be used on campuses in order to increase the level of security and safety.

When implemented correctly and in the correct locations, they can be used to help students, staff, and visitors alike. When you consider how many people are on campus at any one time, as well as the fact they contain banks, shops, libraries, doctors surgeries and pubs, universities are more like small towns and therefore traffic management systems need to carefully be put in place, bollards being one of these.

What are bollards?
Bollards are short posts which are used as protective barriers and to mark areas ensuring both road and pedestrian traffic are aware of the correct routes they can travel. This helps with safety as well as the flow of pedestrians. They are a great form a safety without being intrusive or obstructive as they can fit into the design of the surrounding area.

Car parks
An obvious place to have bollards are in car parks. These can be some of the most dangerous areas on campus, as on busy days there will be both a lot of cars as well as pedestrians. In addition to this, because it is a campus, statistically a lot of the drivers will be young and some will have only just learnt to drive, making it even more hazardous. The combination of trying to find a parking space, people walking and chatting carelessly through the car park and the fact people may be running late can all cause accidents or serious injuries. Having bollards can help this as they can indicate where the pedestrian areas are. Also use them if the car park is next to a busy street. Not only will they protect pedestrians nearby, if a car was to hit the bollard, the damage caused will be significantly less than if the bollard wasn’t there and they crashed into something else, such as another car or even a building.

Also consider using bollards at any drop off points. Similar to car parks, these areas are extremely hectic and therefore bollards can help indicate where pedestrians must walk.

Bike lanes
A common way for students and staff to get around university campuses is by bike. Therefore, it is common to use bollards down the edges of bike lanes. These show to cars and other road traffic that these areas are off limits. It also shows pedestrians that they should avoid walking in these areas too. This improves safety but also traffic flow as the bikes can use this line with no obstacles in their way.

Pathways and green spaces
Having bollards around pathways and on the edge of lawns lets people know where they can and cannot walk. Although they can of course walk between the bollards, having them there acts as a physical deterrent and overall people tend to stick to designated areas. These are important during icy or snowy weather as the bollards can indicate the areas that have been gritted and therefore safest to walk on. You can also use them around artwork features such as fountains or sculptures that you want to protect from oncoming traffic.

Access control
Sometimes, there will be occasions where the emergency services may need access to areas that have bollards stopping their progress. In cases like this, there are automatic bollards available. These bollards are different as they are retractable, meaning you do not have to have them up constantly. This is great if you need quick emergency access or want to open the area up to allow more parking etc on certain days.

Additional safety measures
There are several options that can be chosen to be integrated into the bollards. A crown of LED lights can be added to automatic bollards along with a built-in warning signal. Traffic lights can also be used to warn people when the bollards are moving and when it is safe to pass.

For high risk areas that need extra security, anti-terrorism bollards are also available. These are hydraulic powered and great for protective sensitive sites. They lower the impact of anything coming into contact with it, protecting the area around it.

To find out more about what bollard options are available for your business, please contact us at Gateway Automation for a free quotation

/ By Gateway Team / bollards • business security • security/ 0 Comments

How bollards can protect against ram raids

Automatic bollardsA recent news story has highlighted the important role that bollards can play in protecting businesses against crime.

Companies in Leeds have expressed worries over the security of their businesses after a series of burglaries targeted at high-end retail outlets in the city centre. A total of three separate incidents have taken place over the space of nine months, with businesses falling victim to so called ‘ram raid’ style attacks.

High end stores such as Louis Vuitton, Flannels and Rolex outlets have all fallen victim to attempted and successful raids on their stores, whereby vehicles have gained entry by driving at high speeds into the buildings, thereby breaking through any doors, windows and security rafters.

However, according to a report in the Yorkshire Evening Post, retail staff working in the area have pointed to the local Hugo Boss store as an example of how businesses can protect themselves. The Hugo Boss store has several bollards placed directly in front of their store which effectively reduce the impact of any ram raid style attacks and act as a deterrent against would be thieves.

Another recent example of businesses turning to bollards as a means of protecting against vehicular attacks comes from a Waitrose store in Oxford. The Wantage branch of Waitrose announced plans to install both number-plate recognition cameras and ram-raid-proof bollards in their car park after a series of ram-raids at supermarkets across Oxfordshire where criminals stole cash machines.

Gateway Automation offer a variety of both automatic, static and anti-terrorism bollards which can be used in this way. We offer a value for money service with well-engineered quality bollards manufactured to your specific requirements. For total peace of mind, we offer nationwide maintenance contracts on our own bollards and on existing perimeter security equipment made by other manufacturers.

Whether your business runs from small retail premises or a large industrial site, Gateway Automation can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your bollard requirements. To find out more please call us on 01522 682 255.

/ By Gateway Team / bollards • school • school parking/ 0 Comments

How bollards can help prevent school parking problems

How bollards can help prevent school parking problemsAcross the UK, nurseries, infant schools, junior, primary and secondary schools all share one thing in common – parking problems. Parents seeking to save time on the school run by parking as closely to school entry points as possible are causing headaches for schools and local residents alike, leading to repeated calls for parents to fall in line, which seemingly fall on deaf ears.

None more so is the problem highlighted in that of busy, growing, successful schools where the number of drop-off and pick-ups increase year on year. The growing traffic to the schools means that parents are in even more of a rush to drop off their kids and do it in as little time as possible. This leads them to park in unathorised areas such as on verges and pathways and in areas that cause road blockages, obstruct traffic and block footpaths for pedestrians.

Despite the best efforts of many schools, launching safety campaigns, contacting parents by email, phone and by post as well as verbally warning repeat offenders – they have had no luck in easing the problem. Many even find that despite having double yellow lines painted and sign posts placed to warn drivers, the problem persists.

So, what can schools do to get tough on illegal parking? One key way that schools can clamp down on this problem is to consider installing bollards. Bollards such as the GA7276H operate with an electrohydraulic mechanism which means they can be raised and lowered according to need. So, if there times when, say trade vehicles, require parking by the school then you can allow them access. During times that no access is needed the bollards can be raised to prevent unauthorized parking and send a strong message to parents.

If your school is experiencing these types of problems, then please do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss your options. We offer a value for money service with well-engineered quality bollards manufactured to your specific requirements. For total peace of mind, we offer nationwide maintenance contracts on our own bollards and on existing perimeter security equipment made by other manufacturers. To find out more please call us on 01522 682 255 or click here to request a quote