Category Archive: Site Protection
If you have perimeter protection needs, contacting Ontario Bollards should be your first step—for a host of compelling reasons.
Experience
With more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, our team has a broad range of knowledge about construction-related projects and processes. We understand which materials, constructions, and installation methods work best for each application. From our headquarters in Georgetown, Ontario and office in Williamsville, New York, we have provided site-specific safety and security solutions for countless clients throughout North America in a broad spectrum of industries. As a result, we’ve collaborated with security specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, project managers, property managers, and end-users to provide solutions that are both functional and attractive. We are the premier experts in North America on the design, construction, installation and servicing of asset protection products for all situations. There’s no substitute for experience and ours is unrivalled.
Products
Fundamental to the success of Ontario Bollards is our extensive materials inventory for bollard construction, which allows us to provide you with a quick turnaround on your project. On the rare occasions that Ontario Bollard cannot fabricate the specific solution required by a unique or complex application, we make use of our extensive network of partner facilities to help meet those needs. Our portfolio of material suppliers and fabricators share our commitment to producing the best asset protection solutions available. Consequently, we have the capacity to meet your every need.
Ontario Bollards provides an extensive array of bollards, including:
- Anti-Terrorism (K-Rated) Bollards: Stop big trucks in their tracks.
- Retractable Bollards (Semi-Automatic and Automatic Hydraulic models): A secure and affordable option for access control.
- Removable Bollards: Ideal for locations with changing access needs.
- Manual Bollards: Clean and versatile design; available with alternative mountings, including retractable and removable options.
- Surface-Mount/Bolt-Down Bollards: Protect utilities, electronics, machinery, buildings or pedestrians from accidental collisions.
- Bollard Covers: An easy and inexpensive way to beautify security posts and protect them from the elements.
Ontario Bollards also provides SpringPosts, bollards that spring back upright after impact, as well as Polymer Barrier Systems, designed to protect doors or protruding corners from accidental impacts with forklifts and other moving vehicles.
Single-Source Solutions
Ontario Bollards provides turn-key perimeter protection systems tailored to your specific requirements. We do it all. We can help you:
- Assess your current damage protection strategy and your unique requirements.
- Identify weak points in your current damage protection program.
- Create a custom plan that addresses the weak points.
- Provide the products outlined in the plan.
- Promptly and expertly install the products.
- Conduct maintenance and repairs as required.
By professionally providing all these services at competitive prices, we make protecting your people, products, operations and profits simple and stress-free.
Contact
If you have perimeter protection needs, we’d love to hear from you. We know we can help. Click here to contact us.
Summer in Canada brings longer days and warmer temperatures, it also brings with it an unwanted side-effect: record-high rates of vehicle theft. Reaching epidemic proportions in Canada with theft rates in Toronto nearly doubling since 2015, a vehicle is now stolen every six minutes according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
The Toronto Police Department reported 5,666 vehicle thefts in 2020, capping a five-year upward trend. TPS also reported that the majority of thefts occurred on weekdays, with a high concentration of thefts taking place between 7 pm and 10 pm. Commercial vehicle thefts saw a 0.3% increase according to these findings, while residential vehicle thefts were up a whopping 13.5%. Despite the daunting statistics, vehicle theft is preventable, and the team at Ontario Bollards has put together a list of tips to greatly reduce the risk of property loss.
Park defensively
The simplest defense against vehicle theft can sometimes be a careful parking job. A locked garage is always the safest place for a vehicle, but should one not be available then more strategic parking is a must. For starters, thieves are not too fond of the spotlight, so parking a vehicle in a well-lit area will help deter a theft. When parking two vehicles, it is wise to park in a way that ensures one vehicle is guarding the more valuable (and therefore more susceptible) vehicle. Dedicating a few minutes to ensuring a vehicle is parked strategically may be the difference between a safe vehicle and a stolen one.
High-tech, lower risk
As thieves get more cunning, a high-tech approach to vehicle defense becomes more necessary. Simple tools like a steering-wheel lock prevent theft by making a vehicle impossible to steer should a successful break-in take place. Immobilizers are a tool that prevents the engine from running unless the correct key is present. This prevents the vehicle from being “hot wired” and reduces vehicular theft. While these less complex measures are effective, vehicle owners should also install GPS trackers on vehicles and store key-fobs in signal-blocking pouches (Faraday bag or cage) to guard them against hacking. Clearly visible security cameras pointed directly at the vehicle(s) can also deter potential thieves, or at very least provide documentation should a successful theft occur.
Think like a thief!
To prevent theft, vehicle owners should begin thinking like a thief. A quick trip into a coffee shop or running back into the house to grab a wallet (or a mask) with an unlocked or even running car may seem harmless, but it could present a golden opportunity for a thief to strike. Valuables should be removed or hidden, and vehicles should be locked whenever a vehicle is left unattended, no matter how brief. While Canadians would all like to put their faith in others, with theft rates at a record high it is not worth the risk.
Learn from the professionals!
Although residential vehicular theft in 2020 was up 13.5% over the previous year, commercial thefts remained largely unchanged. The defining factor? Bollards. Bollards have been used for decades to protect tractors and other heavy machinery, and car dealerships count on them to protect vehicles from theft while also offering access to inventory when needed. In addition to preventing theft, bollards are cost-effective and are a safety barrier that prevent vehicles from causing accidental or intentional damage to property—making them a valuable asset to car dealerships. With Canadian vehicular theft at an all-time high, however, more and more individuals are now relying on bollards for private residences as well.
Guard vehicles with Ontario Bollards
Immobilizers, alarms, and high-tech security systems are a strong defense, remember that bollards are the ultimate protective measure. With over 35 years of industry experience, Ontario Bollards is Canada’s premiere resource for asset security solutions. Sleek, stainless steel removable and retractable bollards from Ontario Bollards provide unbeatable protection while offering convenient access to vehicles when needed. With thefts reaching a fever pitch, vehicle security is more crucial than ever. Fortunately, even the most brazen of thieves are deterred by Ontario Bollards. “Car dealerships have been using them forever,” said president of Ontario Bollards Danny Zanchi. “They’re commonplace in Europe and they are becoming more popular here.”
Furthermore, Ontario Bollards can install retractable bollards in residential driveways to prevent car theft. Here is the story of one of our clients, who had a vehicle stolen, so they hired Ontario Bollards to install a set of retractable bollards to prevent any possibility of future theft:
The installed retractable bollards on the driveway
“I recently woke up to discover that my wife’s car had been stolen right out of our home driveway. Needless to say it’s a gut wrenching experience; that leaves you feeling violated and exposed at your own home.
I decided to look into the idea of residential Retractable Bollards and after making a few calls to educate myself on the cost and details of installing these bollards…
Eventually I called Ontario Bollards and got on a call immediately with a young man named Nate. I must tell you that I was SO impressed with the customer service side of your company (Nate is absolutely terrific).
The workmanship was EXCELLENT!! No mess! No fuss! Just excellent execution on all counts!
The installed retractable bollards. Retracted (left)/In Use (right)
I’m really so impressed with your company and your team; and I just wanted to let you know that I would be happy to be a reference anytime you might have a new client that wants to hear how MY experience went.
I would highly recommend Ontario Bollards to anyone that is looking to find a way to secure your home driveway from auto theft.”
-Darrin Jones, Ontario Bollards Customer
Do not be another statistic. Being proactive rather than reactive in regard to vehicular theft can save heaps of headache (and heartache) in the long-run, and a bollard solution from Ontario Bollards is the most effective way to guard against vehicular theft. For more information on how Ontario Bollards can help keep your vehicles safe, dial us at 844-891-8559 or send an inquiry to info@ontariobollards.com and our team of our experts will be glad to help.
A Guide to Site Protection With Bollards
Whether you need bollards because of building or fire codes, the design of the building, traffic patterns, or safety concerns, you want to ensure you are getting the right product for your site requirements. From crash rated bollards to traffic pattern indicators, bollard design is critical in providing the ideal protection for your building. To find the right barrier for your project, our team at Ontario Bollards shares the following information.
Key Bollard Considerations
Safety bollards are an excellent way to provide guidance for traffic flow, protection for pedestrian traffic, and an additional security measure for the building entry. However, despite their efficacy as visual and physical guides for vehicles, particularly in public venues, they are often overlooked.
When these robust, reinforced metal posts are placed in front of buildings or other outdoor spaces, it not only cues drivers where to go, but provides a safe space for pedestrian walkways and protects storefronts. Gate bollards can be used to seal off roads, bike paths, or walking trails, while parking bollards can prevent drivers from accidentally rolling too far past the parking spaces.
To select the right bollard for your needs, consider the following factors for your site:
- Behavior of drivers
- Design of building and road
- Frequency of traffic
- Types of traffic
Types of Bollards & Their Advantages
The strongest bollards are steel pipe reinforced with concrete and installed in a concrete substrate. Collapsible or retractable bollards can allow vehicle access from specific directions while preventing access from others without removing them.
You may choose to install a permanent crash rated, high impact bollard to prevent vehicles from hitting pedestrians or damaging property. If you are using bollards to section off areas, a low impact bollard may be a better choice. For multi-use areas, consider removable bollards.
Regardless of the design and installation, there are many benefits to using bollards on your site:
- Protect drivers: Traffic bollards separate opposing traffic patterns on roadways and limit speed in dangerous areas.
- Light up dark spaces: Lighted bollards are often used around parks and near buildings to illuminate walkways at night.
- Prevent access: Bollards can be used either permanently or temporarily to designate pedestrian access or construction areas.
- Enhance appearance: The aesthetic appeal of bollards is vastly underrated. Design, placement, color, and lighting can highlight and enhance the look of both architecture and landscaping.
- Protect storefronts: You can protect storefronts from wayward vehicles with concrete reinforced steel pipe bollards. If the look doesn’t appeal to you, there is always the option for more attractive bollard covers.
Quality Safety Solutions From Ontario Bollards
Since bollards create not only a physical but also a visual barrier, it is essential to choose a supplier who offers options in the shape, size, design, and function while providing professional guidance on the appropriate decisions for the site and application.
Ontario Bollards has been an industry leader in asset protection, providing bollards in various materials, designs, and safety ratings for almost 40 years. Our goal is to find the balance of safety and aesthetics to optimize the experience for visitors to your site.
For more information on our capabilities, products, or projects, contact us today. To request a quote, submit via the online form.
