Category Archive: Uncategorized
Bollards are Becoming a Residential Must-Have
Every night in Canada, people go to bed with a worry: more and more cars are getting stolen. In Toronto, about 30 cars are taken every day. It’s a big problem that feels very close to home. But there’s good news! Putting special posts called bollards in front of your house can help keep your car safe. The Toronto Police Service says these bollards are a great idea. They’re not just for looks; they really work to stop thieves from taking your car.
Police Say Yes to Bollards
When police officers like PC Timothy Somers from the Toronto Police talk about bollards on X (which used to be called Twitter), it means they really believe in them. They say bollards make thieves think twice before trying to steal a car because they’re hard to get past. It’s like having an extra strong fence just for your car.
Bollards Can Look Good
Putting bollards in doesn’t mean your house will look ugly. There are lots of cool designs that make your place look even better. Some bollards can even move up and down so you can hide them when you don’t need them. This way, your house stays looking nice while still keeping your car safe.
Everyone Working Together
Choosing to put bollards in front of your house is not just about keeping your own car safe. It’s about helping everyone in your neighborhood be safer. When lots of people use bollards, it makes it harder for thieves to steal cars from anyone. It shows that when we all work together, we can make our homes safer.
Taking Steps to Keep Safe
With more cars being stolen in Canada, it’s smart to think about ways to keep your car safe. Bollards are more than just about stopping car theft; they help keep your whole home safe. It’s important to think about ways to protect ourselves and our things, starting with what we can do right outside our homes.
To learn more about how bollards can keep your car safe, check out drivewaybollards.ca. It’s a good place to start making sure your car and home are protected.
5 Actions to Take When Your Vehicle is Stolen: A Comprehensive Guide
In an unfortunate event where your vehicle is stolen, the mixture of panic, confusion, and a sense of violation can be overwhelming. Vehicle theft is not just a loss of a valuable asset; it’s a breach of personal security. This guide aims to outline the critical steps you should take immediately after discovering your vehicle has been stolen, helping you navigate this challenging situation.
- Report the Theft to the Police
The first and most crucial step is to contact the police. Reporting the theft immediately can significantly increase the chances of recovering your vehicle. You will need to provide the police with details such as your vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate number, and any unique features. This report is not only vital for investigation purposes but also necessary for insurance claims.
- Notify Your Auto Insurance Company
Informing your insurance company about the theft as soon as possible is essential. They will guide you through the process of filing a claim. Be prepared to provide them with the police report number, your vehicle information, and any personal items that were inside the car. Understanding your policy’s coverage will also give you an idea of what to expect in terms of compensation or replacement.
- Alert Your Local Community and Utilize Social Media
In today’s connected world, social media and community networks can be powerful tools in spreading the word about your stolen vehicle. Post a description and picture of your car on local community groups and social media platforms. The more people are aware, the higher the chances of someone recognizing and reporting your vehicle.
- Secure Your Home and Personal Information
If your stolen vehicle had personal documents, house keys, or access to your home, take immediate steps to secure your personal information and property. This might include changing locks, updating security systems, and monitoring your financial accounts for unusual activities. Protecting your personal information is crucial in preventing further losses.
- Contact Ontario Bollards for Enhanced Vehicle Security
After dealing with the immediate aftermath of vehicle theft, it’s time to think about preventative measures. Ontario Bollards specializes in providing residential bollards that are effective in deterring vehicle theft. Our anti-tamper, corrosion-resistant residential bollards offer an advanced layer of security to your property. We ensure that our installations are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, blending with your landscape. To learn more about securing your property and preventing future thefts, reach out to us at info@ontariobollards.com or visit our website at www.ontariobollards.com.
Dealing with vehicle theft is challenging, but taking these essential steps can help mitigate the situation and prevent future incidents. Remember, being proactive about vehicle security is the best defense. At Ontario Bollards, we are committed to providing solutions that safeguard your vehicles and give you peace of mind. Don’t wait for the unexpected; enhance your vehicle’s security today.
Residential Bollards: Ensuring Your Vehicle’s Safety from Theft
At Ontario Bollards, our main focus is on understanding and implementing comprehensive security measures for vehicles at residential properties. We have found that preventing vehicle theft extends beyond just the vehicle’s own security system. The landscape and structural design of a property play a pivotal role in this regard, serving as an integral part of a holistic security strategy.
The Rising Threat of Vehicle Theft
Vehicle theft in Ontario is a growing concern. With a car stolen every 14 minutes and a staggering 48% increase in thefts since 2022, homeowners are urgently seeking effective ways to protect their vehicles. The majority of these thefts are sophisticated operations linked to organized crime, targeting high-value vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Lexus RX Series, and Dodge RAM, to name a few. Even if your vehicle is recovered (under 4% chance), there is often thousands of dollars in damage, highlighting the need for preventive measures.
The Path of Least Resistance
Thieves typically opt for the easiest target. A common tactic is to steal a vehicle right from the owner’s driveway, exploiting any vulnerable point for a quick getaway. This is where residential bollards become essential. They create a physical barrier that makes it nearly impossible for thieves to drive off with your vehicle, even if they manage to start it.
Integrating Bollards into Residential Security
Ontario Bollards specializes in assessing each property to identify and fortify any vulnerable spots. A typical site assessment will consist of walking the property, taking measurements for proper bollard quantity and layout, and determining if there are any additional areas that require protection. We offer a full turn-key service which ensures that even if a vehicle is started, there is nowhere on the property a thief can escape with your vehicle. The most popular way to supplement your bollard protection and remove any vulnerabilities is by placing a decorative armour stone. These function as both aesthetic and functional deterrents.
Bollard Offerings and Features
Our range of bollards, including fixed, removable, retractable, semi-automatic, and automatic types, are specifically designed for residential environments. They are crafted from stainless steel to withstand harsh Canadian winters and are resistant to corrosion from salt, snow, and ice. The manual retractable bollards operate with a custom key, allowing homeowners to lower and raise them easily. Our automatic retractable bollards go a step further, with key fob and app operation featuring 256-bit military-grade encryption, ensuring maximum security.
Winter Performance and Durability
Understanding the Canadian climate, our bollards are equipped with a heating element rated to -40C, ensuring functionality even in the harshest winter conditions. They are installed in a 50″ deep hole with 8″ of gravel which allows for adequate drainage.
Aesthetic Integration
Besides their functional benefits, our bollards are designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property. They serve as a visual deterrent to potential thieves while complementing the overall landscape design.
Conclusion
In conclusion, residential bollards are an effective, aesthetic, and increasingly necessary element in safeguarding vehicles against theft. They ensure that even if a thief manages to start your vehicle, there’s no feasible escape route off your property. With our expertise and range of bollard solutions, we provide homeowners not just security, but peace of mind. Remember, when it comes to vehicle security, being proactive is the only way to avoid an incident.
Contact info@ontariobollards.com for your quote today!
Understanding the Importance of the Bollard Rating System
In the dynamic realm of building security, the role of security bollards as formidable barriers against vehicular threats cannot be overstated. As the demand for effective protective measures grows, professionals in the building security industry must navigate the intricate world of bollard ratings to fortify structures with precision. This article delves into the bollard rating system and explains the importance of various K and M ratings and provides real-world examples that underscore the significance of each parameter.
Bollard Rating System Overview
The bollard rating system is a meticulous framework designed to assess and categorize the performance of security bollards in real-world scenarios. It encompasses a spectrum of factors, including strength, safety, and impact resistance, to provide a holistic understanding of a bollard’s capabilities to stop moving vehicles at various speeds of impact. Typical standards are based on measuring how a bollard stands up to a 15,000-pound medium sized truck moving at speeds from 30 to 50 mph at impact.
Example: Ontario Bollards recently conducted crash tests of a 15,000-pound flat bed truck colliding with our M-30 bollard at speeds of 30mph which resulted in a zero penetration result of the truck’s payload area. This would categorize the M-30 bollard with a P1 certification rating. Click here to view crash test video.
Bollard Strength Assessment
At the core of the rating system is the bollard strength assessment, a process that involves rigorous crash tests simulating potential threats. These tests evaluate a bollard’s ability to withstand impact forces, considering variables such as vehicle speeds and impact angles. The results are translated into the M-rating system that classifies bollards based on their resistance to impact. For more information on crash testing refer to our bollard testing partner Calspan.
Vehicle Impact Protection
The rating system introduces specific metrics such as M-rating and K-rating to address the diverse range of vehicular threats. Originally developed by the United States Department of Defence (DOD) back in the 80’s, the “K-rating” system was the standard for measuring the strength and resiliency of bollards. In 2003, post 9/11 concerns around terrorism and the use of vehicles as ramming weapons saw a revision to the K-rating standards that became the industry excepted norm.
More recently the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has established the “M-rating” system that is now the standard and accepted certification internationally. While the systems are similar, and K-rating is still often referred to in the industry there are differences primarily around vehicle penetration distances. M-ratings range from P1 for less than 3.3 ft of payload penetration to P4 for any vehicle whose payload penetrates beyond 98.4 ft from impact.
Example: Imagine a bustling urban environment where a facility faces the risk of both compact cars and larger delivery trucks posing potential threats. In such a scenario, an M30-rated bollard strategically placed can provide a comprehensive defense against a spectrum of vehicular threats. Learn more here: https://ontariobollards.com/blog/k-rated-bollards-vs-m-rated-bollards/
Customer Safety Considerations
Ensuring the safety of store occupants and the surrounding environment is paramount in bollard design and implementation. The rating system accounts for factors such as the potential for vehicle penetration and the risk of debris projection during an impact. Safety ratings guide security professionals in selecting bollards that not only repel threats but also minimize the likelihood of collateral damage from deliberate or accidental vehicular ramming.
Example: Consider a scenario of a high-traffic location such as coffee shop or convenience store that experience a steady flow of pedestrian walk-in traffic. The implementation of bollards with high safety ratings ensures that, in the event of a vehicle impact such as brake failure, driver error or deliberate “smash and grab” robberies, the risk of injury to pedestrians and the surrounding infrastructure is significantly reduced. For statistics and more information visit the Storefront Safety Council website at www.storefrontsafety.org
Bollard Impact Resistance
A crucial aspect of the rating system is the evaluation of a bollard’s impact resistance. This encompasses an assessment of the materials used in construction, design features, and overall structural integrity. Bollards are assigned ratings that reflect their performance in scenarios where impact resistance is paramount, aiding security professionals in selecting solutions tailored to their facility’s unique requirements. The majority of bollards provided by Ontario Bollards are constructed with stainless steel which ensures durability and corrosion resistance. Refer to this article for more details about stainless steel bollards.
Example: Picture a municipal or government building that has to project a professional and aesthetic entranceway but is also vulnerable to potential vehicular attacks. Stainless steel bollards with high impact resistance ratings, strategically placed at vulnerable access points, act as a robust deterrent against unauthorized vehicle penetration while still blending with modern architecture.
Types Of Bollards
Understanding the diverse types of bollards is essential for tailoring security measures to specific scenarios. The rating system accommodates various bollard types, including fixed, removable, and retractable options. Each type serves a distinct purpose, and the rating system empowers security professionals to choose the most suitable option based on the unique security challenges of each location.
Example: In a mixed-use development where traffic flow requirements vary throughout the day, retractable bollards with adjustable bollards provide the flexibility needed to balance security and accessibility.
Conclusion
As the security landscape continues to evolve, the bollard rating system stands as a beacon of precision, guiding professionals in the building security industry toward tailored protective measures. By considering factors such as strength, safety, and impact resistance, the rating system empowers security experts to make informed decisions that not only deter potential threats but also prioritize the safety of occupants and the surrounding environment. In a world where security is non-negotiable, the bollard rating system emerges as an indispensable tool, seamlessly integrating into the broader strategy of safeguarding buildings and facilities with precision and efficacy.
For more information Contact Shawn Lowry at https://ontariobollards.com/contact-us/
Bollards are sturdy vertical poles that act as a protective barrier against vehicles. They can protect opposing traffic patterns from accidents, buildings from out of control drivers, or pedestrians from automobile traffic. While some bollards are permanent, many applications require removable or retractable bollards for more versatility.
Which Solution Should You Choose?
Removable bollards have a buried receiver underground that holds the barrier securely until it is no longer needed. They can restrict areas for pedestrians, then allow free access again when the bollard post is removed and stored for the day. Retractable bollards are a more convenient option for security access. They quickly rise to restrict vehicles until access is approved, then retract into their base to allow entry.
Although each is best suited for different applications, both removable and retractable bollards provide many advantages.
Removable Bollards
These heavy-duty posts are designed for temporary restricted entry. Removable bollards enhance safety in parking lots or anywhere that pedestrians are close to vehicle traffic. Built to last, they are heat and weather resistant, require little maintenance, and can be upgraded for additional safety and aesthetic features.
Retractable Bollards
Retractable bollards are a convenient medium to heavy-duty temporary barrier. They are an economical and flexible solution to reduce or redirect traffic to keep pedestrians safe. Retractable bollards also feature fast lift and lower operations, which is highly efficient in emergency situations.
Applications & Sites
Removable bollards are found in a variety of locations and applications, including:
- Parking lots/structures. Removable bollards can deter car thieves, protect parked vehicles from traffic, or restrict parking to certain areas.
- Retail storefronts/entrances. When parking is in front of buildings, crash rated bollards can protect against accidental acceleration or brake failure during store hours, with the option to remove them at other times.
- Traffic flow control. Removable bollards are convenient to separate traffic flow, such as parking lots or access roads.
- Car dealerships. Bollards can be easily removed for aesthetics and traffic flow during the day, then put out at night to prevent vehicle theft.
- Loading areas. Removable bollards can quickly and securely section off areas for safe loading and unloading of trucks, buses, or trailers.
- Schools use removable bollards to direct traffic during pickup and drop off, as well as to provide a safe area for children to walk.
Automatic retractable bollards are another alternative to safeguard pedestrians and buildings, such as:
- Government and public buildings. Areas requiring high security for government officials, dignitaries, or even prisoners may use retractable bollards.
- Hotels and high-profile buildings. High profile buildings will use retractable bollards for celebrity arrivals or during times of high traffic.
- Busways use retractable bollards to deter traffic and create dedicated lanes.
- Shopping centers. Retractable bollards give the flexibility to section off areas for package pickup during holidays or special events.
- City squares and pedestrian malls. Attendees of festivals, concerts, and other special events can be conveniently protected by retractable bollards.
- Dedicated pedestrian areas and parks. Adults and children can walk and play without looking for vehicles when retractable bollards are used in these areas.
- Car parks. Retractable bollards provide easy ingress and egress, as well as security for the vehicles.
- Business parks. Business parks can provide safe spaces for employees to walk between buildings.
- University campuses. Campuses can safeguard students from careless drivers and section off event space when necessary.
Bollard Solutions from Ontario Bollards
Bollards offer a convenient and effective way to restrict access and protect people, vehicles, and buildings against impact. The difference between removable and retractable bollards comes down to cost, features, aesthetics, security level, and the time required to put them up or take them down.
At Ontario Bollards, we offer everything from anti-terrorism barriers to flexible polyurethane bollards and many varieties in between. To determine the right bollard for your application, contact us or request a quote today to speak to our experienced staff.
