Melbourne Bollards

Melbourne Bollards

Every year, thousands of pedestrians are killed and injured by motorists throughout the nation, most especially in Melbourne. In fact, over 4000 pedestrians are killed yearly by motor vehicles. This figure represents 11% of all deaths involving motor vehicles. In 2015, 773 bicyclists were killed and an additional 44,000 were injured in traffic accidents. For bicyclists in Melbourne alone, its estimated that the annual cost of bicycle related injuries and deaths are around $8 billion.

Today people want to walk, ride bikes, shop, go out to eat, go to school and do other activities without the fear of bodily harm. As a business owner or property owner in Melbourne, the legal and financial responsibility of not protecting pedestrians from injury or death is overwhelming and could bankrupt the owner. As an owner of a business or property, there are many sensible locations that need pedestrian vehicle protection.

Our of the most effective and economical ways to protect pedestrians from vehicles is the use of bollards. While bollards have demonstrated their efficiency in protecting pedestrians from injury or death, most communities and businesses are conservative in their use until an injury or death has occurred. 

What is a Bollard?

A bollard is a short vertical post. Early bollards were used for mooring large ships at dock, and they are still in use today. A typical marine bollard is produced in cast iron or steel and shaped somewhat like a mushroom; the enlarged top is designed to prevent mooring ropes from slipping off.

Today, the word bollard also describes a variety of structures used on streets around buildings, and in landscaping. According to legend, the first street bollards were actually cannons – sometimes said to be captured enemy weapons, planted in the ground as boundary posts and town markers. When the supply of former cannons was used up, similarly shaped iron castings were made to fulfil the same functions. Bollards have since evolved into many varieties that are widely employed on roads, especially in urban areas, as well as outside supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, shops, government buildings and stadiums.

The most common type of bollard is fixed. The simplest is an anaesthetic steel post about 914 tо 1219 mm (36 tо 48 in.) above ground. Specifically, manufactured bollards include not only simple posts, but also a wide variety of decorative designs. Some feature square or rectangular cross-sections, but most are cylindrical, sometimes with a domed, angled, or flat cap. They come in a variety of metallic, painted, and durable power coat finishes.

Removable bollards are used where the need to limit access or direct traffic changes occasionally. Both retractable and fold-down styles are employed where selective entry is frequently needed and are designed so the bollard can be easily collapsed to ground level and quickly re-erected. Retractable units may be manually operated or automated with hydraulic movements. Movable bollards are large, heavy objects – frequently stone or concrete that rely of their weight rather than structural anchoring to stay in place. They are designed to be moved rarely, and then only with heavy machinery such as a forklift.

Bоllаrdѕ gеnеrаllу fall into three types of applications:

  1. Decorative Bollards - Decorative bollards for architectural аnd/or landscaping highlights
  2. Traffic and Safety Bollards – Bollards that provide asset аnd pedestrian safety, as well аѕ traffic direction
  3. Security Bollards and Post Covers – Decorative, impact resistant bollard enhancements.

Types of Bоllаrdѕ based on Materials

  • Steel

Steel is an iron alloy that is lighter and more impact resistant than cast or ductile iron. Structural grade steel is often used in security bollards filled with concrete. Standard Steel is also commonly used to create decorative bollards for standalone applications, or bollard covers in security bollard installations. Usually, steel bollards are machined form prefabricated materials rather than cast. If steel is going to be exposed, it is usually powder coated to make it durable and protect against corrosion.

  • Stainless Steel

 Stainless Steel Bollards have a sleek, functional, contemporary look. They have a high level of weather resistance and can be used in application where weather is a concern. The metal can be left exposed in its distinguished silver-grey or can be powder-coated with colour to fit in with the surrounding aesthetic.

  • Cast Iron

Cast iron is the most common material from which traditionally styled bollards are constructed. It is durable and is a well-loved traditional material for ornamentation and enhancement to architecture, which makes it a great choice for many applications. Cast iron bollards are heavy enough to be used in standalone applications or can be used as covers for steel and concrete security posts. Standard cast iron is not as malleable as ductile iron, and is more susceptible to cracking, but provides cost advantages.

Flexible or bendable bollards are made from composite or polyurethane materials that typically require little in terms of maintenance and care. This makes them useful in areas where they are likely to be accidentally bumped by cars (such as parking garages).

Bollard covers fit over the top of concrete-filled steel pipe bollards and are used for highlighting and protection. Bollard covers are available in several materials, designs, colours and sizes.

Wrapping Up

On both commercial and residential properties in Melbourne, bollards have much to offer. Architectural features, security and traffic control are all enhanced when bollards are brought into the design process as early as possible. With many sizing, colour and decorative options available, finding the right bollard type to make the outdoor function and features of a property safer and aesthetically pleasing is simple.

TKO Bollards serve and work with businesses Australia Wide and can supply Bollards for your local Melbourne Business. In addition to supplying, we are able to manufacture bollards, remove bollards and install bollards in Melbourne and other surrounding areas. We understand that it could be hard to find the right security solution, so TKO Bollards have a team of Bollard experts and technicians ready to talk to you. We understand Bollards come in all shapes and sizes, so call us today or send us your drawings and we’ll take the hassle out of your problem. Contact our national team on 1300 258 456

 

Why choose TKO Bollards?

What differentiates us from our competitors is that we manufacture all our bollards in Australia, so we have complete control over the whole bollard process, from manufacturing to the powder coating and the completion of the bollard. We also have quality processes put in place, are an ISO 9001 company and we are certified Australian Made. 

If you're a business that's based in Melbourne and are looking for a bollard that lasts, choose TKO Bollards. If you can't find the bollard that you want on our site, we can also design and customise your Bollards to specification. 

 

Contact us right away for more information about our services.