The safety of your carwash, customers and employees is a significant part of running your business. In addition to best carwash practices and machinery maintenance, it’s also important to control traffic flow, and prevent cars from entering areas reserved for customers or attendees. Related Articles - How durable are ceramic coatings? - 5 critical considerations for carwash parking lot upkeep - The Benefits of Professional Car Detailing: Taking Your Vehicle to the Next Level
This is where bollards come in. Driveway Bollards
Here’s how to choose the right ones for your needs as a professional service.
Naturally, before you install bollards, you need to choose the type that suits your business.
There’s no need to stick to just one — a combination of a fixed-lighted bollard to protect the main building and pedestrians, and flexible bollards for vacuum and detailing stations could be what you need. However you use them, here are the options to pick from.
Fixed bollards are the best option for those looking for long-term security and protection from vehicle-based incidents. Some establishments using fixed bollards include government buildings, airports, stadiums and schools.
You can choose from various models, whether you want to mount the bollards on a surface or embed them in the ground.
These are most suitable for occasional access and traffic-flow control. You can remove the bollards mechanically or manually to make space for cars after an event or a temporary restriction of vehicle access.
Usually, a slot is installed in the ground where the bollard will stand. You can put the bollard in when necessary, then remove it and hide the hole with the ground-cover lid to protect pedestrians and vehicles.
Rising bollards are like security gates. They go up when you want them to and can retract to let cars pass through. Some are hydraulically powered, raising or retracting with key fobs or through remote control. These are usually for exits and entrances to the property.
Using a patented carbon-steel torsion spring, these bollards bend upon impact to alert a driver of a boundary. The point is to stop the vehicle instead of absorbing the blow. Flexible bollards can withstand repeated bumps because of their flexibility and ability to retain their shape.
These are excellent for the front of the carwash to prevent accidents and help people find your business.
Ready to start putting bollards up? Here are seven aspects you should think on before adding them in.
Your business will likely use bollards for the following reasons. Note which ones are most important to you:
To determine how many bollards you need, follow recommended practices for spacing. Generally, bollards should be between 36 to 60 inches apart — this stops an average-sized car from driving through the barricade.1
For singular spaces like a detailing section, you can place one flexible bollard in each parking spot to prevent vehicles from moving past the designated area. While it’s convenient to have a carwash near a shopping center or along a highway, you’ll need enough bollards to mark the area, and put a barrier between your establishment and other businesses.2
Consider where you need to place bollards for maximum safety. Where does the most traffic occur? Which areas need barriers to protect pedestrians and employees from potential accidents? How do you want to direct cars?
Bollards should adhere to U.S. State Department laws for higher pedestrian security. A K4 bollard will stop an impact from a 15,000-pound vehicle at 30 mph, while a K8 will stop the car at 40 mph and K12 at 50 mph.3
They should also adhere to the American Society for Testing and Material standards F3016. A bollard should be able to withstand the impact of a 5,000-pound vehicle in order to be considered high quality.Look for ones with S10 (10 mph), S20 (20 mph) or S30 (30 mph) ratings.
Most times, bollard installation requires some drilling to prepare the space. To make a level base, you must remove any hazards like gas lines or pipes. The area should also be spotless before installation, so use a pressure washer or air blower to clean up after drilling concrete or other types of residue. Vacuuming to remove excess moisture is also recommended. 6. Installation Type
Installation processes differ based on several factors. If you already have concrete, you must drill into the ground to place the bollards. New concrete will require different methods, like embedding bollards while builders pour the mixture or installing anchor castings.
Most likely, your carwash is established and needs to use methods that work around existing concrete, including:
When you choose your bollard type, learn its maintenance procedures so you’re ready when the time comes. While flexible bollards rarely need replacing, fixed and retractable bollards may need reinstallation after a car bumps into them, since they may crumble or bend permanently after impact.
Consider how you can protect bollards from corrosion and weather damage, such as a zinc coating to protect them from rain and snow. Maintenance includes regular cleaning to remove dust and residue from the cleaning process.
A full-serve wash will benefit from bollards to provide safe spaces for vacuuming, detailing, and finishing work in areas where people and cars are moving. When installing bollards at your carwash, you need to consider their purpose, installation techniques, the number you need and how to maintain them after installation.
Sources: 1 https://www.dot.ny.gov/portal/pls/portal/mexis_app.pa_ei_eb_admin_app.show_pdf?id=12877 2 https://modded.com/cars/entrepreneurial-ventures-for-car-lovers/ 3 https://www.tymetal.com/anti-ram-barriers/
Oscar Collins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Modded, where he writes about cars, car trends and auto news. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.
Rust-proofing and detailing services can be extremely beneficial in helping prevent damage to a car, thus extending its lifespan.
As the weather starts to warm up, many car owners turn their attention to spring cleaning and maintenance. Getting a carwash is just the beginning for ensuring your vehicle’s health this spring.
One of the most overlooked aspects of the automotive spring-cleaning process is protecting your vehicle from rust and corrosion, especially if you live in an area that experienced harsh winter weather. Rust-proofing and detailing services can be extremely beneficial in helping prevent damage to your car, thus extending its lifespan.
This article will guide you through the essential steps needed to start a carwash, from conducting market research and developing a business plan to acquiring equipment, hiring staff, and marketing your business.
The 7th biannual Women in Carwash conference was held Jan. 15-17 in Fort Lauderdale.
What should aspiring business owners know about operating a carwash?
Innovation is now the name of the game.
How to succeed in the competitive professional carwashing industry.
Ladder Safety Month may be over, but safe ladder usage is not.
CORTLAND, N.Y. — Electronic guide makes it easy to find EV lifting point information.
Consider everything from water-resistance to comfort.
Boat Bollard Helping carwash owners and operators manage and grow a thriving business