As a business owner, you’re inundated on a daily basis with the numerous risks and liabilities that come with business ownership. As your business grows and your footprint increases, those risks are multiplied. One area where security often falls short is storefront safety initiatives. From preventing foot traffic from absconding with valuable assets to protecting employees and customers alike, having the right strategies in place is essential–and bollards are an important part of any comprehensive plan. In this article, we’ll discuss why bollards should be included as part of your company’s overall approach to mitigate risk and increase efficiency while protecting both property and personnel against unexpected accidents or intentional incidents.
The Importance of Storefront Safety
At times overlooked, storefront safety is a real issue for many businesses these days. In fact, the storefront safety council sites that 24% of all storefront safety occurrences happen to retail stores accounting for one of the largest sectors of storefront damage. The council also reported that storefront safety incidents are taking place at a rate of 100 per day, injuring 16,000 annually and resulting in 2.600 deaths per year. Staggering numbers that made even more staggering when you think that these types of accidents are 100% preventable.
Aside from the safety implications, the cost savings you see upon installing bollards come from escaping costly repairs resulting from vehicles intentionally and unintentionally damaging your property, vandalism, costly and significant downtime to your business, and potential payouts to victims and their families. In 2022, 7-11 had a $91 million settlement for a storefront accident on one of its properties. This monumental settlement came in part because it was found that 7-11 had not done enough due diligence to protect its employees or customers from storefront incidents, such as implementing bollard protection.
What are bollards and how can they help protect your business from vehicle-related risks
Keeping your business safe from unexpected vehicle-related risks can be mitigated by the installation of safety bollards to your storefront. Powerhouse’s storefront safety bollard rollout programs are a reliable and efficient way to mitigate the potential damages caused by these types of events. Not only is this rollout program relatively simple to implement, but bollards drastically reduce the amount of risk associated with unexpected events should they occur. By preventing vehicular access on your premises, you can ensure the safety of clients and employees, safeguarding your business from harm. Whether it’s vandalism, terrorism, or an everyday auto incident, bollards protect against any threat. Providing premium bollard products and rollout services through it’s multi-site enhancement division, Powerhouse is committed to delivering the best in storefront safety and risk mitigation for businesses nationwide.
The Benefits of Installing Bollards for Your Storefront
Investing in bollards to protect your storefront is an essential risk mitigation and customer safety measure while providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional security solutions. Bollards are an affordable way of deterring ram raiding, vehicle theft, and break-ins, as well as any general public risk, such as accidental collisions caused by drivers or incidents involving mopeds. By installing bollards around the perimeter of a commercial property, you can be sure that both customers and employees alike will remain safe from potential threats.When choosing bollard placements, Powerhouse will diligently survey your properties to pinpoint high-traffic, high-probable ares posing the highest threat and need for bollard placement and create a custom installation plan that will diligently and quickly deliver a seamless rollout program according to your specifications.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Type of Bollard for Your Business
As a business owner, selecting the right type of bollard for your storefront can be an important decision. With the goal of mitigating risk around your building’s perimeter, bollards can help create a secure and safe environment. However, choosing the right size, shape and material is key for the most effective security. It is important to consider any potential risks, such as vehicle-related threats or pedestrian management needs when making this selection. Depending on the context of your property and specific security needs, your choice should reflect both aesthetic purposes as well as impact strength needed to stop high-speed intrusions. Security consultants with Powerhouse can help you select a product that meets your requirements while also helping manage expectations regarding installation costs and overall safety measures. Looking into all options upfront before implementing any storefront safety initiatives will ensure security goals are met with satisfaction in mind.
When deciding on the look of your storefront security solution, our team will work with you to take into account both color and aesthetics. A great way to begin is to consider how the color and aesthetics chosen will blend in with the existing decor. Bollards come in a range of colors and styles so it is important to select one that will best suit your atmosphere while still fulfilling its duty when required. Additionally, throughout the selection process be sure to keep safety as your top priority. Different colors, materials, heights, sizes can all impact how secure an area is; if done correctly bollards can minimize risks without compromising a store’s aesthetic appeal. The most secure option often involves an underground installation or having specially designed bollards made; Nevertheless, a little research goes a long way in determining which color and aesthetic best fits a store’s needs. Powerhouse’s expert rollout team will keep these points in mind when deciding on what kind of security solution makes sense for your business!
Best Practices for Installation and Maintenance of Commercial Bollards
Throughout your rollout program with Powerhouse your team will keep best practices for the installation and maintenance of commercial bollards in mind. This means thoroughly assessing the environment and determining the appropriate size, type and quantity of bollards needed to mitigate risk. Generally, it is recommended that bollards be close together with no more than 36 inches between them, mounted flush with the ground surface, checked routinely for cracks or damage, and painted in a high-visibility color. When it comes to bollard installation, proper preparation is key – footing pads should be used when installing above-ground bollards; core drill holes need to be dug over four feet deep if installing below ground models; securing bolts should meet manufacturers’ specifications; and nuts should be tightened securely to ensure the integrity of the anchor system. As a result of following best practices on installation and regularly maintained thereafter, you can ensure your commercial property is secure with fewer surprises down the line.
Common Types of Bollards Used in Storefront Safety Applications
Storefront safety initiatives such as Powerhouse’s Bollard Rollout program to improve storefront safety is a great way to reduce liability and create a safe environment for customers and employees. Although an initial investment for your business, in the long run the savings could be game changing. The team at Powerhouse
Powerhouse’s unparalleled rollout capabilities keep you in the driver’s seat and your competitors on their toes. Powerhouse’s superior rollout reputation is built on the consistent, on-time delivery of rollout programs that are seamlessly completed according to specification. We get the job done quickly and efficiently without sacrificing quality. Our proprietary real-time data management system, Infinity, helps us manage programs to ensure consistency and compliance at each site. Powerhouse delivers best-in-class communication and reporting visibility throughout the program.
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