Car parking stops are a great way to manage and control traffic. Whether it’s in a small privately owned car park or a commercial car park in a shopping centre, well placed parking stops can prevent unnecessary accidents from happening.
Investing in the appropriate signage and stops can clearly designate each parking space and reduce the risk of people coming back to find scratches and dents on their cars. Read on to find out about the different types of parking stops – and how they really can make parking a doddle.
Concrete wheel stops
Heavy duty and easy to install, concrete wheel stops are a popular choice for larger car parks. This is because they are relatively cheap – and they are also very stable once secured into place. They do a very good job of preventing vehicles from intruding into other people’s parking spots; however, their weight makes them difficult to transport.
Also, if they are installed outdoors and get constantly exposed to the sun, rain, snow and other natural elements they grow weak over time and can chip and crack away. These fragments may cause damage to vehicles by scratching the paintwork or puncturing tyres.
Rubber wheel stops
Rubber wheel stops similarly create a barrier that allows vehicles to be safely parked up against them and eradicate any over-run. They can also guide drivers into challenging parking spaces and subsequently manage parking in appropriate settings.
They can be installed in both indoor and outdoor parking areas, and their resistance to UV light, moisture, oil and chemical spills and extreme weather conditions makes them a particularly popular choice for outdoor use.
Many rubber stops are made from recycled tyres that have been dyed in easily visible colours. This makes them an environmentally friendly and durable option as the colours take a very long time to fade.
Plastic wheel stops
A very low-maintenance option, plastic wheel stops are strong, durable and highly resistant to chemicals and many adverse weather conditions. They are available in a wide variety of colours and designs, creating an attractive clean look that will not chip or crack.
The drawbacks to this option are that they can be more expensive than concrete parking stops, and they may melt when used outdoors in very hot climates.
Which size parking stop do I need?
Choosing the right size is vital or your parking stops will be ineffective..
Generally speaking, most UK car parking spaces are around 2.4 metres in width and 4.8 metres in length. Of course, some parking spaces such as parent and child, disabled and those specialised for lorries and buses can vary accordingly.
A good idea is to measure and make a note of the length and width of the parking spaces you require stops for. Then when you come to purchase the parking stops, you know exactly what you’re looking for to avoid disappointment upon delivery.
How do I install parking stops?
This depends on the type of parking stop you have chosen and the ground surface where it is to be installed. Most parking stops are supplied with the tools, bolts and instructions you need to secure them into the ground or car park surface. Often, this is a one-person job.
Concrete parking stops on the other hand are very heavy and sometimes have internal steel rods embedded for increased strength, and this adds to their weight. This makes carrying and positioning them a two-person job.
Easy parking without damage to vehicles can never be completely guaranteed but, by installing parking stops, you can make sure that there is a barrier between cars, kerbs and pedestrians for increased safety.
Author Bio: First Mats started life as safety matting specialists, but have since expanded to become a complete industrial and commercial supplies company. The focus of First Mats is to provide safety-focused products that improve the wellbeing of staff through quality approved products, backed up by extensive knowledge. www.firstmats.co.uk
