Solving Car Park Safety Challenges at Highcare Childcare, Co. Cork

Ensuring the utmost safety for children is paramount for any childcare facility. Highcare Childcare, a leading childcare centre in An Caisleán, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, recognised a specific challenge within their car park that required an innovative safety upgrade. Their goal was to create a more secure environment for children and parents, particularly in an area where vehicle movements and pedestrian pathways intersected.

The Challenge: Protecting Pedestrians in a Busy Car Park

The layout of Highcare Childcare's car park presented a unique safety concern. Car parking spaces were situated perpendicular to a main pedestrian pathway running alongside the school entrance. This configuration meant that vehicles entering or exiting their bays could potentially encroach onto the pathway, posing a significant risk of injury to children and adults walking on the kerb. A solution was needed to clearly define safe zones and prevent vehicles from moving too far.

The IPL group Solution: A Dual-Layered Approach to Safety

Working closely with Highcare Childcare, IPL group devised a comprehensive two-layer safety system using their exclusive X-Last® Pencil Bollards and robust Parking Separators. This combination offered both a physical barrier and a tactile warning system, significantly enhancing pedestrian safety.

Layer 1: The Parking Separator - The First Line of Defence

The first layer of protection involved the strategic placement of durable Parking Separators. These were installed on the ground, a short distance from the kerb, acting as an immediate physical stop for vehicles. Should a driver attempt to move beyond the designated parking bay, the separator would prevent further movement, thereby eliminating the risk of a vehicle backing or driving onto the pedestrian pathway.

Layer 2: X-Last® Pencil Bollards (Bolt-Down) - Advanced Kerb Protection

Complementing the parking separators, X-Last® Pencil Bollards (Bolt-Down) were installed directly on the kerb along the pedestrian pathway. These visually distinctive bollards serve multiple crucial functions:

• Visual Alert: Their bright, pencil-style design instantly captures the attention of drivers, providing a clear visual cue about the proximity of the pedestrian area.
• Tactile Warning & Rebound Technology: Exclusively available from IPL group, X-Last® bollards are engineered from a unique combination of composite polymers and reinforcing nanoparticles. This innovative material provides exceptional strength and resistance. If a vehicle with a longer overhang (such as a reversing car with extended rear or a van moving forward) makes contact, the bollard's inherent rigidity will provide a distinct tactile alert to the driver, indicating they can move no further. Crucially, the X-Last material also flexes under impact, ensuring the bollard returns 100% to its original shape without damage to itself or the vehicle.

Seamless Installation by Omni Instruments

The successful implementation of this safety solution was carried out by IPL group's trusted partner, Omni Instruments. As experts in their field, Omni Instruments provided end-to-end installation services, ensuring the precise and secure placement of both the Parking Separators and X-Last® Pencil Bollards. Their meticulous approach guaranteed that the safety system was integrated seamlessly into Highcare Childcare's car park, ready to provide immediate and effective protection.

The Superiority of X-Last® Technology

The X-Last® Pencil Bollards used at Highcare Childcare embody cutting-edge material science. Developed in conjunction with Sabacaucho, these bollards are designed to optimise both rigidity and flexibility. Key advantages include:

• Extreme Durability: Built to withstand the rigours of urban applications and continuous wear and tear.
• 100% Rust-Proof: Impervious to corrosion, making them ideal for the varying Irish climate and ensuring a long lifespan with minimal maintenance.
• Superior Rebound: Their ability to bend under force and return to original shape after impact significantly reduces repair costs and downtime compared to traditional, rigid bollards.
• Low Head Impact Criterion (HIC): X-Last® bollards boast a low HIC, making them exceptionally suitable for pedestrian spaces and cycle routes, enhancing safety in the event of human contact.
• Environmental Benefits: These bollards have a 50% lower environmental impact than conventional steel bollards.
• Customisable Aesthetics: Available in a range of RAL colours and complemented with a decorative eraser-style top, they seamlessly blend functionality with a child-friendly aesthetic.
• Certified Safety: Suitable for roadside installation as passively safe to EN12767 100NE4 and CE marked to EN12899-4, meeting stringent UK and European safety standards.

Outcome: A Safer Environment for Highcare Childcare

The implementation of this dual-layer safety system has profoundly impacted Highcare Childcare. The combination of Parking Separators and X-Last® Pencil Bollards has effectively mitigated the risk of vehicles encroaching on pedestrian areas. Drivers receive clear visual cues and immediate, non-damaging tactile feedback, creating a far safer, more organised, and reassuring environment for the children, parents, and staff of Highcare Childcare. This project exemplifies how thoughtful design and superior product technology can create practical and effective safety solutions for busy, child-focused environments.

IPL group are the exclusive suppliers of X-Last® bollards in Ireland and Poland.