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Which is the Best Ground Anchor for Security - 90 Second Insight

In the next of our 90 Second Insight videos we consider: Which is the Best Ground Anchor?
We know how selecting the right security ground anchor can be confusing so we hope our latest bite-size video and this blog post will help.

Ground Anchor Types

Not all ground anchors are security ground anchors. Ground anchors, sometimes called earth anchors, are widely used in construction projects to stabilise ground conditions. These are often called Soil Screws or Soil Nails. Stabilising ground anchors are also widely used to secure construction equipment, such as cranes and scaffolding, to help prevent toppling. And ground anchors are also commonly used to secure outdoor play equipment, such as bouncy castles, to prevent nasty accidents.

Security Ground Anchors

We’ve previously highlighted the important role played by reliable security ground anchors. As noted in this post, the primary types of security anchor include:

• Screw in Ground Anchors
• Wall Anchors
• Bolt Down Ground Anchors
• Concrete-in Ground Anchors

Screw-in ground anchors are often used to secure play equipment, large tents, scaffolding and construction machinery. But they might also be used in security applications. These ground anchors resemble very large corkscrews which are screwed into soft ground.

Security Wall Anchors, such as our Shed Shackle, are designed to be attached to walls and many bolt-down ground anchors can be also used in this context.

There are two main types of security ground anchor that generally need to be considered, bolt-down ground anchors and concrete-in ground anchors. To select the Best Security Ground Anchor for any particular application there are three primary considerations:

1. What is the required level of security?
2. What is the size of the security chain that will be used with the ground anchor?
3. Where will the ground anchor will be installed?

1) What is the Required Level of Security?

There are a wide range of security ground anchors on the market today so its useful to have a reliable method for assessing their comparative strengths and weaknesses. Security products that have been tested and verified by an independent test house, such as Sold Secure, are always a good option. The rigorous assessments carried out by Sold Secure labs enable reliable comparisons with similar products allowing informed, optimum security product selection.

Sold Secure labs carry out rigorous security product appraisals to determine security ratings ranging from Sold Secure Bronze to Sold Secure Diamond. Read more about Sold Secure ratings in our guide.

A reliable security ground anchor needs to be matched with a security chain and padlock with similar security ratings. So if, for example, a security ground anchor with a Sold Secure rating of ‘Motorcycle Diamond’ is selected then it makes sense to also use a high security chain and padlock with the same security ratings.

Determining the required level of security immediately narrows down the selection of security ground anchors.

2) What Size of Security Ground Anchor is Needed?

Its vitally important to remember that the aperture size on the security ground anchor must be large enough to allow the security chain to pass through. High security chains tend to have larger link sizes, sometimes as big as 25mm, and this is far too large for many security ground anchors. It therefore makes sense to check and double-check your security chain and ground anchor aperture sizes to make certain they are compatible.

If you have any uncertainty regarding which chains work with which ground anchors we are always happy to provide advice and guidance.

3) Where will the Security Ground Anchor be Installed?

The next important security ground anchor selection question that needs to be answered is: where will it be installed?

We offer an extensive selection of both bolt-down and concrete-in security ground anchors. Bolt-down ground anchors are suitable for attaching to robust, concrete surfaces - such as the floor in a garage. High security bolt-down ground anchors are fixed to the concrete substrate using tough anchor bolts that are protected against tampering and removal, once installed.

If the ground surface isn’t a solid concrete base then the bolt-down style of ground anchor is probably not a good option and the concrete-in style of security ground anchor is likely to be more appropriate. This form of ground anchor requires the excavation of a cavity, large enough to accommodate the ground anchor, which is then solidly set in place with concrete.

Another important location-related consideration to keep in mind when deciding whether a bolt-down or concrete-in ground anchor is the best choice is the trip-hazard these security devices can present. Bolt-down ground anchors naturally aren’t flush with ground. This can make them unsuitable for use in some areas, such as spaces where children play. If a ground anchor is to be installed in an area where trip hazard is a concern then a concrete-in ground anchor is the most appropriate option. The best concrete-in ground anchors, such as our Big Boy, don’t protrude significantly above ground so they can be safely driven over and won’t cause a trip hazard.

Again, if you have any uncertainty over which type of ground anchor is right for where you want to install one, give us a call for some free guidance.

Insight Security Big Boy Ground Anchor

Our Big Boy high security ground anchor is a great example of the best that’s currently available. This widely respected ground anchor has achieved the highest possible Sold Secure Motorcycle Diamond security rating and received accolades from professionals in the motorcycling industry.

 An important design attribute of the Big Boy is that the anchor is telescopic. When not in use the anchor retracts into the ground making it entirely safe to drive over and doesn’t present any trip hazard.

But its important to note the size of the chain-guide aperture on the Big Boy means that, while it will comfortably accommodate a 16mm high security chain, there are only certain approved 19mm security chains that will work. And 25mm high security chains are not compatible with this ground anchor as the aperture isn`t large enough. 

A concrete-in ground anchor that works with beefy 25mm high security chains is the Sub Major Security U Anchor which has achieved the highest Sold Secure Ground Anchor Diamond rating. 

More Helpful Ninety Second Videos

If you would like to see more of our helpful ninety second videos pop over to our Youtube channel. We are busily producing more of these short, informative videos to answer many of the queries we routinely deal with and would love to hear what you think.

If you have any questions about security ground anchors, or if you have any special requirements, remember we are here to help. Give us a call on 01273 475500 and we’ll provide you with free, expert advice.

This message was added on Thursday 20th June 2024