Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for please contact us on 08 9248 5545

+ Are ZERO WASTE Foundations Approved by Road Authorities?

Yes ZERO WASTE Foundations are approved for use by all Australian Road Authorities. No other device is approved nationally.

+ Where can I buy ZERO WASTE Foundations?

Click here to buy

+ Why so cheap?

People of ten ask, if they last forever, why are they so cheap? No item of infrastructure (even if not impacted by vehicles) will a last the entire life of a development without fading, rusting or simply growing tired and requiring replacement.  We wanted to ensure it was financially viable to secure all items on ZERO WASTE Foundations so entire developments could be made waste-free. We spent many years and a great deal of money on manufacturing processes that reduce the price and increase the quality of product and to show our dedication, we have not increased our pricing in over twenty years and still manufacture locally.

+ What size post can be secured using ZERO WASTE Foundations?

ZERO WASTE Foundations can be used to secure:

1. 60 OD posts
2. Larger diameter bollards (150-168 mm Diameter Steel, Stainless steel or Advanced Polymer) use the Impact Recovery System to secure them on the ZERO WASTE Foundations
3. 114 mm Columns (Traffic Light columns)

You can secure anything from a small cafe table (making it stable) to signage, roadside infrastructure, bollards, fencing - even large football posts, flagpoles, sports equipment and traffic light columns

+ What depth socket should I use? 

NB: The ground socket is an impact absorbing protective shield that protects the foundations from damage when an item is impacted and makes items removable from the concrete foundation- it will not affect the size foundation required. The base must be made large enough to ensure it remains upright when the item is impacted.

The size base really depends on the soil conditions, the size of the item, wind conditions and potential impact force (slower speed impact is actually worse than high speed as the post bend much easier upon high-speed impact). 

• 150 mm sockets are for securing small items such as small signage on solid concrete traffic islands or footpaths, small barriers, bins, street furniture secured to solid concrete or asphalt foundations
• 350 mm is standard depth used for most applications used to secure any post, bin, bollard, barrier or item of street furniture (you can secure foundation to road-base or asphalt, and can bell out the concrete base to improve stability)
• 650 mm is used for large items such as large signage, large statues, football posts and large bollards installed using stand-alone foundations secured into soil (cannot be secured to existing concrete or asphalt foundation)

+ What do you mean by sustainable?

Sustainable means the ability to endure and to United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future"

ABLE TO ENDURE Unless we improve the resilience of our cities and reduce the consumption of concrete, with rapid urbanisation this work will grow increasingly  dangerous and with fast depleting resources it will be  almost impossible for future generations to repair the roads, and like most sci-fi movies depict, our cities will fall into a state of disrepair

FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE ZERO damage means there are ZERO ongoing costs for repeated repairs (financially sustainable) for the next 100 years. It's not rocket science- you re-use the footing, you save the cost of repeatedly replacing it.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE Concrete resources are re-used for the next 100 years with no ongoing consumption and ZERO ongoing carbon intensive waste for the next 100 years.

+ What happens when items are impacted?

If impacted posts bend at ground level and are simply levered out using the foot tool or base of the industrial tool.  If a post is sheared off there's a tool for that!

+ How do posts lock into the Socket "automatically"?

The Taper-lock uses friction which ensures items remain safe and secure, perfectly aligned in windy conditions, rain, dirt and grit don't adversely affect the locking action. Nothing can stop friction from working.

+ How do you work out it costs $780,000.00 to replace just one post a week?

We used the lowest estimated cost for replacing a damaged sign-post ($150.00). Once a week x the expected lifespan of a development (100 years) = 150 x 52 x 100. This does not include the cost of tipping fees; workplace injury; cost of heavy equipment such as grinders and jackhammers; cost of dial before you dig; damage to underground services; traffic management costs and so many other variables that are costing road authorities millions every year. An authority replacing around ten items a week is paying out $78,000 + a year, with no future benefit.

+ Who has used your products?

More than one hundred thousand units installed in Australia since 2003, Japan since 2004 and Europe since 2005 and no unit has ever required replacing in this time. We have hundreds of happy users happy to recommend the system and provide testimonials. View projects here.

+ Can the socket fade, become brittle or crack?

Units are made from what is referred to as “Smart Plastic” that is highly durable and resistant to impact. It has memory properties that enable it to absorb impact and return to its original shape without damage. It will not fade, crack or become brittle. The only thing that can adversely affect polypropylene is sun but as the unit is installed beneath the surface it is not subject to sunlight. NB: ground sockets must be installed flush with surface to protect from damage when item is impacted

+ What Testing have ZERO WASTE Foundations undergone?

Thoroughly laboratory and field tested with thousands of units installed over more than a decade (not one has required replacing in more than a decade). Independently Impact tested. Tested and Approved by N.S.W R.M.S and WA Main Roads Dept. Awarded DOH&S Worksafe Award. The award recognizes outstanding OHS solutions and innovation in Western Australian workplaces.

+ Can the ZERO WASTE Foundations fade, become brittle or crack?

Units will not fade, crack or become brittle unless left out in the sun. The only thing that can adversely effect polypropylene is sunlight, but as the unit is installed beneath the surface it is not subject to sunlight. NB: ground sockets must be installed flush with surface to protect from damage

+ Can we alter the depth of the socket on location?

Yes sockets can be easily truncated at 150 mm and the removed section is secured firmly in the base of the socket to prevent concrete entering the socket during installation ( the Taper must be shortened from base accordingly).

+ Can posts spin around or become loose?

No, if installed according to instructions, (with taper finishing flush with top of ground socket/ ground level) the Taper-lock holds fast so items cannot spin or become loose. It is, for this reason, it was used in mine-sites to hold very large drill bits subject to constant vibration. refer to Self-locking Morse Taper principle for more evidence. NB: By altering the position of the Taper on the item (moving it up the post a few mm) you can reduce the locking capacity an enable removal of items by hand. For this reason, it is imperative that instructions are followed.

+ What makes the ZERO WASTE Foundations different to metal & plastic sockets? 

The main reason is that metal will not last 100 years - but there are Lots of other reasons to use ZERO WASTE Foundations over metal devices

1. MORE DURABLE Metal is not resistant to impact, so is not particularly suitable for securing a traffic sign or bollard that is more likely than not to be impacted during the life of the development.Even if not impacted- metal will rust or corrode. Over time the device will become a litigation risk and need replacing. Cheap PVC and standard off the shelf plastics are not resistant to impact, becoming brittle over time and shattering.

   SOLUTION: ZERO WASTE Foundations are made from self-healing advanced polymers that protect surrounding foundations from damage. ZERO WASTE Foundations NEVER need replacing.

2. SAFER: Metal sockets and base plates are unsafe: Metal ground sockets and securing devices distort when impacted, or the ground anchors can be dislodged making items unstable, resulting in dangerous litigation risksfrom trip factors or worse still - items becoming dangerous projectiles. For this reason, they are being phased out by many organizations that have suffered from costly litigation, which will only increase as the years pass and populations increase.

   SOLUTION: The Self-locking Taper locks in tighter when items are impacted- they cannot become loose or unstable and items cannot be removed by vandals. Socket is installed flush with the surface and can be capped, so when an item is removed there are no trip factors.

3. COST LESS TO MAINTAIN: Metal sockets are costly to maintain:Items often lock into metal sockets due to corrosion, dirt or grit, becoming unstable over time, causing ongoing maintenance and litigation risks. Even galvanized or aluminum sockets cannot withstand both impact and rust over time (neither can last 100 years without needing replacement).

   SOLUTION: The ZERO WASTE socket cannot rust or corrode and items cannot become loose or be removed by vandals. Only maintenance is when an item is impacted and the Taper-lock works every time (cannot rust or corrode or become stuck).

4. ZERO DAMAGE TO PAVING: Metal sockets cause damage to surrounding foundations. because metal is rigid metal sockets do can damage surrounding foundations when items are impacted, substantially reducing the lifespan of a pavement or traffic island and resulting in ongoing landfill.

   SOLUTION: The ZERO WASTE Foundations protect the surrounding foundations from damage for the entire life of a development. Zero waste, Zero landfill for generations

5. NO RUST OR CORROSION In the unlikely event that an item was not impacted within 100 years metal sockets will not last 100 years as they rust, corrode and become dangerous litigation risks and need replacing (a costly exercise).

   SOLUTION: We then investigated a means of securing items without using pins or breakable components and discovered the Morse Taper that locks extremely large items in using only friction. The combination of these two factors ensures the ZERO WASTE Foundations keep working year after year- impact after impact.

6. METAL DEVICES MUST BE RETRO-FITTED: Metal sockets must be retrofitted creating two jobs and damaging the integrity of the foundations from day1.

   SOLUTION: ZERO WASTE Foundations can be installed when laying the foundations saving an enormous amount of time and money. No additional concrete or paving, no digging or heavy labour, no temporary signage or disturbance to the public, no traffic management.

7. COST LESS TO BUY: Metal securing devices surprisingly cost more than the ZERO WASTE Foundations to buy and as metal costs continue to increase so will the cost of metal devices!
   Often concrete anchors are needed to secure base plates - which cost more than a complete ZERO WASTE Foundations complete unit. The only other sustainable securing device made from cast iron costs more than ten times the ZERO WASTE Foundations.

    

   SOLUTION: We use a method of production that is low cost so the ZERO WASTE Foundations are economical enough to use on all items of infrastructure.

8. METAL IS CARBON INTENSIVE Metal and concrete are highly carbon intensive and finite resources that must be replaced repeatedly during the life of a development.

   SOLUTION: ZERO WASTE Foundationsare made from recycled petroleum waste, is considered the most environmentally friendly plastic available and is recyclable. No concrete required to install (if installed when laying foundations) or maintain ZERO WASTE Foundations for the life of the development.

9. LANDFILL: Metal sockets and surrounding foundations become landfilland often if the item has rusted or corroded it also becomes landfill.

   SOLUTION:ZERO WASTE Foundationsprotect developments from damage indefinitely. Zero damage, Zero landfill and as items are not secured directly in concrete they also become recyclable. Zero waste, Zero landfill for generations.

10. DIRT & GRIT BECOME STUCK: All other fixing devices (metal and plastic) have perpendicular sides to the ground socket and over time Dirt, grit and water enter the socket and cause items to lock in or be unable to lock in securely.
    
    SOLUTION: ZERO WASTE Foundations  have an internally tapered ground socket that enables the Taper to lock in using friction. This creates a tight seal from the top to the bottom of the Taper and ensures dirt and grit will not adversely affect the locking action. This is a patented principle so no other device can use this action to lock in posts. This is what makes the ZERO WASTE Foundations so unique, and ensures it keeps working year after year and will NEVER need replacing.

11. INTERCHANGEABLE Items secured on other fixing devices are not interchangeable.Metal sockets secure only one dimension of post and items are not interchangeable.

    SOLUTION:Using ZERO WASTE Foundations items become interchangeable making developments far easier to reconfigure and upgrade. You can remove a 60OD post and install a 165 mm diameter steel bollard!

    Barriers, bins, signage, seating can be secured on the same socket. remove a bin, install a bollard. You can use bollards to block off a busy street to traffic in the evening and install cafe tables creating a safe cafe strip by night. Bollards can be removed to enable traffic to flow freely during the day. Install status and change them regularly to keep your city interesting. Get creative- make your city dynamic!

The foundations for a better future

Who has used ZERO WASTE products?

More than 100,000 units installed in Australia since 2003, Japan since 2004 and Europe since 2005 and no unit has ever required replacing in this time. We have hundreds of happy users, including many of Australia's market leaders, happy to recommend the system and provide testimonials. Click here for  details.

 All products are fully patented and owned by Smart Urban Pty Ltd. Manufactured in Australia. We supply Australia-wide and ship Internationally.