Different Types of Bollards

When it comes to keeping a location safe from impact damage, bollards are essential. Bollards are strong and sturdy, providing security for both pedestrians and private property. Like other traffic safety equipment, bollards can reduce the risk of vandalism, trespassing and major accidents.

Bollards are typically used to prevent vehicles from entering a pedestrian area. They act as a barricade for parking lots, footpaths, buildings and commercial areas. These short posts provide excellent protection from vehicles while simultaneously giving pedestrians access.

Here are the most common forms of bollards.

Safety Bollards

Standard bollards are often used in high traffic areas. They prevent vehicles from driving on to a footpath or an open pedestrian area. They also provide durable impact resistance, stopping large vehicles from getting into restricted areas.

Typically, safety bollards are permanently fixed into place. They are usually made of metal and are painted a bright yellow for visibility. If it’s being used on private property, the bollard is often just left with a bare metal surface.

Despite the hard material that it’s made from, the impact resistance of these bollards mainly comes from its strong attachment to the ground.

Removable Bollards

Removable bollards are used when flexibility is needed. They can be removed from the property when more space is required and can be re-planted at any time. They usually have less impact resistance than permanent bollards, but are still sturdy enough to prevent vehicles from entering an area.

Removable bollards are also used to restrict entry into private property. Sometimes, such bollards are set in place with a padlock. This way, only those who are authorised (and have the key) will be able to access private areas. This can be used in commercial driveways and/or workplace parking lots.

Retractable Bollards

This type of bollard is used to protect an entry or exit point into an area. They are typically brought out of the ground when entry restrictions are needed and retracted when an authorised vehicle needs access. Unlike removable bollards, retractables are often automated. Additionally, it is one of the strongest types of bollard, providing high impact resistance.

You might see retractable bollards on private properties, commercial areas or at government buildings. They are usually reserved for places that require high security as well as accessibility.

Parking Bollards

Parking bollards are used to prevent cars from parking in an exclusive spot. This might be at a government location or at your workplace.

Such bollards are usually made of metal and have a hinge at the bottom. This feature makes it less impact resistant than retractable and safety bollards.

Parking bollards can only be ‘folded’ horizontally by an authorised person. Usually, a key is required to fold the bollard. Although the horizontal bollard will still take up space on the ground, it will be low enough to allow a vehicle to park.

Flexible Bollards

Flexible bollards aren’t permanent fixings. They can be moved to different locations at any time.

Such bollards are usually orange in colour and are made of plastic. When a car collides with a plastic bollard, it will simply bend. They can move back and forth without causing any structural damage to the car.

The purpose of flexible bollards is not to provide high impact protection, rather, it is used to provide a visual guide for motorists.

Construction Bollards

These are commonly used to prevent motorists from going on to a construction site. Construction bollards are used on roads, parking lots and other shared areas with vehicles and pedestrians. It helps drivers avoid hazardous construction sites and/or breakdowns.

Bollards provide a safe form of impact resistance. It helps keep the people behind the barriers safe. In the event of an incident, bollards can take the impact of a vehicle and prevent personal injuries to pedestrians and serious damage to private property.

If you have a business or are involved in a construction project, consider using bollards. It will improve worker safety and prevent costly accidents.