If you want to manage traffic, protect pedestrians and secure sensitive areas, bollards are one of most commonly used barriers. So, you should know about bollards and why they are important.
Our team will explain what are bollards and how you can use them in urban planning. You will also learn different types of bollards and where you can install them.
What is Bollard?
A bollard is a vertical barrier or post, which is installed to guide traffic or separate two entities. Normally, bollards are made of steel, concrete, or any other reliable material. A reliable barrier that is used at several places to restrict the desired movements.
Bollard in Construction
From a construction point of view, bollards are very important to protect a building from traffic entry. They may be permanent fixtures or removable. You can also restrict the vehicle’s movement in pedestrian areas. They are of different types and are used at various sites accordingly.
Types of Bollards
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Driveway Bollards
These are special bollards that are installed on driveways. They are used to restrict the movement of traffic and other heavy machinery to driveways. You can use these bollards to protect your commercial or residential driveways. Driveway bollards are also used to restrict unauthorized vehicle entry into the parking area.
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Removable Bollards
They are a special type of bollard, which you can remove from any installed place. Some places need scheduled restrictions, like traffic during the day hours. You can unlock these bollards at any time and can move from one place to the other. Such bollards have a locking mechanism, which prevents their theft and unwanted removal.
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Permanent / Fixed Bollards
As the name suggests, these bollards are fixed and permanent at their installed place. These posts are embedded in concrete. They provide permanent safety, traffic management & restrictions. Such bollards are common in public areas, like parks, hospitals and other places.
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Concrete Bollards
These bollards are heavy and fixed in a permanent place, being embedded deep in the ground. Concrete bollards offer durability and can resist high impacts. Such posts are popular in high-traffic areas. They are also common in high-security zones and parking lots.
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Rubber Bollards
Rubber bollards are made of recycled rubber material with flexibility and are designed for impact absorption. They are popular in the UK market for use in parking lots and along roadside curbs. JACKWIN specializes in manufacturing these reflective rubber bollards. If you have any requirements, you can contact us.
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Safety or Security Bollards
These posts are made of a highly resistant material that can withstand high impacts. Normally, reinforced steel and concrete are used to make these security bollards. You can install these safety bollards in sensitive areas to protect buildings and people.
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Automatic Bollards
The advanced bollards, which can be raised and lowered as needed. You can install these bollards in front of highly sensitive buildings where you need restricted access. You can also automate the system, in which the car number plate can also be used as identification.
Automatic Bollards
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Custom Bollards
They are specially designed bollards tailored to the specific needs of an institution or individual. You can add the specific logo design to them. The material selection is also according to the customized requirements. These bollards can be fixed, removable, or automatic.
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Decorative Bollards
The decorative bollards are decorated with the desired logos, colors and aesthetic beauty is added. You will see these bollards at corporate offices or historical places where the aesthetic appeal matters. You can add paint to them to add decoration or plastic covers are also an option.
These bollards are installed inside the parking area to protect the pedestrian pathway from vehicles. You can also use these bollards to secure your cars from any external threat. They are also helpful in managing traffic flow in large parking lots.
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Retractable Bollards
They are modern bollards, which can sink into the ground or rise whenever needed. These retractable bollards have a hydraulic system, which raises and lowers them. You can also see these bollards at big malls’ parking lots, restricting the traffic flow.
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Heavy Duty Bollards
The bollards that can withstand heavy impact to protect the buildings or any sensitive area. Such bollards are built with highly durable materials, including steel and concrete. These bollards are taller and heavier than normal. You can install them in several places.
Heavy Duty Bollards
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Steel Bollards
Commonly used bollards are used because of their high resistance to heavy impacts and durability. Steel bollards may be retractable or fixed, depending on the need. They are coated with galvanized material to protect them from corrosion. Normally, you will see these posts in front of buildings and parks.
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Traffic Bollards
Unlike other heavy bollards, traffic bollards are lightweight and made of plastic and lightweight steel. They are normally removable and can move from one place to another. These bollards are also equipped with reflective strips to make them visible at night. You can often see them on roads.
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Stainless Steel Bollards
Stainless steel bollards are made of rust-free stainless steel, corrosion-resistant, and a durable solution. Compared to normal steel bollards, which are painted to resist corrosion, you can go for stainless steel posts. They are installed in urban areas, including parks, roads, shopping malls, and other important places.
What are Bollards Made of?
Bollards are made of different materials, depending on the requirements and place. Stainless steel bollards are common in urban areas due to their longevity and modern look. Plastic and lightweight metals are also used to make bollards for traffic controls.
Wood bollards are also seen as decoration at cultural places and parks sometimes. Aluminium is also used to make bollards where the impact is not heavy. Concrete bollards are also common in streets and roads.
How Are Bollards Made?
1. Fabrication
In the first step, material is selected according to the need, e.g., steel, aluminum, plastic, or concrete. In the next step, the shaping is done by converting the material into the final shape. In the 3rd step, reinforcement is done to increase the impact resistance. The final step is to customize according to special needs.
2. Protective Layer Application
A protective layer is applied to resist the environmental changes in a better way. Special types of coatings are applied to the concrete bollards to prevent water absorption. Galvanized or powder coating is used for resisting corrosion in steel bollards. UV-resistant coatings are applied to plastic traffic bollards.
3. Installation
Different types of bollards are installed in a different way. Fixed bollards are installed by embedding them deep in concrete. On the other hand, removable bollards are installed with a ground sleeve, so they can be removed anytime. Retractable bollards are installed with a hydraulic system beneath them.
Bollard Size
Bollard Height/OSHA Bollard Height Requirements
There are no pet guidelines regarding the height of the bollards. However, generally it is 3-4 feet high from the ground level. According to OSHA, the height should be up to the limit where they can protect the pedestrians and structures. Traffic bollards are shorter in height (30-36 inches).
- Bollard Post Size
The bollard post size normally ranges from 4-10 inches in diameter. For small posts, 4-6 inches and for heavier posts, 8-10 inches diameter is normal.
- Bollard Diameter
Usually the diameter of bollards is 4, 6, 8, or 10 inches. The diameter is 12-24 inches for security bollards, which are built to withstand heavy impact.
- Bollard Depth
The depth for fixed bollards is normally more than 36 inches inside the concrete. Some bollards were just installed on the ground surface with the help of bolts. High-security bollards are rooted deep in the grounds.
Design of Bollards
What is a Bollard Cover?
As the name suggests, a bollard cover is a hollow cover used to hide the original bollard and provide protection. A bollard cover reduces the need for repaints and also adds aesthetic beauty to the bollard design. It offers protection against rust, corrosion and other environmental factors.
What is a Bollard Light?
The light that is installed on the bollard. These bollard lights may be in a cylindrical, rectangular, or any other shape. They provide you with more clarity and pathway directions at night.
What is the Purpose of Bollards
Pedestrian Protection
They are installed along the pedestrian pathways to protect the pedestrians from heavy traffic flow. They are usually equipped with bollard lights and reflective strips, which also make them visible in the dark.
Traffic Management
Bollards are also important in traffic management and are installed on busy roads to restrict traffic movements. Normally, the bollards used to manage the traffic are lightweight and removable.
Perimeter Defense Systems
Bollards are also part of the perimeter defense system, ensuring the entry of only authorized vehicles. They are also paired with the CCTV and other defense systems to act as a first line of defense against explosive vehicles and terrorism.
City Planing
They play a major role in city planning. You can control the traffic flow, restrict the entry of unwanted vehicles & protect the buildings. In community places, they are important in distribution of different areas and management.
Aesthetic Quality
Bollards can also enhance the beauty of urban areas by their sharp colors and decorative style. You can design the bollards according to the streetlights and the theme of the city. In parks, wooden bollards are also used to add aesthetic beauty.
Access Control
You will have more control over certain areas with the help of these bollards. You can control the entry of permitted vehicles only and it is also important for the safety of pedestrians. They provide better access control in managing the event.
Bike Lane Separation
Another important use of the bollards in traffic management is bike lane separation. On big roads, you can separate the bike lane to avoid accidents and for smooth traffic flow.
Parking Handling/Parking Lots
In parking lots, you can control the entry and exit of the cars. You can also restrict the movement of the vehicles in non-parking zones. These parking bollards also direct the vehicles to specific points.
Residential Development
Bollards are important in managing the movement of vehicles in residential areas. You can protect the residential areas, parks and pedestrian areas from cars and bikes. They are also installed at entry and exit points.
Security of Critical Infrastructure
Bollards are important for protecting critical infrastructure, such as armed forces buildings. You can install retractable bollards to allow the entry of allowed vehicles only. They play a crucial role in protecting sensitive areas.
Road Safety
Bollards are important from a road safety point of view and provide lane direction and lane separation. They also protect pedestrian pathways and are used for reducing the speed in a sensitive area.
Airports & Transportation
They play an important role at airports and the management of crowds there. Different areas are separated with the help of bollards, where the entry of a common man is banned. They are also installed at the entry and exit points for the passengers.
Crowd Control
These bollards are also important for managing crowds at events. You can also separate VIP movement from the rest of the public. Bollards play an important role in controlling unwanted entries.
See our product: China Premium Crowd Control Barriers
Navigation and Sign Systems
The bollards are also used to direct people towards a specific point. You can use these bollards as navigation for the public. You can define the entry and exit points through these bollards.
Bollards Installation
Bollard Installation Specifications?
The depth should be a minimum of 18-36 inches and more in case of security bollards. Bollards should be installed in a concrete base, which should be 6 inches wider than the diameter.
Minimum 3000-4000 psi concrete mix for the bollard installation. The height should be 30-48 inches from the ground level. Pedestrian bollards should be installed at a distance of 3-5 feet.
Driveway Bollards Installation
The driveway bollards must have a minimum distance, through which cars can easily pass. There should be a hole around 18-24 inches deep for strengthening. Removable bollards need ground sleeves. You should fill the holes with concrete and give a 24-48 hour curing time before applying a load.
Installing Bollards in Concrete
Drill the concrete with a hole having a diameter greater than the bollard. Remove any kind of debris and put the bollard in the hole. Fill the empty space around the bollard with cement and give a curing time.
How to Install Bollards in Dirt?
You should drill a hole around 36-48 inches, depending on the soil stability. Put the bollard in it and fill the base with gravel around 6-8 inches. The remaining hole should be filled with concrete and given a proper time to cure.
Price of Bollards
The price of bollards may vary for different types. The normal steel pipe bollard ranges from $75-$100. You can get decorative bollards at price points from $200-$800. Residential traffic bollards are available for 100USD. Heavy and crash-rated bollards are costly (from 500 to 2000 USD).
Bollard Maintenance
These bollards should be maintained properly. You should arrange a regular inspection of these bollards every 3-6 months. Inspect the bollard and repair the minor damage. A full-fledged maintenance is required for retractable hydraulic bollards. You can also apply protective paints to the bollards.
To Wrap Up
Now, you are well aware of bollard benefits and how they protect you from dangerous accidents. You must select the right bollards according to your site requirements plus durability standards.
Our final recommendation is to always consider official rules for bollards height, spacing and material selection as well. You can contact us now to get customized traffic safety products and security bollards for your projects.
Further Helpful Readings:
Pedestrian Barriers – Types, Applications, Sizes and Rules
Bollard Specific Guidelines For Plans/Sketches | Bureau of Engineering
Premium Pedestrian Barrier Manufacturer in China
Traffic Lane Separators for Parking Lots and Private Roadways
