Published on November 3, 2024 by Darren Lallo
When it comes to protecting both vehicles and pedestrians, bollards are a versatile and essential solution for various sectors. From warehouses to construction sites, security bollards serve as physical barriers to control traffic flow and prevent collisions.
In this guide, we’ll explore the types of bollards available at Armco Direct detailing their unique features and practical applications to help you make informed safety decisions for your site.
Types of Bollards
Let’s first consider the different types of bollards that could be the right fit for your environment.
Dig-in Bollards
Dig-in bollards are embedded deep into the ground, providing firm, immovable protection against vehicle collisions. By positioning the bollard in a concrete-filled hole, these barriers gain stability and strength from the surrounding ground, making them ideal for permanent security. Once these permanent bollards are installed, dig-in bollards form a solid barrier that effectively absorbs impact, preventing unauthorised access or accidental damage to sensitive areas.
Bolt Down Bollards
Bolt-down bollards differ from dig-in bollards by providing secure protection while remaining removable. Instead of embedding them directly into the ground, bolt-down bollards are affixed to a concrete surface using strong bolts, making them easier to install or reposition.
Removable Bollards
Removable bollards provide adaptable security, ideal for areas needing periodic access. Unlike the fixed bollards options, these bollards can be easily unlocked and removed, offering flexibility for loading bays, maintenance, or seasonal traffic changes.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Bollard
Let’s break down some reasons why choosing the right bollard is key.
Your Environment
Where will you install your bollards?
Urban Spaces:
In urban spaces, parking bollards need to balance protection with accessibility. Our removable and bolt-down bollards are ideal choices, allowing for and restricting vehicle access as necessary. For example, they’re useful around pedestrian areas and car parks. In the latter, controlled temporary access is often required, but bollards are still required to prevent unauthorised parking.
Industrial Sites:
At industrial sites, durability and impact resistance are paramount. Our dig-in bollards provide strong, fixed barriers ideal for heavy-traffic areas, protecting structures and equipment from vehicular impact. For high-risk areas like loading bays, these robust bollards offer essential, reliable safety and separation.
The Purpose
What is your primary reason for installing bollards?
Traffic Control and Vehicle Access:
For vehicle control, selecting traffic bollards is essential to safely guide vehicles and pedestrians. Our Heavy Duty Bolt-Down Bollard is ideal for this purpose, securely bolted to concrete surfaces to create clear boundaries in high-traffic areas. Its design prevents unauthorised access while allowing flexibility for reconfiguration, making it perfect for ever-changing traffic environments.
Pedestrian Safety:
For pedestrian safety, selecting highly visible bollards is essential. Armco Direct’s range of bright, reflective bollards provides clear demarcation, ensuring pedestrians and vehicles remain safely separated.
Quantity and Location
The number of bollards required and their installation location are critical factors in determining overall costs. Larger quantities, such as parking bollards, can lead to bulk pricing discounts but may also increase installation time and complexity. Urban areas or sites with restricted access may incur higher installation costs due to logistical challenges. We tailor our solutions to your specific requirements, whether it’s installing telescopic bollards or fixed bollards, ensuring each bollard is strategically placed for maximum effectiveness, providing security measures that match your needs.
Additional Costs
As well as these standard costs, you should also think about these other possible unexpected financial burdens that may incur if you’d like enhanced security measures.
Site Preparation
Unexpected challenges during bollard installation can significantly impact site preparation, leading to additional costs. These challenges often arise from unforeseen site conditions that require specialised attention. Whether you’re installing parking bollards, stainless steel bollards, or a telescopic bollard, it’s important to consider the following:
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Excavation: Removing existing structures or debris to create a clear installation area.
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Levelling: Ensuring the ground is even for a stable installation.
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Drainage: Addressing any water flow issues to prevent future damage.
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Ground reinforcement: Strengthening the site, particularly in soft or unstable areas, to support the bollards effectively.
Whether it’s a parking post for your car park or bollards for pedestrian walkways, there will always be a different set of considerations.
Asset Protection:
Dig-in bollards create a permanent, immovable barrier, ensuring essential protection in industrial and commercial environments where security is paramount.
The Finish
Our bollards can also come in a choice of finishes.
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Galvanised: Provides robust, rust-resistant protection, ideal for extended outdoor use, giving them a longer life expectancy than stainless steel bollards or other options such as flexible plastic bollards.
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Powder-coated in RAL 007 Yellow: Enhances visibility in high-traffic areas, minimising accidental impacts.
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Black banding: Offers a professional aesthetic, well-suited to urban environments.
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Reflective banding: Boosts visibility at night, ensuring safety for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Speak to Us
For expert advice on choosing the right bollards for your site’s safety needs, speak to our knowledgeable team. We’re here to guide you in selecting the best solutions for effective protection. Contact us today for a customised quote and dependable support.
FAQs
Here are some questions you’d like answered about different types of bollards.
What are the benefits of galvanised bollards compared to regular steel bollards?
Galvanised bollards offer enhanced durability over regular steel bollards due to their corrosion-resistant coating, making them ideal for outdoor and high-impact environments. This coating protects against rust and weather damage, ensuring a longer lifespan and reducing maintenance needs in challenging industrial settings.
What is the main difference between a bollard and a barrier?
The main difference between a bollard and a barrier is their purpose and structure. Bollards are typically shorter, individual posts designed to restrict vehicle access and enhance pedestrian safety, while barriers are longer, continuous structures intended for larger-scale vehicle containment and traffic direction.
What type of decorative bollard is best for areas requiring both security and aesthetic appeal?
For areas needing both enhanced security, and visual appeal, powder-coated bollards in RAL 007 Yellow or with black banding are ideal. They offer robust protection with a polished finish, ensuring effective boundary marking while complementing the surrounding environment in public or industrial spaces.