Bollards are sturdy constructed posts that create protective barriers and visual markers in an effort to control traffic and improve safety for pedestrians. They can be crash or non-crash, static/fixed or retractable to meet specific project needs and design aesthetics. TYMETAL’s security bollards prevent forklift and vehicle collisions with building, structures or personnel in warehouse settings. They’re also commonly used to protect sidewalks, bike trails and alleyways from vehicles.
Safety & Security
Since 9/11, government facilities and other high-risk infrastructure have installed heavy security barriers. While these can deter terrorist attacks and prevent vehicle ramming, they can be unsightly. Retractable and removable bollards offer a more aesthetically pleasing solution. Using CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) principles, they provide a clear boundary to secure controlled spaces without creating an intimidating environment. They can also be easily removed to accommodate periodic security needs like large events and road closures.
A variety of materials and crash-test ratings are available for bollards, allowing specifiers to find the ideal product for their project. Lighted and retractable bollards offer flexible options, while fixed DS22 security bollards are engineered to meet K12 or higher crash-test standards. These safety features can also add subtle direction for pedestrian traffic in parks, public spaces and shopping precincts. In industrial settings, they can help secure machinery and protect workers from potential hazards while guiding forklift drivers on planned routes.
Access Control
Barriers & Bollards Bespoke are used to define boundaries, manage traffic flow and add a unique aesthetic to commercial spaces. With an abundance of options in terms of material, design and finish, there are solutions that fit any space or design aesthetic. Whether they are temporary work barriers for roadworks or permanent security solutions, bollards can be connected with gates to enhance processes and provide ongoing access control. TYMETAL offers a variety of crash resistant and anti-ram bollards that are highly durable and reliable. When specifying bollards, designers should consider the threat level of a facility as well as whole life cycle costs.
For example, a site with low threat may only require bollards that stop passenger cars and direct them around a building rather than creating a stand off distance. In these cases, a designer could select a low cost solution like a short traffic guidance bollard or jersey barrier that can be lowered on an as needed basis for construction and maintenance vehicles.
Traffic Flow
Whether a bollard is as permanent as a cannon cemented into a wharf, degrading slowly over centuries, or as temporary as the bright orange plastic posts slung around a road crew before they start work in the morning, it has the same goal: to prevent vehicles from intruding into areas meant for pedestrian use. Site planning must consider pedestrian flow, safety, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
Some bollards are designed to protect buildings and facilities against terrorist attacks, with a more formal appearance to serve as a visual deterrent to potential intruders. These security bollards are often called K-rated, although they may also be referred to by their ASTM crash test rating. Other types of bollards offer more flexibility to manage traffic flow. For example, movable bollards can be raised and lowered to allow construction, utility, and delivery vehicle access. These types of bollards can be a great solution in mixed-use public spaces, where smooth traffic flow is critical to overall safety and usability.
Visual Appeal
While enhancing safety is a primary objective of urban design projects, many cities are also interested in increasing the aesthetic appeal of their streets and pathways, to know more visit blackburnandcoltd.com. While some security measures are obvious, such as concrete barriers or chained fences, others can be concealed in more attractive designs, allowing them to integrate with the environment without diminishing visual appeal.
Decorative bollards offer a solution. These architecturally-designed barriers are visually appealing, blending well with the aesthetics of historic downtown districts or modern campuses. Many bollards are also equipped with illumination, which further enhances their aesthetic. They can even be linked together to form chains, similar to those used at theaters to mark a line of guests. While not all bollards are crash-rated, they can still offer a level of protection from ram raids. They can be designed to fold, deflect, or break away on impact, ensuring that they do not stand in the way of traffic. This is especially important for areas that need to be able to access street lights, fire hydrants, public phones, or gas pipes.
What’s Next?
Bollards are a popular feature in parking areas, commercial and industrial facilities. They can help keep unauthorized vehicles out and prevent vehicle collisions with pedestrian pathways. Often, these barriers are used in settings where the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects accessibility. ADA bollards are specially designed to stop small impacts that typically damage other concrete barriers and stall vehicle access.