What sort of security bollard would best suit me?

Our security bollards are sturdy, vertical posts that can be used to protect buildings, pedestrians, and vehicles from collisions and attacks. They come in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials, and choosing the right one can depend on several different factors. Having provided our clients with quality security bollard for over 15 years here at Bollard Security, we’ve put together some key points to keep in mind when deciding what sort of security bollard would best suit your needs. Let’s get into it!

What is a security bollard?

A security bollard is a robust, vertical post designed to control or restrict vehicle access, ensuring the safety of pedestrians, buildings, and other infrastructure. Bollards serve various purposes, from managing traffic flow to providing a physical barrier that protects against vehicle collisions or deliberate attacks. They are commonly used in both public and private spaces, such as commercial properties, high streets, car parks, and even residential driveways. Security bollards can be permanent, retractable, or automatic, depending on the required level of access control and the specific risks faced by the area in which they are installed.

What’s purpose of your bollard?

The first thing to consider when selecting a security bollard is its purpose. Are you looking to protect your building from vehicular attacks or prevent accidental collisions with pedestrians? Are you looking for a bollard to secure your property from acts of burglary, vehicle theft or vandalism? Understanding the primary function of the bollard will help you choose the right type and size from our range.

There are a couple of different types to choose from. Fixed bollards offer permanent security and are ideal for areas where access is always restricted, while retractable or removable bollards provide flexibility, making them perfect for properties that require occasional vehicle access, such as driveways or commercial entrances. Automatic bollards on the other hand are often used in commercial settings to control vehicle access without the need for manual operation, making them ideal for managing traffic flow in and out of busy areas.

It’s also worth noting that certain bollards are specifically designed to mitigate high-risk threats, such as ram-raids or vehicle ramming attacks, which have become more prevalent in urban environments. These high-security bollards are typically crash-rated, which means they’re built to withstand significant impact, and provide excellent deterrence against both deliberate and accidental vehicle collisions.

Finally, it’s worth bearing in mind that in some locations, legal or insurance requirements may mandate the installation of specific bollard types to ensure compliance with safety standards or reduce liability – building codes or zoning laws, for example.

Whether you’re simply looking for a parking post to secure your parking space, or an automatic bollard to manage traffic in and out of your commercial business, we’ve got you covered.

Where do you plan on placing them?

The location of the bollard is another important factor to consider, both in terms of specific positioning and their wider environment

In terms of the wider environment, one easy question to start with is whether the bollard will be in an urban or rural environment. Urban areas with heavy foot traffic and vehicle congestion may require robust, crash-resistant bollards to enhance safety and manage vehicle access. In contrast, rural settings might prioritise aesthetic options or functional bollards that blend in with the landscape.

By the same token, if you’re planning to have it installed in a high-traffic area, especially in an urban space, you’ll need a bollard that is sturdy enough to withstand repeated impacts. Bollards that are meant to be installed in areas with heavy foot traffic will need to be designed for visibility to help avoid accidents. (Our selection of durable telescopic bollards are sure to fit your needs in that regard.)

In terms of specific positioning on the other hand, bollards will need to be placed strategically to create a clear barrier against vehicles, while allowing easy access for pedestrians. In high-traffic pedestrian zones, bollards should be positioned to guide foot traffic safely and prevent vehicles from entering designated walkways.

You’ll also want to consider factors like visibility (which we’ve already touched on above), and accessibility. Your bollards will need to be spaced appropriately to prevent gaps that vehicles could exploit, while also ensuring they are visible to both drivers and pedestrians to reduce the risk of accidents. Illuminated bollards can also enhance safety for areas with limited lighting.

Finally, it’s always a good idea to check up on any local regulations or guidelines that may dictate the placement of bollards, especially near roads or sensitive areas, to ensure compliance and optimise safety. In addition to the building codes and zoning laws we’ve touched on above, there may also be relevant traffic regulations, or public rights-of-way.

What should the bollards be made from?

Security bollards are made from various materials, including galvanised steel, concrete and stainless steel. Our steel bollards are by far the most durable and can withstand heavy impacts, and our concrete bollards are an excellent option for high-traffic areas, but they may not be as aesthetically pleasing as our immaculate, stainless steel options.

Another factor to consider is impact resistance ratings, such as PAS 68 or K4/K12 standards. These ratings indicate how well a bollard can withstand an impact from a vehicle. For sites that require high-security measures, choosing a bollard with a crash rating will ensure your property is well-protected against deliberate attacks or accidents.

Typically speaking, if you’re looking for maximum security at the best price, steel is the way to go.

How do you want them to look?

While security is the primary concern, it’s also essential to choose a bollard that complements the surrounding environment. Our bollards can be bought in a variety of colours to match the colour scheme of your building or landscape, ensuring they don’t prove to be an eye sore once installed.

Here at Bollard Security, we’re passionate about helping you to create a secure environment for your business, and deter any potential intruders from attempting to gain access to your shopfront. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so take the necessary precautions to protect your premises today by getting some security bollards from us.

We carry huge stock of all types of bollards including parking bollards and telescopic bollards. Have a browse of our products online to find out which ones could be the best fit for you. If you ever need any guidance or you’ve got questions that need answering, you can always call up one of our in-house experts on 01756 363 196 – we’re always happy to see how we can help!