In recent years, we have seen a tremendous shift in the importance of safety, not just inside commercial spaces but outside as well. With the idea of security on everyone's mind, more and more facilities, including schools, retailers, and private businesses are looking to do their part in preventing ram-raiding, vehicle intrusions, and pedestrian incidents.
Because protecting both your building and infrastructure as well as the pedestrians around your commercial or outdoor space is critically important, many facilities have chosen to install bollards for increased safety and security.
What is a bollard?
A bollard is a round post and is typically embedded in the ground and used for safety or security purposes. Originally meant to be used for ship mooring, bollards are now used mainly to direct or control road traffic. This includes using them to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles, such as outside of storefronts, to separate paved walkways from paved motorways, to block off public parks or outdoor spaces, and more.
Types of bollards
Bollards are typically made out of steel but can sometimes be made out of concrete or other strong materials. There are a variety of different types and models of bollards, including collapsible posts, fixed bollards (embedded or surface mounted), parking bollards (collapsible or removable), and removable bollards (locking or non-locking). Additionally, there are options ranging from low-impact bollards used primarily for visual deterrence to heavy-duty, anti-ram security bollards used to prevent ram-raiding and pedestrian accidents.
Benefits of bollards
Bollards are typically spaced at 4 feet on center; enough room for pedestrians and bicycles to pass through, but limited enough to prevent vehicles from passing through. They are available in many different sizes and styles, and the type chosen depends on the end goal of the bollard.
Here are some benefits of the different types of bollards:
- Removable and collapsible bollards provide temporary restricted entry or limited access when needed
- Security bollards protect pedestrians from traffic to ensure safety in busy places
- Anti-ram bollards provide security for buildings and infrastructures from both accidental and intentional damage from vehicles
- Removable or low-impact bollards are effective for channeling and diverting traffic, as well as closing off roads and entries altogether
- Anti-ram bollards mitigate the risk of business owners and government agencies from being exposed to significant liability
- Anti-ram traffic control barriers provide 24-hour protection for people and property
Industries and locations that can benefit from bollards
Bollards can be used a variety of different locations and industries, including:
- Airports
- Bike paths
- Cemeteries
- Corporate offices
- Financial institutions
- Government buildings
- Golf courses
- Marinas
- Pedestrian bridges and walkways
- Residential areas
- Restaurants
- Schools
- Stadiums
- Storefronts
- Universities
- and more.
Regardless of the level of security your application or location calls for, essentially any storefront, commercial business, or outdoor space will benefit from the additional safety and protection that high-quality bollards provide.
Why do we need safety bollards?
Bollards are effective at protecting areas and people, which is why they’re so common in public spaces. Because there are so many different options for what kind of bollards to install, they’re ideal for many different uses, no matter if you’re trying to permanently secure a storefront against vehicles, protect pedestrians, or barricade off an area. Bollards are meant to keep people safe and structures protected — and that’s why they’ve become an essential part of perimeter security.
