What are the most common types of bollards and how is it used?

How are steel bollards used?

Below are some used cases of steel bollards:

Protection of buildings:Intentional or unintentional, damage to buildings can be highly costly and, in the worst case scenario, irreparable. Stainless steel bollards provide stand-off protection and also ensure vehicles are kept away from vulnerable buildings and risky locations.

Securing perimeters:Steel bollards are used as perimeter security to protect against intentional burglaries where vehicles may be used to ram storefronts via windows or entrances. You will find high-security areas surrounded by bollards positioned at sensitive access points to prevent this problem.

Decorative:Bollards are not only used for security purposes but also to highlight the surrounding architecture. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, bollards assist those who may not be able to see walkways.

Traffic: Steel bollards are also used to guide traffic by utilising pipe bollards to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic. It helps to reduce accidents drastically.

What are the most common types Of bollards?

You will find different types of bollards and each serves a different purpose and has its own benefits and limitations. Let us get started with them:

Embedded bollards: 

These are below grounded bollards embedded deep into the ground and are usually added for security and strength. They can be made from any common bollard material – steel, concrete, or even wood. How strong they are will depend on the foundation. One of the strongest bollards would be one that is made out of steel and buried deep within a reinforced concrete foundation. The wooden ones will be soft and won’t provide the same level of protection.

Surface-mounted bollards: 

These use some sort of anchor system (mechanical) to mount the bollard to the surface. It is an inexpensive installation method but also not a good one. If there is a strong impact, the anchors are the weakest link and quickly get damaged. These are perfect when the purpose is to provide a psychological barrier or mere presence.

Rebounding Bollards: 

These use energy absorption technology to provide the strength of some embedded bollards. They come with a low installation cost and good flexibility of surface-mounted bollards. When there is an impact, it is allowed to tilt at some mechanism, be it an elastomer or spring system. This way, they absorb and dissipate the energy of the vehicle. Post the impact, they return to the original position, undamaged and fully functional. One of the advantages of using them is that there is no damage to vehicles and passengers as the load is reduced due to the more gradual absorption of impact energy.

Retractable / Removable Bollards: 

The purpose is not always to prevent access and have permanent bollards. Hence, you will also see removable bollards being designed. They allow you or a potential traveler access to the area normally denied by the bollard. It can be done in many ways. One of the most common and lowest technology is to use the pipe-in-a-tube method, where a socket is created in the ground. It is an expensive way to use removable bollards. These bollards are flat in shape to allow vehicle clearance.

Decorative Bollards: 

Decorative bollards encourage people to go to places they would otherwise not be. Make vehicles visible and physical barriers with bollards without ruining the aesthetics of a landscape or building. A decorative post prevents vehicles from accessing pedestrian-only areas while allowing foot traffic to pass freely. They are eye-catching and also provide security. Sometimes aesthetics and functionality can coexist in the wide world of bollards.

Automatic Bollards: 

These are similar to retractable bollards but a bit more time-efficient for all parties involved. These find application in parking garages and areas where there are a large number of permission-based vehicles. They are best used for people who are on the go and need to enter and exit without anyone being involved.