General questions (FAQs) about bollards

What are bollards?

Bollards are generally stakes or posts fixed in the ground. Crash-protection bollards are high-strength columns, usually made of galvanized (stainless) steel, plastic, or concrete ( or a semi-flexible, slightly yielding combination of both materials ), and are installed in locations where a vehicle could collide with them. Here is an example of mobile, cone-shaped concrete bollards in a public area :

These are placed, for example, in front of building entrances, pedestrian walkways, or public squares, but also in front of internal gates and driveways. Their purpose is to prevent unauthorized vehicle entry and thus protect people and property.

What are bollards used for?

Crash barriers are primarily used to protect people and property from collisions with vehicles. This can be the case, for example, at banks, government buildings, airports, shopping malls, electric vehicle charging stations , and other locations with an increased safety risk. They can also be used to block off roads or sidewalks.

What types of bollards are there?

There are various types of bollards, differing in their material, design, and function. For example, bollards are made of steel , concrete, plastic, or combinations of these materials. Some are permanently installed, while others are mobile (e.g., for use at events) and can be erected and dismantled as needed, pulled out (from a ground tube) , folded down, or lowered. To allow temporary passage, for example, for fire trucks, so-called folding or plug-in bollards are used, which can be operated with a standardized triangular key.

There are also bollards with integrated safety features such as lighting, alarm sensors or camera surveillance.

There are also fully flexible versions that prevent damage to vehicles and the bollards themselves, but these do not offer any real crash protection ; they only appear to provide the visual effect of crash protection.

There are also special bollards designed for use at higher speeds or with larger vehicles, such as trucks . In such cases, it is important to dimension and install the bollards accordingly to ensure sufficient stability and safety. For special requirements %C3% custom-made steel bollards are also available. There are also special high-security, drive-over solutions.

How are bollards installed?

The installation of bollards depends on their type and application. Many fixed bollards can be bolted to the ground , provided the surface allows it. Alternatively, they can be embedded in the ground or concrete foundations . In both cases, it is crucial that the bollards are securely and stably anchored to form an effective barrier. Mobile bollard barriers, on the other hand, are simply placed on the ground (without anchoring) and reassembled elsewhere as needed.

Can bollards be hit by any vehicle?

No, bollards are designed to absorb the impact of vehicles traveling at normal speeds without being damaged. For special requirements (e.g., protection against higher-speed trucks), particularly robust, high-security bollards should be selected.

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