Bollards - Design Trends, Applications, Buying Advice from Technical Experts

Bollards are structures used to restrict access, improve security, and landscape property. While many bollards provide aesthetic benefits, typically, bollards are used to protect pedestrians and buildings from vehicles and military installations from attack. They are also used to secure ships and boats to piers and docks. Some bollards are cylindrical and have a domed, angled, or flat cap. Others are square or shaped like spheres, but solidly anchored in the ground. Bollards can be installed...
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Q & A on Bollards

We asked our users for their input on Bollards. Here are the results of 99 users familiar with Bollards.

Who Took Our Poll? | Design Trends | Applications and Use | Features | Buying Advice

Who Took Our Poll?Top

Design TrendsTop

What new technologies are influencing bollard design?

15 answers

Answers:

Hydraulic controlled as well as electronic sniffer controlled bollards (sniff explosive mixture - activate full bollard actions). Facial recognition controlled bollards at high risk facilities.

~Maurice G, Mechanical Engineer (Explosives), North Rockhampton, Australia

Advanced polyurethane techniques, manufacturing materials which are totally maintenance free and will perform after endless collisions and in extreme temperatures.

~Neil S, Marketing/Sales, Gloucester, United Kingdom

Shallow mount - more complex ways of distributing force/kinetic energy to allow less foundation mass, incorporating LED signs, prox sensors, radar etc into bollards.

~George, Design Engineer, USA

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From your perspective, which companies are creating the most innovative bollards?

7 answers

Answers:

Watts Street furniture are at the forefront of advanced bollard material technology, in particular, their Terrathane polyurethane which is totally maintenance free. Watts only manufacture polyurethane products so they are experts in their field rather than a 'Jack of all trades'!

~Neil S, Marketing/Sales, Gloucester, United Kingdom

El-Go Team makes the only bollard that passed the K12 impact test on one bollard in the USA.

~Lisa I, Marketing/Sales, Kadima, Israel

Ideal Shield, Highlands Products Group, BollardsNsleeves.com

~John, Project Manager, New Tripoli, PA

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Applications and UseTop

What are some of the applications you have used bollards for?

27 answers

Answers:

Road and pathway demarcation, car parks, waterside locations, Anti-ram bollards for airports, retail parks, shops etc. In fact in have dealt with bollards to be used in all situations and environments.

~Neil S, Marketing/Sales, Gloucester, United Kingdom

Anti-Access/Anti-Terror at the Kremlin, Ben Gurion International Airport, Prime Minister's Office Jerusalem, UN Compound Angola, UN Compound Kenya

~Lisa I, Marketing/Sales, Kadima, Israel

Parking lot protection at entrances and fixtures; building door edge protection and safety protection, protection for machinery and controls, etc.

~Leigh M, Design Engineer, Buffalo, NY

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Please share with us any “non-standard” applications that bollards have been used for.

9 answers

Answers:

All the many applications that I have used since 911 have been to stop vehicles laden with explosives and terrorist self bombers, rarely have I used them for other applications.

~Maurice G, Mechanical Engineer (Explosives), North Rockhampton, Australia

Sidewalk protection in lieu of handrail systems.... stainless steel chains extending between bollards.

~Leigh M, Design Engineer, Buffalo, NY

On occasion due to space limitation we have used taller bollards as camera and illumination poles.

~M H, Project Manager, Richland,

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Do you know of any disastrous mistakes that occurred due to the incorrect usage of bollards?

6 answers

Answers:

Vehicles reversing did not feel the bollard when hit and so damaged the building, causing further expense in repairs. Incorrect type used.

~Hugh H, Health and Safety advisor, Warrington, UK

Replacement issues that develop after the fact. Dimensional restrictions in the revised bollard requirements that reduce the space initially allocated for the bollard system.

~Leigh M, Design Engineer, Buffalo, NY

Only mistakes of not specifying where they should have been.

~Greg P, Engineer, Bridgeport, CT

FeaturesTop

What would your design or feature "wish list" be for this product?

15 answers

Answers:

Hydraulic sensor controlled (FR - Explosives Sniffer) reactive bollards able to withstand impact from a heavy vehicle as well as maintain integrity of structure.

~Maurice G, Mechanical Engineer (Explosives), North Rockhampton, Australia

More for warning than for protection from vehicular traffic; more "disposable" or "sacrificial" bollard systems that can be replaced easily and quickly.

~Leigh M, Design Engineer, Buffalo, NY

Phosphorescent materials so that bollards can be seen during dark hours.

~Hugh H, Health and Safety advisor, Warrington, UK

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Is there any advice you want to share with users to help them avoid common errors in selection or usage of bollards?

10 answers

Answers:

Always check your dimensions and choose a bollard specifically for the location that it is required for! IE, For areas that are hit regularly at low speeds, choose a sturdy, flexible bollard such as the Watts Impact Flex bollard to eradicate the requirement for bollard replacement.

~Neil S, Marketing/Sales, Gloucester, United Kingdom

Think about foundation depth - other than specific shallow mount designs (which tend to be expensive), most crash rated designs have very deep foundations. This can cause conflicts with other equipment or utilities.

~George, Design Engineer, USA

Be careful in selecting pipe size, and know the true outside diameter of the pipe, especially if you are ordering bollard covers or sleeves.

~John, Project Manager, New Tripoli, PA

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Buying AdviceTop

Do you have any advice for people relative to buying or using bollards?

10 answers

Answers:

US Dept of State website and PDC website provide good lists of crash rated products. Look out for poor quality fabrication (bad welds, finishes etc).

~George, Design Engineer, USA

Choose a material which will retain its appearance and effectiveness for the longest time! Polyurethane will not crack, rust or dent like stainless steel or cast iron bollards.

~Neil S, Marketing/Sales, Gloucester, United Kingdom

Refer to the handbook and pay attention to the measurements and dimensions of the details in which the bollard is to be used. Wide assortment now.

~Leigh M, Design Engineer, Buffalo, NY

Keep it in-house. Bollard placement is something relatively easy and low cost if you DIY.

~John, Project Manager, New Tripoli, PA

- Be specific when you order your requirements of type, design & light effect. - Deal with reliable manufacturers, check test certificates & manufacturer's profile.

~Basil T, General Management, Abu Dhabi, UAE

There are bollards for just about every location; So do some looking around, if you have special needs.

~Felipe M, Technical Support, Salinas, CA

Make sure they are effective and standards approved.

~Maurice G, Mechanical Engineer (Explosives), North Rockhampton, Australia

Always understand what you are using them for.

~Hugh H, Health and Safety advisor, Warrington, UK

Use rated bollards available off the shelf.

~Design Engineer

You get what you pay for.

~Tom H, Facilities Manager, Decatur, GA

Bollards - Insights

Results of a Poll of GlobalSpec subscribers

Q & A on Bollards

Who Took Our Poll?Top

Design TrendsTop

Applications and UseTop

FeaturesTop

Buying AdviceTop