What height do bollards need to be?
Bollards should be as high as the on-site requirement needs. The standard height for bollards is between 750mm and 1000mm high. Most drivers eye levels will be between 1200-1300mm high when seated in the car, therefore 1000mm high bollards are generally well-seen. Anything lower than 750mm risks being out of the driver's eye line and below the height of the vehicle itself.
The taller the bollards are the more likely they are to be seen by drivers and pedestrians. Bollards standing at 1000mm high will be seen in vehicle mirrors and will be less likely to suffer from impacts. Reflective bands will also increase the visibility of the bollards even further. Shorter bollards may suit areas with pedestrian-only activity. However, shorter bollards may also increase trip hazards in the area.
If you require a stronger steel bollard consider a wider option as opposed to a taller option. A wider bollard will provide a sturdier foundation and is much stronger than most thinner options. Sub-surface mounted bollards will also provide increased strength against ramming and impacts from vehicles. This trait is essential for bollards used in warehouse settings, as theft deterrents or in anti-terrorism uses.
How to install bollards
Installing bollards will depend on two main factors -
- The area you are installing the bollard
- The type of bollard you are installing
- Risk assessment of the area
Bolt-down bollards
- Measure the area if installing multiple bollards
- Space bollards out approximately 1 metre apart (or to as per your risk assessment)
- Put bollard in place and mark pre-drilled holes
- Remove bollard and drill holes using appropriate drill bit size
- Place bollard back in position and tighten fixings into place
Removable Bollards and Retractable bollards
- Measure area for the bollard installation
- Dig out the appropriate area for the bollard casing socket to be placed in (approximately 1-foot x 1-foot should suffice)
- Cast the socket in concrete and fill the entire space completely
- Insert the bollard into the socket (pull bollard up into position if retractable)
Five Things You Did Not Know About Bollards
Known by many different names – bollards are also known as posts, bollard posts, parking posts, road bollards, traffic bollards, barrier posts and more.
Powder coating – this is a process in which the bollards are painted using dry powder. The paint is applied electrostatically and dried under heat. Powder-coated paint allows bollards to be more resistant to chips and scratches. In addition, the process provides a more even coat, reduces drip marks on the bollard, and provides excellent long term colour retention.
Hot-dip galvanising – this process involves chemically cleaning the bollards to remove any rust, oil or mill from the structure. Once complete, the bollards lower into a molten hot bath of zinc. The entire process provides a toughened outer layer on the steel. It dramatically reduces the risk of rusting and corrosion compared to standard galvanising.
Highway/Off-Highway rating - bollards can be rated for use on public roads or motorways or for car park or private road use only. It is essential to know where you plan to install the bollards or where your project will be. Highway-rated bollards like the Impact Recovery Systems range are tested against being struck regularly at high speeds and are suitable for UK motorways.
Off-highway bollards like the Flexbrite Flexible Bollards range are more suited to private roads or car parks where they may withstand very low-speed impacts.
304 v 316-grade stainless steel – stainless steel bollards come in two grades – 304 and 316. Aesthetically, there is no apparent difference between the two. However, 316 stainless steel has an additional chemical (molybdenum) that reduces the risk of salt corrosion. This added protection means that the 316 grade is better suited to sea-side environments.