What are Steel Bollards?

Steel bollards are a vertical post made from steel – whether that be galvanised steel or stainless steel.

Steel bollards are an essential part of asset protection, especially in a carpark. They are often used to protect vehicles from encroaching on pedestrian walkways, or from damaging walls, columns, fire hydrants or any other assets that could be damaged by a vehicle. Steel bollards are also commonly used in warehouses and factories, protecting egress or fire exit doors, roller doors and downpipes.

Despite bollards also being manufactured in other materials such as plastic or timber, steel bollards provide the ultimate protection. Some important considerations when choosing the appropriate steel bollard for your project or facility include:

• The wall thickness of the steel bollard – there is many lightweight steel bollards on the market with wall thicknesses of between 2mm - 3.5mm. These bollards are very weak and, in most cases, will not provide adequate protection. Ask for Area Safe’s 5mm wall steel bollards!
• The bollard diameter – Area Safe provide a range of diameters from 75mm through to 220mm. It is important to consider the level of protection you are trying to achieve and choose the right diameter accordingly.
• The height of the bollard – Steel Bollards from Area Safe also come in a variety of heights. The most common height is 1200mm but they also come in 900mm, 1000mm and 1300mm. custom lengths are available upon request. Note: if you are requiring a bollard for a disabled shared space, it must be 1300mm high to comply to DDA & Australian Standard requirements. Ask for our 115mm x 1300mm Yellow Base Plate Bollard (08-SF115BP).
• The grade of stainless steel on a stainless steel bollards – Stainless Steel bollards are used for 2 reasons – the aesthetics or the corrosion resistance. If you are choosing stainless steel bollards for the corrosion resistance, it is important to ensure your bollard is 316 grade stainless. Often 304 grade (or less) is not adequate enough protection, especially when installed near salt water. Ensure you ask for Area Safe’s 316 grade stainless steel bollards (all our range is 316 grade). For more information on stainless steel grade differences see here.
• The size of the base plate on the steel bollard – Another important strength (or weak) point of a steel bollard is the base plate. Some manufacturers make square base plates that are only 25% larger than the diameter of the bollard. Ensure that the base plate of your steel bollard is a minimum of 50% larger than the diameter of the bollard. Most of Area Safe’s bollard base plates are more than double the diameter of the bollard itself. This gives it more leverage and strength if the bollard is hit.
• The position of the steel bollard – it is important when installing to keep steel bollards far enough away from assets like fire hydrants or doors. If hit, they will slow or stop a vehicle down but still may bend over. Therefore, if they are installed too close to the asset they are protecting it could still cause damage.